C. R. Paatil Chairs NERIWALM Governing Body Meeting, Emphasises Scientific Water Management in Northeast

Before the formal proceedings began, Shri C. R. Paatil virtually inaugurated the newly constructed International Hostel-cum-Guest House of NERIWALM.

The 6th Meeting of the Governing Body of the North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM) was held in Guwahati under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Paatil, who also serves as President of the Governing Body of the institute.

NERIWALM, functioning under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, plays a key role in strengthening water and land management practices across the North Eastern Region.

The meeting reviewed the institute's achievements, approved key institutional proposals, and discussed future strategies aimed at enhancing scientific water management, research, training and sustainable development in the region.

International Hostel-cum-Guest House Inaugurated

Before the formal proceedings began, Shri C. R. Paatil virtually inaugurated the newly constructed International Hostel-cum-Guest House of NERIWALM.

Officials described the facility as a major step towards improving the institute's infrastructure and academic environment.

The new hostel and guest house are expected to support:

• Researchers and scholars;

• National and international trainees;

• Academic collaborations, and

• Capacity-building programmes.

The inauguration reflects the institute's growing role as a regional centre of excellence in water and land management studies.

Governing Body Reviews Institutional Progress

During the meeting, the Governing Body reviewed NERIWALM's achievements and approved several important institutional matters.

The Body approved:

• The Annual Report for FY 2024–25, and

• The Audited Accounts for the financial year.

Members appreciated the institute's continued progress in:

• Capacity building;

• Academic programmes;

• Research activities, and

• Technical outreach initiatives.

Officials noted that NERIWALM has increasingly expanded its role in supporting water management and irrigation-related research in the North Eastern Region.

Institute Exceeds Training Targets

The Governing Body highlighted that NERIWALM exceeded its annual training targets during the year.

According to officials, the institute organised:

• 71 training programmes;

• Benefitting more than 2,800 participants.

The training programmes covered various themes related to:

• Water resource management;

• Irrigation systems;

• Land management;

• Watershed development;

• Climate resilience, and

• Sustainable agricultural practices.

NERIWALM also continued its specialised academic programmes, including:

• M.Tech. in Water Resource Management, and

• Ph.D. programmes related to water and land management.

Governance Reforms and Academic Strengthening Discussed

The Governing Body deliberated on several proposed amendments to the Memorandum of Association (MoA) of the institute.

Important proposals discussed included:

• Conducting Achievement Review Committee assessments every three years instead of five years, and

• Renaming the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as the Academic Advisory Committee (AAC).

Officials said these reforms are intended to strengthen academic governance, improve institutional monitoring and enhance operational efficiency.

Expansion of Research and Externally Funded Projects

The meeting also reviewed NERIWALM's expanding involvement in externally funded research projects and technical studies.

Key projects discussed included studies related to:

• Sustainable irrigation development in Assam;

• Economic impacts of Brahmaputra water diversion;

• Water harvesting planning, and

• Traditional water management practices in North East India.

Officials highlighted the importance of such studies in supporting evidence-based policymaking and sustainable water management in the region.

Proposal for Irrigation Field Laboratory and Demonstration Farm

One of the major agenda items was the proposal to establish an Irrigation Field Laboratory and Demonstration Farm at NERIWALM.

The proposed facility is expected to:

• Enhance field-based research;

• Demonstrate modern irrigation technologies;

• Promote practical training, and

• Support dissemination of advanced water management techniques.

Experts said the initiative would strengthen the institute's ability to provide hands-on technical support to farmers, engineers, researchers and policymakers in the region.

Focus on Climate Studies and GIS Applications

The Governing Body also discussed strengthening NERIWALM's research capabilities in advanced scientific areas such as:

• Climate studies;

• GIS-based applications;

• Water resource modelling, and

• Sustainable land-use planning.

Recommendations were also considered regarding:

• Scholarship support for M.Tech. and Ph.D. students;

• Faculty development initiatives, and

• Strengthening specialised research infrastructure.

Officials emphasised that advanced technological tools and scientific research are increasingly necessary for addressing emerging water management challenges linked to climate change and environmental degradation.

Brahmaputra Valley Erosion Study Reviewed

The meeting also reviewed findings of an important study focusing on livelihood challenges faced by erosion-affected families in the Brahmaputra Valley.

River erosion remains one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic challenges in Assam and several parts of Northeast India.

The study examined issues related to:

• Displacement of families;

• Loss of agricultural land;

• Livelihood insecurity, and

• Rehabilitation challenges.

The Governing Body deliberated on sustainable rehabilitation measures and livelihood interventions for communities affected by riverbank erosion.

Jal Shakti Minister Emphasises Scientific Water Management

Speaking during the meeting, Union Minister Shri C. R. Paatil stressed the importance of:

• Scientific water management;

• Capacity building;

• Technological advancement, and

• Greater engagement with state governments.

He said the North Eastern Region faces unique environmental and water resource challenges that require coordinated planning and scientific solutions.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Jal Shakti's commitment to strengthening NERIWALM as a centre of excellence in water and land management.

Meeting Concludes with Vote of Thanks

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Uzzal Mani Hazarika, Director of NERIWALM and Member Secretary of the Governing Body.

Officials expressed confidence that the decisions and initiatives discussed during the meeting would further strengthen sustainable water management, research and institutional capacity-building efforts across the North Eastern Region.