The Cause and Effects of Water Shortage in Ukhrul District, Manipur, India

Abstract

Water is an essential element and fundamental natural resources of human survival. It is a vital and inextricable part of human existence for the socio-economic development of the people of Ukhrul district. The methodology employed includes in-depth interviews, questionnaires, discussions, transient walk and field observation. Purposive sampling was used to select the localities and simple random sampling was used to select 500 respondents for the study. Data collected were analysed using SPSS 27. This paper investigated the socio-economic issues hindering water accessibility in Ukhrul town. The identified significant water sources ponds, springs, and the distribution system such as public hydrant, household pipeline and water vendors. The household pipeline in the study areas is not reliable because the water did not flow regularly and the respondents believed that available water is inadequate. Residents face acute water scarcity every year since the majority of the water sources dry up during the dry months from December to May. Scarcity of water has affected the daily lives and residents are now required to procure water from the dry-up ponds. The scarcity has been exacerbated by the population rise, inadequate water sources, lack of infrastructure and most importantly deforestation that has encroached upon habitats and forest cover, exacerbating the effects of climate change. It requires the concerted efforts of stakeholders and community to develop integrated approaches to overcome the multifaceted nature of water scarcity.