For two days in mid-August, Kohima Science College became a forum where scientists, policy thinkers, and students wrestled with one of the region’s most pressing challenges: water. The workshop, held on August 19 and 20 under the theme “Understanding Water Challenges and Community Solutions and Building Resilience Through Sustainable and Inclusive Water Practices”, underscored the urgency of community-led approaches to secure water resources in the Northeast.

The program was organized by the North East India Water Talks (NEIWT) in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Kohima Science College with North East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), Heinrich Böll Stiftung (HBS) and Centre for Social Work Studies, Dibrugarh University as a key partner. It drew resource persons from across India, alongside an attentive student audience students from Kohima Science College, St. Joseph’s College Jakhama, Sazolie College, Don Bosco College, Model Higher Secondary School, Highland Institute, and Dibrugarh University. Around 140 students and experts were present for the two days.

Day One: Forests, water, and lived realities

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Ruokuovikho Dominic, Assistant Professor of Zoology at Kohima Science College, and included a keynote address by Dr. Temjenwabang, Principal of Kohima Science College. He highlighted Kohima’s growing water scarcity and emphasized the importance of blending local wisdom with scientific knowledge to find future solutions.

Dr. Manoj Dutta, Asistant Profesor from the Centre for Social Work Studies, Dibrugarh University, outlined the workshop’s objectives, stressing the urgent need for water sustainability. He reminded us that water is not just a resource, but a part of our identity and generational heritage. His message was clear: this workshop is a “Call for Action” to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.

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Supongnukshi, Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary of the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board, reflected on the link between forest ecosystems and water security in a changing climate. His message was reinforced by Dr. Partha Jyoti Das, environmental scientist and head of the Water, Climate and Hazard Division at Aranyak, who provided an overview of Northeast India’s water challenges and the vulnerabilities created by erratic rainfall and rapid urbanization.

The thematic sessions moved into ground realities. KK Chatradhara, river activist and social researcher, and Dr. Manish Kumar radiologist-naturalist, explored contamination, waterborne diseases, and global health responses. Amenu Richa of the North East Initiative of Development Agency (NEIDA) presented indigenous practices and innovations in spring-shed management from Nagaland.

The plenary on Participatory Water Governance was moderated by Thomas Malsom, NEIWT researcher and storyteller, alongside Dr. Lilongchem Thyug, Associate Professor of Zoology, Kohima Science College. The panel featured Ravindranath, founder of Rural Volunteer Centre in Assam; and Sanat Chakraborty, journalist and researcher.
The day closed with a session where the house shared success stories of community-led rejuvenation of rivers. Journalist Chakraborty stressed the role of Nagaland’s Communitisation Programme in bridging governance with community action.

Day Two: Rights, resilience, and practical blueprints

The morning session of the second day was chaired by Luiluile Lungalang, Assistant Professor of Zoology at Kohima Science College, and featured a talk by Dr. Partha Jyoti Das on climate change, water security, and adaptive strategies.

One of the most anticipated interventions came from Eklavya Prasad, founder of Megh Pyne Abhiyan in North Bihar and Jharkhand. His talk, Rain as Resource: Decentralized Harvesting for Water Security, drew on grassroots work with marginalized communities. Prasad urged participants-particularly the students-to see rainfall as a “community-owned asset” and to design decentralized harvesting structures that buffer against both drought and groundwater depletion. His session culminated in group activities, initiated by Thomas Malsom, where students drafted action plans for water body protection and rainwater harvesting tailored to Nagaland’s context.

Later, Dr. Philippe Cullet, Professor of International and Environmental Law at SOAS University of London and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, addressed the theme “Who Owns Water?” He pressed participants to reconsider questions of ownership, equity, and access to water, calling for water governance that prioritizes rights and justice.

Kevileto Rote, from the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Nagaland, demonstrated effective farming linked water conservation practices.

The session on Action Plan & Advocacy was moderated by Tosang Chang of NEIWT and Chiratho M. Nyuwi, Associate Professor of Zoology at Kohima Science College. Panellists included Mrinal Gohain, Regional Manager and National Senior Lead at Action Aid’s Northeast Regional Office, Ramananda Wangkheirakpam, environmental activist and researcher with NEIWT and Dr. Mirza Zulfiqar Rahman, Programme Coordinator and Research Associate at the Heinrich Böll Regional Office, New Delhi. They emphasized on amplifying community voices in water policies. The panelist underscored the urgent need to democratize water governance and resist the commodification of water.

Student engagement: From listeners to actors

Students from Kohima Science College, St. Joseph’s College Jakhama, Sazolie College, Don Bosco College, Model Higher Secondary School, Highland Institute, and Dibrugarh University played an active role in group exercises and drafting sessions.

Many described the experience as transformative-an opportunity to connect technical lectures with practical strategies.

The students during their group presentation proposed grassroots strategies ranging from awareness to vocational water education.

Closing: A call to carry momentum forward

The valedictory session featured reflections and certificates  distribution. Dr. Katasinliu Remmei, Associate Professor and head of the Department of Zoology, Kohima Science College, closed the workshop by praising the collaborative spirit and urging participants to carry the momentum back to their communities.

By the end of the two days, the discussions had shifted from abstract debates to practical blueprints. From forest ecosystems to legal frameworks, from decentralized rain harvesting to student-led advocacy, the workshop illustrated how security in Nagaland and the wider Northeast can only be safeguarded when science, governance, and community participation meet on the same ground.