A project to conserve and restore the catchment areas of the Barak River and its tributaries will be launched across eight districts of Mizoram, officials announced in a meeting held in Khawzawl on Thursday.
The meeting, titled “Conservation & Restoration of Catchment Areas of Barak River in the States of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland,” took place at the DC Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner K. Vanlalthiana. Senior Manager Rajkhungur Basumatary of the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCORMS) presented the project’s scope and proposed activities.
The initiative will be financed by the Government of India and the German development bank KfW, and implemented through the North Eastern Council (NEC) with NERCORMS acting as the executing agency. In Mizoram, the project will cover the districts of Aizawl, Champhai, Mamit, Lunglei, Serchhip, Kolasib, Saitual and Khawzawl.
Officials cited improper land use, inadequate watershed management and a lack of coordination as key factors contributing to flooding, landslides and other problems in the Barak River system. The project aims to protect forests, wildlife and water resources while improving the livelihoods of farmers in the catchment areas.
During the session, line departments were instructed to gather and submit the data required for the project. NERCORMS officials are scheduled to return to Mizoram from October 12 to 16, 2026, to conduct field inspections in Khawzawl district and meet with relevant government officials.
