As drying springs increasingly threaten water security and rural livelihoods across Manipur, the 3rd Inter-Departmental Round Table Conference on Springshed Management brought together policymakers, academics and technical experts to push for coordinated, science-based solutions.
The conference was held on Monday at Dhanamanjuri University (DMU), Imphal, and was jointly organised by DM University and the Forest Department, Government of Manipur.
Focus on a Growing Crisis
Opening the conference, speakers noted that springs remain a primary source of drinking water for many hill and rural communities in Manipur. However, unplanned land use, deforestation, climate variability and lack of integrated planning have led to declining discharge and seasonal drying of springs in several districts.
The event aimed to move beyond isolated departmental efforts and instead promote springshed management — a holistic approach that looks at the entire catchment area feeding a spring, rather than the spring outlet alone.
Leadership and Participation
The inaugural session was graced by Prof. W. Chandbabu Singh, Vice-Chancellor of DM University, as Chief Guest. In his address, he emphasised the role of universities in generating locally relevant scientific data, training young researchers and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
The session was presided over by Shri L. Joykumar Singh, Project Director of COSFOM and Chief Conservator of Forests, who underlined the Forest Department’s experience in watershed and landscape-level interventions. He stressed that protecting springs is inseparable from forest conservation, soil stability and sustainable land use.
Shri Y. Homendro Singh, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, attended as Guest of Honour and highlighted the need for engineering solutions to be aligned with ecological realities, especially in fragile hill terrains.
Key Themes and Discussions
Discussions during the round table revolved around four core pillars:
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Inter-departmental coordination: Participants acknowledged that fragmented approaches often dilute impact. Effective springshed management requires alignment between forest, water resources, rural development, agriculture and academic institutions.
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Scientific planning: Experts called for detailed mapping of recharge zones, hydro-geological assessments and long-term monitoring of spring discharge to guide interventions.
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Community participation: Speakers repeatedly stressed that springs can only be revived and sustained if local communities are involved in protection measures such as land-use regulation, plantation and maintenance.
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Sustainable livelihoods: Beyond drinking water, healthy springs support agriculture, livestock and allied activities. Reviving springs therefore directly contributes to income security and resilience.
Role of Academia
A key outcome of the conference was the emphasis on academic collaboration. Faculty members and researchers from DM University highlighted ongoing studies on water cycles, soil conservation and climate adaptation, proposing closer integration of research findings into government programmes.
Participants agreed that universities can serve as knowledge hubs, supporting departments with data, training modules and pilot models that can be scaled across the state.
Looking Ahead
The conference concluded with a shared understanding that addressing the springs crisis requires long-term commitment rather than short-term projects. Participants called for regular inter-departmental platforms, field-level convergence and sustained engagement with local communities.
As Manipur faces increasing pressure on its natural water systems, the round table served as a reminder that water security is not just a technical issue, but a governance and community challenge — one that demands collective action.