In partnership with North East India Water Talks (NEIWT), the Center for Social Work Studies (CSWS) at Dibrugarh University concluded a comprehensive seven-day water training program from October 22 to October 28. Forty MSW students from the five Northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura participated in the program, which was sponsored by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, New Delhi Office, and the North East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS).
The week’s combination of expert lectures, group projects, and practical field experience was intended to enhance participants’ comprehension of the social, ecological, and policy aspects of water. Urban water management and rainwater harvesting, groundwater contamination, aquatic biodiversity, water and disasters, gendered water concerns, climate-water links, and community-based water strategies were just a few of the many topics covered in the sessions. Prof. Dolly Phukan, dean of Dibrugarh University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, gave a hearty welcome to the program.
Dr. Monuj Dutta, Assistant Professor at CSWS and convenor, highlighted the need for community-driven water solutions in the Northeast. Experts like Vishwanath Srikantaiah, Dr. Partha Jyoti Das, Prof. Chandan Kumar Sharma, and others led sessions. A field visit to Dodhiya village in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park offered insights into local water livelihoods and adaptation strategies. The programme concluded with participant reflections and proposals for community-based water initiatives.