By: Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, April 15:
In a region where water scarcity is a mounting crisis, Lunghar village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district has emerged as a beacon of hope. The successful implementation of a pioneering “Springshed” pilot project at WATA/WADA in the Phangrei range has turned a once water-stressed village into a model of sustainable water management and community-driven environmental revival.
Initiated in 2021 under the State Action Plan of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur, this project is one of the first of its kind in the state. The transformation witnessed in Lunghar offers a practical, scalable solution for hundreds of other villages across the hilly terrains of Manipur battling water scarcity.
From Desperation to Gratitude: A Village Transformed:
Before the project took root, Lunghar villagers—especially women—woke as early as 3 a.m. to fetch water from distant sources, often returning home late into the night. With water pipelines defunct and reservoirs insufficient, daily life revolved around the constant hunt for clean water.
Today, thanks to the Springshed initiative, every drop tells a story of change. “There is no more 3 a.m. water duty,” said Ql. Shinglei Kazingmei a village lass with a smile of relief. “We finally feel secure.” “Earlier, we would sleep past midnight fetching water. Now, our burden is eased. We’re truly thankful to the Department of Environment and Climate Change for choosing our village.”
A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainability:
This groundbreaking project was made possible through the collaboration of several national and international agencies like Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM), Pune, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Mountain Indigenous Knowledge Centre (MIKC), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur
The project also saw proactive involvement from Lunghar’s youth, village authorities, church bodies, and women’s societies, setting an excellent example of participatory governance and community stewardship.
What Makes Lunghar Springshed Project Unique?
During a recent spot visit by a team of journalists from Ukhrul, the project site at WATA/WADA left a lasting impression. Hidden amidst dense woods, the soft, perpetual flow of spring water could be heard long before it was seen—a testament to the success of the recharge efforts.
Here are some of the tangible developments and scientific interventions that shaped this success:
18 Crib Structures constructed to hold soil and slow down runoff, enabling water infiltration..; 2 Spring Discharge Measuring Instruments, using V-notch weirs, constantly monitored via ITI Roorkee.
2500+ Trees planted over 3.2 hectares to revive forest cover and improve aquifer recharge ; 600 Metres of Barbed Wire Fencing to protect the recharge zone from wild animals and deforestation; 45 Loose Boulder Check Dams built across upper hill slope streams to slow surface water runoff and recharge groundwater.
Installation of an Automatic Weather Station monitored by ITI Roorkee for hydrological data. This integrated approach reflects the project’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and technological precision.
The Science Behind the Spring:
Springshed management focuses on protecting and reviving the aquifers—natural underground layers of water-bearing rock—that feed springs. In the case of Lunghar, the springs are fed by the Phangrei mountain range, a natural water reservoir that also supplies the Ukhrul district headquarters.
At the heart of the project lies a robust monitoring system. Every 15 days, sensor applications measure the water flow, with data transmitted directly to IIT Roorkee. Even in the dry lean season, the spring delivers 10 litres of clean water every 24 seconds—an incredible outcome given the earlier situation.
Two trained Community Resource Persons (CRPs) from Lunghar are responsible for maintaining the instruments and data logging, ensuring local ownership and continuity of the effort.
Lunghar’s Water System at a Glance:
1.5 Lakh-Litre Reservoir Tank this tank will store and distribute spring water to all 550 households. Water Filter Tank: Soon to be activated once the reservoir becomes operational.
Pipelines to Localities: Water is already being supplied to different localities from the main devitor points.
Regular Water Quality Testing: On-site tests during the journalist visit included pH, TDS, heavy metals, oxygen saturation, and temperature.
Community Voices and Gratitude:
Eno. Mataisang Lungharwo, headman of Lunghar village, expressed his deep gratitude to Dr. Brajakumar, Director of Environment and Climate Change, for bringing this life-changing project to Lunghar. “Today, water reaches every courtyard, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the active cooperation of our villagers and the visionary support from the department,” he said.
Youth leader Eno. Ihao, who mobilized village youths during the conservation effort, pointed out how years of spring degradation had forced many to abandon agriculture and fish farming in the lower hill ranges. “But now, our dream to revive our springs has come true,” he said proudly.
Eli Thingreiphy of MIKC, one of the local champions of the project, underscored the ecological impact: “Reviving springs doesn’t just solve a local issue. It rejuvenates rivers, strengthens ecosystems, and builds resilience against climate change.”
Why Lunghar Was Chosen:
According to Gainamei, project officer of the Environment and Climate Change Department, Lunghar was selected after in-depth geological and hydro-geological profiling. “The Phangrei mountain range is not only a rich aquifer zone but also a key water source for surrounding regions including Ukhrul town,” he explained.
He added that across Manipur’s hill districts, over 60% of springs are depleting, posing a grave threat to communities. “Springs are the origin of rivers. If we save them, we save our future.”
Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts:
The Lunghar pilot project is not just a technical success—it’s a blueprint for holistic development. Among the notable outcomes:
Improved Water Quality: With catchment protection and reduced contamination.
Increased Groundwater Recharge: Thanks to afforestation and check dams.
Eco-Restoration: Enhanced green cover around the springshed.
Economic Relief: Households no longer depend on expensive private water tankers.
Reduced Burden on Women: Empowering women with time and energy saved from fetching water.
Lessons and the Road Ahead:
The success of Lunghar’s WATA Springshed Pilot Project offers valuable lessons:
Community Involvement is Key: Projects thrive when locals are empowered and engaged.
Science and Indigenous Knowledge Must Work Together: Integrating technology with traditional land stewardship yields better outcomes.
Decentralized Governance Ensures Sustainability: Local institutions must play a central role in managing resources.
Scalability is Possible: With a little commitment and inter-agency collaboration, the Lunghar model can be replicated across Manipur’s 90% hill villages suffering from water woes.
A Rare Model Worth Replicating:
As climate change accelerates and natural water sources dry up, the Lunghar Springshed model offers a way forward. It is not just about water—it is about resilience, community empowerment, and ecological revival. Lunghar, once a thirsty village, now quenches not only its own needs but also the aspirations of an entire region.
As the world grapples with water insecurity and the specter of climate displacement, Lunghar stands as a living classroom for how to fight back—not with concrete and pipes alone, but with forests, knowledge, unity, and care.
In the cool breeze of Lunghar’s hills, where once women trudged in darkness with empty pots, now flows a rhythm of life—a rhythm restored, resilient, and ready for the future.
(This Article is written under the joint initiative of Ukhrul District Working Journalist Association and Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maniour)
