**Executive Summary**
On May 19, 2026, Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C. R. Paatil chaired the 6th Governing Body Meeting of NERIWALM in Guwahati to review institutional progress and approve the FY 2024–25 Annual Report and Audited Accounts. The meeting focused on strengthening water and land management in the North Eastern Region through governance reforms, infrastructure expansion, and targeted research. Key highlights included the inauguration of an International Hostel and proposals for new research laboratories and student scholarship supports.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Governance and Institutional Approvals**
* Approved the Annual Report and Audited Accounts for the Financial Year 2024–25.
* Proposed amending the Memorandum of Association (MoA) to conduct Achievement Review Committee assessments every three years instead of five.
* Renamed the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to the Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) to improve academic governance.
**Infrastructure and Capacity Building**
* Virtually inaugurated the new International Hostel-cum-Guest House to enhance academic and infrastructure facilities.
* Reported the successful completion of 71 training programs benefitting over 2,800 participants.
* Proposed the establishment of an Irrigation Field Laboratory and Demonstration Farm to disseminate irrigation technologies in the region.
**Research and Regional Development**
* Reviewed ongoing externally funded projects, including sustainable irrigation in Assam and the economic impacts of Brahmaputra water diversion.
* Deliberated on research findings regarding livelihood challenges and sustainable rehabilitation for erosion-affected families in the Brahmaputra Valley.
* Emphasized the advancement of studies in climate and GIS-based applications for water resource management.
**Academic Enhancements**
* Recommended scholarship support for M.Tech. and Ph.D. students to encourage advanced studies in water resource management.
* Focused on faculty development and strengthening overall research capabilities within the institute.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: NERIWALM Administration and Governance**
**Impact**
The institute will move toward more frequent performance evaluations and a restructured academic advisory framework to ensure better governance.
**Action Required**
Administrators must update the MoA and transition committee structures from TAC to AAC as deliberated.
**Stakeholder: Students and Faculty**
**Impact**
Academic members will benefit from improved on-campus housing, potential new scholarship opportunities, and enhanced research facilities like the proposed irrigation lab.
**Action Required**
Faculty must advance research in climate and GIS applications, while students should prepare for the integration of new scholarship frameworks into their programs.
**Stakeholder: Erosion-Affected Communities in Brahmaputra Valley**
**Impact**
Displaced families and those facing livelihood challenges due to erosion are the subjects of targeted rehabilitation and intervention strategies.
**Action Required**
Relevant regional authorities and NERIWALM must collaborate to implement sustainable livelihood interventions based on the study findings reviewed during the meeting.
**Stakeholder: North Eastern Regional State Governments**
**Impact**
States will see increased engagement and scientific water management support to address emerging regional challenges.
**Action Required**
State agencies must engage more deeply with NERIWALM to adopt irrigation technologies and sustainable water harvesting practices.
Key Entities Referenced
North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM): An institute under the Ministry of Jal Shakti focused on research, capacity building, and academic programs in water and land management.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for water resources development and overseeing the strategic direction of NERIWALM.
Governing Body of NERIWALM: The decision-making body chaired by the Union Minister that reviews achievements and approves institutional matters for the institute.
Memorandum of Association (MoA): The foundational document of NERIWALM that governs institutional assessments and the structure of advisory committees.
North Eastern Region: The primary geographical area of focus for the institute's sustainable irrigation development and water management studies.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C. R. Paatil Chairs
6th Governing Body Meeting of NERIWALM in
Guwahati
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 5:31PM by PIB Delhi
The 6th Meeting of the Governing Body of the North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land
Management (NERIWALM), an institute under the Department of Water Resources, River Development
& Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was held today in Guwahati under
the chairmanship of Shri C. R. Paatil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti and President of the Governing Body,
NERIWALM.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Shri C. R. Paatil virtually inaugurated the newly constructed
International Hostel-cum-Guest House of NERIWALM, marking a significant step towards strengthening
the institute’s infrastructure and academic facilities.
The Governing Body reviewed the institute’s achievements, approved key institutional matters and
deliberated on future strategies for strengthening water and land management in the North Eastern Region.
The Governing Body approved the Annual Report and Audited Accounts for FY 2024–25 and appreciated
NERIWALM’s continued progress in capacity building, research and academic activities.During the year, NERIWALM exceeded its training targets by organising 71 training programmes
benefitting more than 2,800 participants, while continuing its specialised M.Tech. and Ph.D. programmes
in Water Resource Management.
The Governing Body also deliberated on important amendments to the Memorandum of Association
(MoA), including a proposal to conduct Achievement Review Committee assessments every three years
instead of five years, and renaming the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as the Academic Advisory
Committee (AAC) to further strengthen academic governance.
The meeting reviewed NERIWALM’s expanding role in externally funded projects, including studies on
sustainable irrigation development in Assam, economic impacts of Brahmaputra water diversion, water
harvesting planning and traditional water management practices in North East India.
A major agenda item included the proposal for establishment of an Irrigation Field Laboratory and
Demonstration Farm aimed at enhancing research, field demonstrations and dissemination of irrigation
technologies in the region.
The Governing Body also discussed recommendations relating to scholarship support for M.Tech. and
Ph.D. students, faculty development, strengthening research capabilities and advancing studies in climate
and GIS-based applications in water resources management.
Further, the meeting reviewed findings of a significant study on livelihood challenges faced by erosion-
affected families in the Brahmaputra Valley and deliberated on sustainable rehabilitation and livelihood
interventions for displaced communities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister emphasised the importance of scientific water management,
capacity building and greater state engagement to address emerging challenges in the North Eastern
Region. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening NERIWALM’s role as a centre of
excellence in water and land management.The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Uzzal Mani Hazarika, Director,
NERIWALM and Member Secretary of the Governing Body.
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ND/HM
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