The North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management was established on 23rd December 1989 as a registered society under the aegis of North Eastern Council, Ministry of Home Affairs (now under Department of Development of North Eastern Region), Government of India. On 1st April,2012 an MoU of transfer was signed between MoWR, RD and GR and NEC and presently NERIWALM is under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt. of India. It works towards generating local specific and problem oriented technologies through its different disciplinary divisions and caters the requirement of all the states of North Eastern Region namely, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Mehgalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Institute made commendable progress in various aspects of water resources management, crop-soil nutrient management, watershed management, mapping of water and land resources, command area development, irrigation and allied sectors. To outreach the people the institute organized dissemination programmes in the form of trainings, workshops and enrich knowledge by organizing seminars and consulting meetings. Since its inception the institute has grown from strength to strength and has gained confidence of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The institute desires to move ahead with more activities as guided by our knowledgeable mentors.

The institute's objectives are given below:

The objectives for which the NERIWALM is established are

• To promote advancement of science and acquisition of scientific knowledge to provide instruction and training in all branches of science both theoretical and applied particularly in Water and land Management for Irrigation and Agriculture.
• To offer quality training programme catering to the needs of regional, national and international clientele like in-service Professionals (i.e. Officers of government Departments like Irrigation/ Water Resources/ Agriculture/ Horticulture. Soil Conservation Rural Development etc. KVKs) farmers, members of Water Users Associations and students.
• To prescribe courses for instruction and training in Water and Land Management for Irrigation and Agriculture and hold examinations and grant certificates, diplomas, degrees etc.
• To seek affiliation of the said Society with Universities and other appropriate academic bodies both in India and aboard and to obtain recognition of the said courses conducted at the said Society and for the said examinations conducted by the Society and degree, diplomas, certificates etc.
• To provide consultancy service to the Government, Local Bodies and other Organizations in Water and Land Management for Irrigation and Agriculture.
• To undertake research and conduct experiments in various aspects of Water and Land Management and to collaborate with other organizations for research and development.
• To send within the country and abroad for specialized training in Water and Land Management for Irrigation and Agriculture persons including members of staff of the said Society and bear and pay the costs of such training.
• To organized, outreach activities like training and capacity building of in-service professionals farmers or members and functionaries of Water Users Associations (WUAs) with a view to enhancing their technological and managerial capabilities and ensuring their active and effective participation in the development and management of water distribution network in their jurisdiction.
• To setup field centers at key locations to facilitate better coordination with the North Eastern States and to support the outreach activities relating to land and water management.
• To establish network with non-governmental organizations (NGOs)/ private-partners (PP) with a view to carry outreach activities effectively at the grass root level.
• To start, conduct, print, publish and exhibit magazines, periodicals, newspapers, books, pamphlets or posters that may be considered desirable for the promotion of the objectives of the NERIWALM.
• To invest and deal with funds of the NERIWALM.