More than half of Manipur’s natural springs in the hill districts have dried up or are in the process of drying, triggering an ecological crisis that has disrupted the state’s hydrology and intensified water scarcity across both hill and valley regions.
Official assessments indicate that nearly 52 per cent of hill springs-long regarded as lifelines for rural and tribal communities, have either disappeared or are failing, transforming once-perennial rivers into seasonal flows and placing sustained pressure on drinking water and irrigation systems.
Against this backdrop, the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC) has mapped over 1,000 springs across the state, identifying 173 critical springs in Ukhrul and Noney districts for revival under a pilot springshed management scheme.
Principal Secretary (Forest, Environment and Climate Change) Arun Kumar Sinha said the initiative reflects growing recognition that springshed management is crucial in fragile hill ecosystems, where deforestation and unscientific land use have accelerated environmental degradation.
Manipur lost an estimated 18,000 to 21,000 hectares of forest cover between 2021 and 2025, a trend that experts say has directly contributed to landslides, declining groundwater recharge and the drying up of springsheds.
Sinha said the Centre has allocated Rs 2,700 crore nationwide for springshed management, with several projects already underway across different regions, including the Northeast.
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Beyond springs, the DoECC has also mapped 71 wetlands in Manipur. Of these, three wetlands have been formally notified, while four are undergoing rejuvenation, as part of a broader effort to restore water bodies and strengthen climate resilience.
The principal secretary stressed that environmental conservation must move beyond policy statements to concrete action, warning that unchecked development could push hill towns and fragile landscapes beyond sustainable limits. He cited examples from other hill regions, including Shimla and parts of Uttarakhand, where rapid urbanisation has placed severe strain on natural resources.
In Manipur, road construction, deforestation and changing land-use patterns have compounded water stress, with landslides and drinking water shortages emerging as recurring challenges. Officials said the state has already initiated rejuvenation work on the Imphal River as part of its wider river and watershed restoration programme.
Sinha emphasised that safeguarding natural resources is a collective responsibility and that afforestation, sustainable land use and community participation are essential to protecting livelihoods while preserving the environment for future generations.
He also underlined the role of the media in raising awareness about threats to water bodies, forests and ecosystems, and in disseminating information on conservation efforts underway, particularly in a state facing increasing climate and ecological vulnerability.
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