Imphal: The Central Forest Division of the Manipur Forest Department and local non-profit organisation The Indian Orient 2025 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the five-year pilot phase of the ReTreeFy Project Manipur, an initiative aimed at restoring freshwater sources and degraded forest catchments across the Imphal Valley.
The project seeks to improve the region’s long-term ecological health and strengthen water security by protecting springs, restoring forest landscapes and encouraging community participation in conservation efforts.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, along with Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai.
Under the partnership, the Forest Department will provide technical expertise and institutional support, while The Indian Orient 2025 will oversee field-level implementation, scientific studies, community mobilisation and resource mobilisation.
Emphasising the importance of local participation, Bajpai said the initiative should be driven entirely by communities, with residents involved from the initial planning stages.
Ajay Chanam of The Indian Orient 2025 said urgent intervention was necessary to address the deteriorating condition of springs and freshwater systems in the region. He attributed the decline to degraded catchment areas, changes in groundwater recharge patterns, increased surface runoff, recurring floods and severe seasonal water shortages.
During the five-year pilot phase, the project will focus on identifying, protecting and restoring important springsheds that supply water to the Imphal Valley.
The proposed activities include preparing a comprehensive inventory of springs, mapping catchment areas through Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and conducting hydrogeological assessments of groundwater recharge zones and spring discharge patterns.
Field-level conservation measures will include soil and water management interventions such as contour trenches and bunds. The initiative will also undertake riparian afforestation using native tree species to improve the ecological condition of water sources and surrounding landscapes.
Project organisers said all springshed management activities would follow the ACWADAM approach and comply with existing environmental regulations.
The programme will also establish local Water Resource and Conservation Committees to strengthen community-based water management. These bodies will function according to the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring that local residents are involved in decisions concerning their resources.
To encourage local economic participation, village nurseries will be established and residents engaged in producing saplings and maintaining plantations. The initiative is also expected to create livelihood opportunities linked to ecological restoration.
The five-year pilot project is intended to develop a scientifically guided and replicable model that brings together forest conservation, freshwater restoration and community-led resource management.
It will serve as the initial phase of a broader 70-year ecological vision covering the period from 2025 to 2095, conceptualised by The Indian Orient 2025.
The long-term plan aims to regenerate landscapes on a larger scale through the plantation of indigenous fruit-bearing and flowering tree species. Its objectives include protecting regional rivers, generating sustainable income for local communities and promoting nature-based tourism.
Through the ReTreeFy Project, the partners aim to establish a framework in which forest restoration and water conservation are closely linked to community participation and long-term ecological sustainability.