A Springshed Moment For Water Security In The Northeast

For years, Mr C Rothuama's day began and ended with water. A farmer from Vanhne village in Mizoram, the 47-year-old relied on the village spring for his household and livelihood. But as the village's springs began to dry up, especially during the lean season between December and April, securing enough water became a daily struggle.

The Greater Aizawl Water Supply scheme was not enough to meet the family's needs. Like many others in the village, Rothuama and his family often had to walk long distances to fetch water, carrying heavy loads back home. Over time, the physical strain took its toll, leaving him with chronic back and joint pain.

Mr C Rothuama's experience reflects a growing challenge across the hilly regions of Northeast India. Communities here have traditionally depended on numerous springs across the region for their daily water needs. However, changing rainfall patterns, seismic activity, rising temperatures, deforestation, and unsustainable land-use practices have caused many of these to shrink or dry up, threatening livelihoods and local ecosystems.

For villages like Vanhne, the consequences are far-reaching. Shortages affect drinking water and household needs as well as agriculture and livestock-based livelihoods. When this happens, families are often left with difficult choices, including migrating in search of more secure living conditions. 

Mr Rothuama, who had witnessed the spring gradually dry up, was keen to join the initiative. NEIDA trained him to be a Para-Hydrogeologist. Through training in spring discharge measurement, rainfall monitoring, data collection, and community mobilisation, he gained the knowledge and skills needed to understand and address the water challenges being faced by the local people.

NEIDA also formed and strengthened the Water User Group (WUG) at Vanhne village for ensuring the sustainability of springshed recharge interventions. Social and Behaviour Change Communication tools were used to create awareness amongst the households.

Armed with this new understanding, Mr Rothuama became a key link between the project team and the residents. He helped mobilise villagers to support the implementation of springshed rejuvenation measures, including the construction of staggered contour trenches and dug-out ponds designed to reduce runoff and improve groundwater recharge. Local participation was central to the effort, with villagers contributing labour and providing access to land for the interventions.

Capacity building, participatory planning and awareness activities also equipped the community to sustainably manage spring water resources long after the interventions were completed.

The results have been transformative. Springs that once struggled to provide water through the lean season now flow throughout the year. Measurements taken by Mr Rothuama and the inhabitants of Vanhne under the Springshed Management Initiative recorded a significant increase in discharge, from 6.25 litres per minute in December 2024 to 33.33 litres per minute in 2025. The quality tests also confirmed that the rejuvenated water source was safe for use.

Communities like Vanhne are improving water security while building the knowledge and resilience needed to safeguard their natural resources for generations to come. 

The impact extended beyond water availability. Recognising the importance of protecting the catchment areas that sustain this lifeline, he proposed a tree plantation initiative. In partnership with the Lunglei Forest Division, NEIDA supported the effort, leading to the planting of 100 saplings on World Environment Day 2025 with active participation from the local residents.