Body threatens stir against wetlands fill-up move
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 15 2013:
Voicing strong opposition to the Government of Manipur's fresh plan to reclaim Laphupat and Soigupat (lakes) by filling-up the water bodies, Soigupat & Laphupat Reconstruction Committee, Laphupat Tera has threatened to launch intense agitation if the local populace are deprived of their economic rights for s sustainable livelihood from the water bodies.
Speaking to newspersons at Manipur press Club Committee advisor N Rajen highlighted that since about three decades back, locals depending on the two lakes for livelihood have been opposing any move to curb the people's economic rights after the then Government issued an official notification that Soigupat and Laphupat would be annexed as a Keibul Lamjao national park site.
While the 1977 notification to claim the water bodies was staunchly opposed by the people another Government circular on the same issue issued a decade later was also rejected by the people for whom the lakes serve as an important source of livelihood, pointed out the advisor.
Noting that as per 1977 record total area of Keibul Lamjao national Park was 40 sq kms, Rajen also stated that due to its location at the outlying boundaries of Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts both the lakes support livelihood of nearly 30 percent of the local population.
Cautioning that filling-up of the water bodies would wipe out a number of indigenous fish varieties and consumable water plants, he asserted that the locals would oppose any further move that would deny the people their right to livelihood.
In case democratic form of movement fails to convince the Government to drop the plan resorting to violent means could not be ruled out, Rajen cautioned.