The Water News Collectives

From Northeast India (March 2025).

Key highlights of the months:

• Assam: The Jal Shakti Ministry noted nearly 50% safe drinking water coverage in rural areas, but low rainfall strained reservoirs.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Industrial emissions raised water resource concerns alongside hydropower debates.
• Meghalaya: A healthcare facility’s near net-zero electricity status showcased sustainable practices with potential water benefits.
• Manipur: Protests against pollution in Imphal West underscored broader water management needs.
• Nagaland: Community-led efforts to conserve indigenous fish species gained momentum.
• Mizoram: A new railway link could enhance water infrastructure access.
• Tripura: Rural water challenges were tackled under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Sikkim: Talks on sustainable water management emerged ahead of its 50th Statehood Day.

March 2, 2025: Arunachal Pradesh Achieves 100% Jal Jeevan Mission Saturation
Arunachal Pradesh became the first northeastern state to achieve 100% rural tap water connections, credited to the Public Health Engineering Department and local committees. The Arunachal Jal Sankalp Yojna extends coverage further. Source: NE India Broadcast

March 5, 2025: Assam Faces Seasonal Water Shortages Amid Delayed Irrigation Projects:  Rural Assam grappled with water scarcity as delayed irrigation projects left farmers in Kamrup district struggling to water early spring crops. Below-average rainfall worsened conditions, prompting protests and calls for urgent government action.Sources: Hindustan Times; Asomiya Pratidin

March 12, 2025: Meghalaya’s Umiam Lake Pollution Worsens, Threatens Water Supply: Umiam Lake, Shillong’s vital drinking water source, faced escalating pollution from waste dumping and industrial runoff. Public outrage grew, with environmentalists and residents demanding immediate measures to avert a health crisis. Sources: The Indian Express; Mawphor

March 18, 2025: Tripura Launches New Water Conservation Initiative Amid Regional Tensions: Tripura unveiled a water conservation program targeting rural water stress, set against regional debates sparked by Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus’ remarks on Northeast India’s landlocked challenges. The initiative aims to bolster water access amid geopolitical concerns. Sources: NDTV; Syandan Patrika

March 25, 2025: Arunachal Pradesh Hydro Project Faces Protests Over Water Diversion: Tribal communities, including Adi tribe leaders, protested a proposed Siang River hydroelectric dam, fearing water diversion would disrupt downstream agriculture and livelihoods. Calls for environmental impact assessments intensified. Sources: India Today; Arun Bhoomi

March 29, 2025: Manipur’s Loktak Lake Water Levels Drop, Sparking Fishermen’s Concerns: A sharp decline in Loktak Lake’s water levels—attributed to erratic rainfall and upstream mismanagement—threatened fishermen’s livelihoods. Experts and locals urged swift conservation efforts for Manipur’s largest freshwater lake. Sources: Hindustan Times; Poknapham

March 22, 2025: Assam Surpasses 75% Tap Water Coverage Under Jal Jeevan Mission
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated Assam’s achievement of over 75% household tap water coverage during the Vikas Yatra, boosting rural access to clean water. Yet, critically low reservoir levels signal ongoing challenges.  Source: India Today NE

March 2025: Meghalaya Sets Goal for 100% Water Coverage by March 2025: With 81.39% completion by December 2024, Meghalaya’s PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak aims to finalize the Jal Jeevan Mission by month’s end, despite pollution threats to key water sources like Umiam Lake. Source: Hub Network
 

March 2025: Tripura Eyes Full Rural Water Coverage by March 31, 2025: Chief Minister Manik Saha reported 83.13% rural households with piped water as of September 2024, with efforts focusing on hilly areas to hit 100% coverage soon. Source: Tripura Chronicle

March 2025: Arunachal Plans 35 Hydropower Projects (570.75 MW): Arunachal Pradesh announced 35 small hydropower projects to generate 570.75 MW, promising ₹7,000 crore in investment and 7,500 jobs—though local protests highlight environmental trade-offs. Source: HELM News.

The Water Paradox of Northeast India

Despite averaging 2,500 mm of rainfall annually and hosting the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, Northeast India faces persistent water scarcity. Rapid runoff in hilly terrains, inadequate infrastructure, and poor management—flagged by NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index—create a stark contrast with arid regions like Rajasthan, where scarcity drives tailored solutions. Blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern science could transform the region into a model for climate-resilient water governance.

Looking Ahead

March 2025 showcased Northeast India’s dual narrative: progress in water access alongside ecological and social challenges. As states race toward Jal Jeevan Mission goals and grapple with hydropower and pollution issues, April promises more updates. Stay connected with NEIWT for the latest water stories!