Economic impact of ethnic conflict
Tokpaching village in the vicinity of Pumplenpat

Oinam Malemnganba Meitei *

The ethnic conflict between Kuki and Meitei that started on 3rd May 2023 during a tribal solidarity rally that turned out to be violent in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas, mainly in Churachandpur district of Manipur, has claimed so many lives and led people to flee from their homes, razed down houses, raping of women, substantial ban of internet etc.

This conflict has negative impacts on the normal livelihoods of the people residing all over the State, which include halting market activities (buying and selling activities), road blockades, leaving jobs in conflict zones, the collapse of trade and commerce between the valley and hill areas of Manipur, etc. The stoppage of market activities mainly leads to making people’s lives miserable.

The effects of ethnic conflict on wetlands may be different, for instance, ecological impact and economic impact, which comprise direct and indirect impacts. The direct impact includes loss of property, infrastructure and livelihoods. The indirect impact includes reduced economic growth, increased conflict resolution costs, and long-term environmental consequences such as climate change adaptation measures.

The paper will try to focus on the economic impact of this present Manipur crisis, particularly on people who depend on wetlands for their livelihoods. Some of the major wetlands in Manipur may be mentioned as Loktak, Pumlen, Ikop, Khoidum Lamjao, Lamphelpat, etc. Pumlen Lake is the second-largest lake in the State. This article will try to investigate the changes in the livelihoods of people living near this lake due to the Manipur crisis.

Pumlen (now in Kakching District, Manipur), a freshwater lake, is popularly known as the Pumlen Pat and covers an area of around 19 sq. km. (District Census Handbook-Thoubal, Census of India 2011). The lake plays a crucial role in the lives of the people living nearby. This lake has three islands: Chingkok-Chingmei, Chingjao, and Hapcha. Unfortunately, the lake is now on the verge of extinction due to encroachment.

A few years ago, there was an attempt by the State Government to develop the lake as the second home of the precious and endangered Sangai, the brow-antlered deer. However, this initiative did not favour most people residing around the lake.

Impact on Fishery in Pumlen Lake

A high number of households depend their livelihood on fishery activities. The local fishermen catch a variety of fish species. Before the ethnic clash started, households on fishing earned Rs 496.67 on an average daily with a minimum of Rs 350 and a maximum of Rs 600. However, after the clash started on 3rd May 2023, there was a time when the market shed was closed down, and the economic activities were stopped.

Women ran the market shed. These women were agitating and protesting against the act of narco-terrorism. A few weeks later, the market shed opened. So, as of now, on fishing, households earn Rs 253.33 on an average daily with a minimum of Rs 100 and a maximum of Rs 400.

There was a stoppage of public transportation for quite some time due to the conflict. The quantity of fish sales decreased significantly. At the same time, people were running out of money as most of their sources of income were cut off due to the conflict, so the demand for fish decreased significantly.

On the other hand, there is a reduction in the quantity of fish caught. The area of clear water surface shrinks due to a high increase in the amount of the phumdis, allowing less fishing area.

Impact on Unjas (fish dealer)

Before the conflict, the unjas sold 122 kg of fish per day, with a minimum sale of 100 kg and amaximum of 240 kg per day. They used to earn an average profit of Rs 1560 per day with a minimum of Rs 400 and a maximum of Rs 3250 per day.

In the aftermath of 3rd May, the average daily sale of fish decreased significantly, standing at 64 kg, thereby making an average profit of Rs 730 daily. The reduction in the sale of fish is due to the closure of market activities, road blockage and, most importantly, the unjas gave up their pursuit and were engaged in protest and agitation against the Kuki Narco-Terrorist.

Impact on Agricultural Practice

The conflict has more or less no effect on the paddy cultivation. Changes in the quantity of agricultural inputs and prices are not yet seen. Not all the cultivable paddy fields are in the conflict-affected region.

Impact on Passenger Services

Diesel auto rickshaw drivers used to earn an average daily of Rs 950 before the conflict. However, their earnings have reduced to Rs 467 approximately per day in the aftermath of May 3. This was mainly due to sparse public movement, and the market shed was closed for many days after the 3rd of May.

Impact on Grocery Shops

On average, the shops sold grocery items of Rs 17,000 and Rs. 7333 before and after May 3, respectively. The purchasing power of the people decreased so much that many of their daily works ceased because of the Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur.

Impact on Pisciculture

Usually, the fish, reared in the artificial reservoirs, are sold out during three important festivals or events of Manipur viz., Cheiraoba, Ningol Chakkouba and Imoinu. This year, the fish were not sold during Ningol Chakkouba and Imoinu because these two festivals were not widely celebrated as the conflict still prevails in the State.

The fish are kept in stock in the artificial reservoirs to sell whenever the situation allows. Before the conflict, a household earned an average annual income of Rs. 1,48,696 from pisciculture.

Impact on Harvesting Lake Vegetables

One significant distinction of Pumlen Lake is that there are many floating masses of vegetation, ie, Phum, on which varieties of plants grow. Many plants that grow on these Phums are widely consumed in different styles and flavours by the people of the State. So, people, especially women, harvest edible plants from the lake. Local people used to collect a large number of Thamchet for sale, usually in the months of June and July.

In the year 2022, a household made an average daily earning of Rs 738. But, in the aftermath of the conflict, local people hardly earned Rs 100 per day from selling these aquatic plants, usually consumed as food and for medicinal purposes. The main reason for the reduction of local people’s daily earnings from harvesting wetland plants was the closure of markets due to the conflict.

Conclusion

In Manipur Valley, wetlands are used for various purposes and have significant impacts on the livelihoods of the local people. The ethnic conflict that started on 3rd May 2023 in Manipur has resulted in a manifold slowdown in the economy of the State. This paper tries to shed light on the impact of the conflict on the people living near wetlands.

The article has shown the impacts on the fishery, unjas (local fish dealers), agricultural practice, passenger service, grocery shops, pisciculture, and harvesting of vegetables from the lake due to the ongoing ethnic conflict. This article has shown that the conflict has a negative impact on all the above-mentioned activities performed by the people living near Pumlen Pat.

People hardly earn a penny from harvesting vegetables from the lake, which has the maximum downturn. The least downturn is seen in earnings from fish catchment, which experienced a reduction of approximately 49%. In fact, earnings from the activities on wetlands become a mere financial assistance for living.