BJP lines up rivers, Loktak conservation prog
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 24 2017:
In line with the Central Government's flagship programme of Namami Gange which is aimed at cleansing and conserving Ganga River, Namami Rivers and Loktak Lake project would be launched in the State with the similar objective of conserving rivers and the Loktak Lake .
Speaking to media persons at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP Manipur Pradesh, Namami Rivers and Loktak Lake project convenor Ch Chidananda said that the project was conceptualised in the line of Namami Gange at the instruction of the BJP National office in order to cleanse Loktak Lake and major rivers of the State and conserve them effectively .
The project would be implemented by a five-member committee which includes subject experts .
Everyone is witness to the sorry state of Nambul River which flows through Imphal city .
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Both solid garbages and liquid effluents discharged from Imphal city are drained directly into Loktak Lake by Nambul River .
It is a matter of serious concern that people settled along the course of Nambul River have been treating the river as dumping ground of their domestic waste materials .
At the same time, the rate of siltation on the beds of Imphal River, Iril River, Kongba River, Sekmai River is also increasing at an alarming pace .
Continuous siltation has been leading to overflow of water and breaching of river banks at vulnerable points during rainy season, Chidananda said .
He also underscored the need to formulate a comprehensive long-term plan for conservation of Loktak Lake and its bio-diversity, economic alleviation of people dependent on the lake and at the same time develop the lake as a major tourist site of international standard .
Under Namami Rivers and Loktak Lake Project, BJP would formulate a long term policy in order to conserve Loktak Lake and all major rivers after due consultation with all stake holders including concerned Government departments, subject experts, civil society organisations, community leaders and the general public .
The project would first focus on checking discharge of waste materials and other effluents into Loktak Lake by way of keeping Nambul River neat and clean .
The second phase would focus on strengthening river banks and dredging beds of all major rivers .
Extensive tree plantation campaigns at catchment areas of major rivers would also be incorporated within the project, Chidananda continued .
After making an estimate of the project cost, BJP Manipur would approach the Government of India through the BJP National office to bear the cost, he added .
Phamdom Phoni and Wahengbam Sanjoy are co-convenors of the project .