Guwahati: A regional workshop on “Himalayan Water Partnership: Strengthening Knowledge, Practice and Partnerships for Springshed Management” was held in Guwahati on wednessday, bringing together experts, government officials, researchers and development organisations from Northeast India and the Himalayan region.
The workshop, organised under the Himalayan Water Partnership, focused on the growing problem of spring degradation and the need for better water management in mountain areas.
The inaugural session featured addresses by Divyang Waghela and Rajesh Thadani, who highlighted the importance of protecting springs, a major source of water for millions of people in the Himalayan and Northeastern regions.
Speaking at the event, Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman of the Centre for Microfinance and Livelihood and Founder of the Balipara Foundation, stressed the need for community participation and ecosystem restoration to ensure long-term water security.
Rabindra Kumar Samal, Principal Secretary (Forests), Government of Tripura, highlighted the role of forests and catchment protection in maintaining groundwater recharge and spring flow.
During the technical sessions, experts discussed groundwater systems, hydrogeology and scientific methods for spring rejuvenation. Himanshu Kulkarni spoke about the hydrogeological characteristics of Northeast India and the importance of understanding springs as groundwater systems.
Other speakers included Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Vinod Kothari, Subash Dhakal and A. Muralidharan, who shared experiences and best practices in springshed management and water conservation.
Participants emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between governments, scientific institutions, development organisations and local communities. They also called for better groundwater governance, scientific spring mapping and greater investment in spring rejuvenation projects.
The workshop concluded with a commitment to develop a regional roadmap for improving water security, enhancing climate resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods across Northeast India through effective springshed management.
