Pune Save Loktak lake Campaign successfully held
- by NECEER -

28st February 2011

With firm determination to save Loktak Lake - lifeline of Manipur, the third phase of Worldwide Save Loktak Lake Campaign was successfully held in Pune on February 28. The campaign was organised at the seminar hall of Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pune.

It was an awareness programme initiated by NECEER (North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research), Imphal for the conservation of Loktak Lake.

Dr. B.B Thakur - Principal of Wadia College, Dr. Ak Botte- Head of Geography Dept and Dr Ujjwan R. Khara grace the occasion as the chief guest, guest of honour and special guest respectively.

The campaign started with a small talk on Loktak Lake by Alam K, an NECEER volunteer. It was followed by mesmerising speeches from Chief Guest Dr BB Thakur, the guest of honour and the specialguest.

"To save and conserve the beautiful Loktak lake in Manipur is the need of hour. Youth should be made aware of the grievous condition of the lake and they should be involved in conserving the lake," said Dr BB Takur, Hon'ble Principal of Wadia College.

NECEER is doing a commendable job in mobilising the youth to conserve the lake, he added.

Shouting slogans to save Loktak lake, the Pune volunteers conducted a mass rally around the Wadia campus to bring awareness among the masses specially youth. The rally was launched after a brainstorming session on LoktakLake.

Around 70 students from various colleges participated in the campaign.

Mass Campaign in N. Wadia College campus

It can be mentioned that Pune is the 10th city hosting the Save Loktak Lake Campaign. Anthony Moirangthem and Rajkumar Jyotin Singh are the Pune Co-ordinators of the campaign. Lulel Sagolsem, Kolhapur co-ordinator supported the min organising the campaign. The NECEER in association with Department of Geography, Nowrosjee Wadia College organised the campaign successfully.

NECEER is determined to conserve the lake with more than 600 volunteers and 32 city Coordinators involved in organising the campaign. Increasing number of the youth involvement is a proof to the success of the ongoing Worldwide Save Loktak Lake Campaign.

It can be mentioned that the first and the second phase of the campaign have been conducted in 2010. Delhi, Guwahati, Manipur, Silchar and Shillong witnessed the first phase of the campaign. The second phase was conducted in Mumbai, Kolhapur, Sikkim and Darjeeling. Both the phase have been a huge success with mass involvement all over India.

"To create awareness about the conservation of Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake in Northeast India, is the motive of this campaign," says Khuraijam Jibankumar Singh, Founder and Managing Trustee of NECEER.

Chief Guest: Dr. B.B Thakur (Principal of Wadia College, Pune) and Guest of Honour - Dr. AK Botte (Head of Geography Dept )

The campaign is supported by more than 20 international and national organisations. It will conclude in 2012 with a grand campaign at the vicinity of the Lake by involving the local inhabitants, local NGOs and the Government officials amongst others. Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world is situated at the south west part of the lake. It is home to the endangered Manipur brow antlered deer„ Sangai - Cervus eldieldi and many other endangered species. The lake is an Important Bird Area identified by BNHS, Mumbai and Bird life International. Mehnaz Nasreen Spokesperson, NECEER