An Awareness-cum-Focus Group Discussion (FGD) program themed “Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Its Sustainability: An Empirical Study in Nagaland” was held at the Panchayat Hall, Mopungchuket village, on August 2, 2025. The event was organised by the Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, under an ICSSR-funded research project supported by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The program was led by Prof. Ashutosh Tripathi, Project Director and Head of the Department of Environmental Science, NU, along with Co-Project Director Dr. Ashutosh Tripathi; Prof. Ambrish Singh, HoD of Chemistry, NU Lumami; Assistant Professor Nohochem Sangtam, HoD of Environmental Science, Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung; and a core project team member.
Research Assistant Imlirenla moderated the session, which began at 10:30 AM. Arentemsu, Chairman of the village WATSAN Committee, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the village’s proactive role in sustainable water supply.
Prof. Tripathi, in his keynote address, emphasized the transformative role of JJM in enhancing rural water infrastructure and its socio-economic and environmental impacts. The WATSAN Secretary shared the implementation status of JJM in Mopungchuket and ongoing challenges.
Dr. Tripathi gave a presentation on “Community Participation in Water Management,” stressing the importance of stakeholder involvement at the grassroots level.
Nohochem Sangtam explained the study’s objectives and urged for continued community support, thanking the PHED Mokokchung Division for their cooperation during the initial survey phase. He shared that 25 villages in the district will be covered.
Deputy Director of Sports, NU, Dr. Harish Kumar Tiwari, and WATSAN officials also attended. The program concluded with group discussions, water sample collection, and survey questionnaires, laying the groundwork for collaborative, community-based research.
