Consultation meet concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 07 2016:
The 2 day consultation meeting on changing ecosystem of the Loktak concluded at Moirang, a small town located on the bank of famous lake, to address certain important issues arising, comes to an end on Thursday.
The consultation meet which was organized by the Bishnupur based People's Resources Development Association (PRDA) in collaboration with the ActionAID Association of India, has resolved to take up some of the important issues arising out of the changing ecosystem of the lake for the welfare of the people associated with the lake.
The science teachers, activists, journalist, students, representatives of the local organizations and fisherman bodies who actively took part in the meet also expressed the need to address the issues of lack of alternative livelihood of the fishing community,lack of access to potable safe drinking water,lack of access to healthcare services,lack of sensitive to lake environment,lack of new education policy, lack of scientific waste management, lack of community restriction on fish, waterbirds, frequent flooding of agricultural land, controlled deforestation in lake catchments areas, degradation of culture and traditional practices etc.
The State's forest and floral diversity expert Dr H Nandiram, environmental activist Salam Rajesh, state coordinator of the Indian Birds Conservation Network RK Birjit, Functionary of Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union Manipur Oinam Rajen, Member of Forum of Environmental Journalists in India Sobhapati Samom spoke on different issues arising out of the changing ecosystem of the popular lake while the technical sessions was moderated by activist Ramananda Wangkheirakpam.
Located between 24�25' to 24�42'N latitude and 93�46'to 93�55'E, the 300-square-km Loktak Lake which spread over three districts in the valley � Imphal West, Bisnupur and Thoubal, is not only the largest freshwater lake in the northeast but also the largest lake in the Manipur river basin, covering 61% of the total identified wetlands of the State.
In reality, it comprises about 20 small and large lakes including Loktak, Takmu, Ungamen, Laphupat, Thammumacha, Khulak, Yena, Sana pat, Utra pat and Tharopokpi.