Large scale netting of maikhumbis : PFA Thoubal expresses concern
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 17 2013 :
People for Animal, Thoubal has expressed concern over catching of large number of human friendly insects for sale by villagers from the wetlands of Manipur.
Among different insects, larvae of dragonfly (maikhumbi in local parlance) are favourite snacks for many villagers, said a press release.
A small cup-sized container of maikhumbi costs Rs 15 in the local market.
Villagers sell it to local food stalls and liquor vendors after these insects are caught in large numbers.
On the other hand, maikhumbis are human friendly insect, the press release said and adding that they eat many insects like mosquito larvae which are harmful to human being.
Maikhumbis spend three months to seven years, which is about 95 percent of its total life span, in water.
When they attain maturity and become dragonfly, they survive for a few months only.
During this period, the dragonfly eat adult mosquitos, house flies, horse flies, deer flies and other pests.
Dragonfly started its existent on the earth before the dinosaurs.
The press release further said that the villages where maikhumbis are collected and eaten in huge numbers might suffer malaria, dengue, yellow fever, anthrax, dengue, horse fever.
Maikhumbis prefer to live only in fresh and unpolluted water.
Presence of maikhumbis in a water body is a scientific indication of the purity and sound aquatic eco-system of the water body.
Thousands and thousands of maikhumbis are being caught and sold every day.
This huge unsustainable usage of natural component could cost much to the villagers one day, added the press release.
Diseases spread by mosquito and flies like malaria, yellow fever, anthrax, dengue, horse fever, etc might soon hit the villagers.
The practice is to stop immediately before it is too late.
To protect the whole bio-diversity people must have the care for its minute components as well.
Currently the villages neighbouring to the Loktak lake are also involving in this activity.
Such acts could also be severely punishable under Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules, 2004, the press release said.