MANIPUR STATE CLIMATE CHANGE CELL

As a pioneer initiative of the State Government to combat climate change, the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Manipur, as State Nodal Agency for Climate Change, established the State Climate Change Cell in the year 2012. The Cell has been strengthened under the project “Strengthening of the State Climate Change Cell of Manipur’ with support from the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India since October 2014 aligning with National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The second phase of the Project ended in March 2026.

The primary objective of Cell is to “develop a resource base climate information network and sustainable capacity for continuous assessment of the ecosystem health so as to enable in policy formulation and implementation of climate sensitive activities”. It worked as a research – advisory – coordinating unit on Manipur State’s climate change issues in a single-window contact dealing with the state government line departments and other external agencies as a multi-stakeholder platform.

Some of the specific objectives of the Cell are:

  • To undertake detailed study for assessment of vulnerability and risk in respect of climate change and its impact at district /block/village scales.
  • Institutional capacity building and R&D for data base/information/knowledge generation
  • Organisation of training programmes, schools, workshops, hands on training for stakeholders including legislatures, Government officials, researchers, community-based organisations etc.
  • Organising public awareness programmes for the community
  • Undertake or support R&D programmes 

Activities of the Manipur State Climate Change Cell:

A) RESEARCH

  • MIS on Climate related information / sectors
  • Current climate District level Vulnerability Assessment using DST-SDC Common framework
  • Historical Climate Trends [1985-2020] and Climate Change Projections by 2030s and 2080s at the district level for Manipur
  • Climate change impact studies for Water, Agriculture and Forests Sector
  • Climate Risk Assessment for Flood and Drought
  • Publication of quarterly Newsletter
  • Springshed identification and Mapping
Pic: Measuring spring discharge

B) POLICY

  • Publication of Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) Version 2 [2020-2030]
  • Publication of “Springs of Manipur Version 1” (2025)
  • State level Media Fellowship on Climate Change Reporting (the 6th Fellowship: 2026-27)
  • Indian Himalayan Region Climate Change Conclave (October 2025)
Pic: Hon’ble Governor of Manipur during the Climate Conclave

C) ACTION

1. Climate Action at Climate Resilient Villages

  • Revival of Critical Springs through a pilot project at Lunghar village, Ukhrul district, supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with partner of ICIMOD, Advanced Center for Water Resource Development and Management (ACWADAM) and IIT
  • Intervention activities for Water security and Climate Resilience at at Hoomi, Ukhrul district.
Pic: Crib Structures at the spring site

2. Inventory of 846 springs at different district of Manipur

3. Installation of 16 nos. of Automated Weather Station (AWS) and 20 nos. of Telemetric Rain-gauge station at different locations of the state.

4. Water Body at foot hill & treated water supply

Pic: Newly installed Rain-gauge station
Pic: Spring source water supply system at Phayeng, Imphal West

Training and Capacity Building

  • Regular capacity building and Interaction workshop every month on Climate Change reporting to the editors, reporters, etc.

  • Regular capacity building on climate change adaptation and mitigation to the Nodal officers

  • Periodic training on Climate Resilient Springshed Management for different stakeholders to ensure community water security and enhancing e-flow of rivers

Pic: Consultation workshop for Media Fellows
Pic: Trainees interacting with expert from ACWADAM, Pune on Springshed management

Workshop and awareness programmes

  • Interaction Programme on Climate Change Impacts on different sectors