Over 100 households in Langol hill range are dependent on natural springs for water and food security.

The trend of filling up ponds for development or housing activities has resulted in water scarcity in urban areas of Imphal valley in Manipur.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said every Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) irrespective of the date of its commission, is under an obligation to release minimum water downstream.

'Working in a healthcare facility without water, sanitation and hygiene is akin to sending nurses and doctors to work without personal protective equipment'.

Environmentalists in Manipur, in conversation with IFP, pointed out the need to dig into the root cause of water problem, saying hill people are not responsible for degrading of forest areas that has destroyed water sources in the state.