Newsletter on Springshed Management Launch

Ukhrul, June 20: In a significant step towards sustainable water resource management, the Manipur Forest Department, as the Project Executing Agency of the project on Community-based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resources Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM-KfW Project), has launched its first newsletter dedicated to Springshed Management.

“This newly released newsletter highlights the significant efforts undertaken under the COSFOM-KfW Project in Ukhrul, under Ukhrul Forest Division, to engage communities in the protection and conservation of vital water sources through springshed management. It brings into focus the ongoing initiatives, conservation strategies, and success stories emerging from villages across the region.
The newsletter will serve as policy support in the realm of water conservation and natural resource protection,” stated Laishram Gitla, DFO, Ukhrul Forest Division.

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Springshed Revival

Field surveys for hydrogeological mapping have been completed for all 23 project villages in Ukhrul district, and the writing of detailed project reports and digital mapping is ongoing. Physical interventions for the first six project villages (Teinem, Phalee, Lungshang Chingkha, Shangching, Shangshak Phunghon, Tashar) will be completed in one month to benefit from the upcoming monsoon season.

Full coverage of all 23 project villages is targeted for completion by the end of 2025.

Once springshed areas are identified and mapped, physical and biological interventions—including, for example, staggered contour trenches, plantation, percolation tanks, and brushwood check dams—are completed by project beneficiaries under the guidance of project technicians. Physical interventions to capture the rain and direct it into the groundwater system will be undertaken.

Village monitoring teams are instructed and equipped (electronic water tracers, rain gauges) to independently conduct water quality and impact monitoring for their village springs.

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Cooperation with ICIMOD

In cooperation with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a pool of around 40 trainees from State Universities, Institutions, Departments, CSOs, and WRCGs has received a comprehensive introduction to the six-step protocol on springshed management to enable them to act as para-hydrogeologists in the future. Three main training modules have been completed in Imphal, with intermediate online and coaching courses provided continuously.

Capacity-building efforts under this cooperation are not limited to project personnel and project areas but are designed to build up a pool of para-hydrogeologists for a State-wide implementation exceeding the actual project scope and timeframe.

A second package of capacity building, with a specific focus on digital mapping and the use of Geographical Information Systems, is under development.

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State-Level Roundtable

An inter-departmental roundtable on springshed rejuvenation was established in 2024. The roundtable includes representatives from eight Departments/Directorates and three Universities/Institutes, with nine nodal officers appointed to ensure ongoing communication between general meetings. A State roadmap, including a detailed action plan for springshed management, was unanimously approved by all members following the second roundtable meeting in February 2025. The same has been submitted to the State Government for formal adoption and institutionalisation of the roundtable.

By fostering a governance structure that is inclusive, transparent, and action-oriented, the roundtable will contribute significantly to the protection of these critical water sources and the livelihoods of communities dependent on them.

The roundtable on springshed rejuvenation will serve as a science-policy-practitioner interface for the entire State of Manipur.