Villagers urge for protection of lands of Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2022: Village representatives from 26 villages living around Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao wetland region convened a meeting at the community hall of Leimakhong Lairembi at Nongmaikhong to deliberate on the issue of the entry of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) in Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao area today.

The meeting was attended by Zilla Parishad member Chongtham Indrajit of Waikhong and pradhan, Ningthoujam Ayingbi as presidium members, said a press release by the Pumlen Pat Khoidum Lamjao Kanba Apunba Lup.

The speakers during the meeting expressed concern on Loktak Protection Act 2006 which is not only draconian to the fishing community but also needs to be repealed.

The speakers maintained that livelihood, culture fishery and agriculture will be affected if the land is reclaimed by lake conservation and emphasised on the need to balance conservation and people.

A discussion on the National Wetlands rules of 2017 was also held and highlighted that the State has not done their mandatory homework of notification of wetlands including preparation of a brief document for Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao.

The speakers further opined that the State Government's recent aggressive stance on encroachment and eviction is not a healthy signal for boundary demarcation and for wetlands conservation as it requires close cooperation between people and wetlands authorities.

The meeting also passed the following resolutions that LDA cannot enter the Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao wetlands region along with Loktak Protection Act 2006 and all lands occupied by residents of 26 villages must be protected and that survey and demarcation of the lake must be done along with the land owners, added the press release.

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