Imphal, February 25, 2010: Though the normally bluish sky of Manipur present a spectacular reddish hue from blocking of the sun ray by the smoke generated from burning of hillsides in January and March for Jhum cultivation, this primitive agricultural practice has led to increase in loss of forest cover over the years.

�A concept on rainwater management and water security in Manipur', a booklet brought out by the Public health Engineering Department, Government of Manipur, has pointed out that State has been facing shortage of water has a consequence of disturbing the natural water cycle through indiscriminate felling of trees for domestic use and clearing of land for Jhumming , thereby reducing forest cover gradually.

Quoting the report of Forest Survey of India, the booklet pointed out the forest cover recorded a loss of 759 sq km during 1991 to 2001 in Manipur, resulting in an annual average loss of 75.9 sq km of forest cover and about 20 hectares daily.

Of this, loss of forest cover due to shifting/jhum cultivation increased by 64 sq kms during 1991 to 1993. With gradual reduction in forest cover in the hills, there has been corresponding decline in the quantity of rainfall over the years, thus resulting in drying up of river beds and other water bodies during the lean season, the booklet said.

Observing that insufficient rainfall which was experienced during moonson last year was a warning sign that global water crisis will soon become a reality in Manipur if practical long term measures were not adopted to overcome this imminent crisis, the booklet suggested afforestation as well as rain water harvesting as the surest measures towards solving the recurring problem of water crisis at least to some extent.

The booklet pointed out that augmentation of water supply and distribution system of Imphal needs to be taken up in a big way to not only cater to the existing population but also to make provisions for a future expanding population.

The concept also envisages recycling of Loktak's water for distribution as tap water, implementation of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, construction of micro dams as flood control and water storage mechanism for use during dry winter season, promotion of alternative sources of energy and emphasis on income generating schemes in villages close to forests to prevent manufacture of charcoal and other forms of exploitation of forests and its produces among other remedial measures toward water security.

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