Ukhrul, Sept. 27 | EKHON: Tuithā and ENFOGAL observed World Rivers Day 2026 at Lungshang River on Saturday, bringing together school students, college-going youth and community members to reflect on the ecological, cultural and historical significance of rivers and the need for their protection.
The programme, organised around the theme “No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life,” highlighted the importance of the Lungshang River, which is the source of the Thoubal River, one of Manipur’s important river systems.
Tuithā, an initiative working to create spaces for cultural and language learning, and ENFOGAL, an environmental organisation engaged in awareness and conservation, jointly organised the event.
Representing Tuithā, Sareo Leiyachon shared stories and reflections on rivers and water, highlighting their place in community memory and everyday life. Patrick Shangh of ENFOGAL spoke about the importance of rivers and the growing problem of pollution, particularly from plastic and other waste. He also highlighted the role of rivers in regulating water and supporting wider ecosystems.
A key feature of the programme was a storytelling session by Thotya YL Sareng, a local community knowledge keeper from Lungshang. Sareng narrated the history and origins of the Lungshang River and its significance to the people of Lungshang and surrounding communities.
Recalling the river’s past, Sareng spoke of its role in providing electricity to neighbouring villages through a micro-hydroelectric project. He also drew attention to growing threats, including plastic pollution, waste dumping and sand mining in upstream villages, warning of their potential impact on the river and the wider ecosystem.
The programme brought together participants ranging from children as young as seven to college students, alongside community members and others interested in environmental conservation.
Through storytelling, discussion and the sharing of community knowledge, the programme sought to reinforce the understanding that the Lungshang River is more than a water source, it is part of the cultural memory, community life and ecological landscape of the region while also serving as the source of the Thoubal River.
