Lamphel's sorry tale on Wetlands Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 01, 2012:: Even as the world is celebrating World Wetlands Day tomorrow, the condition of Lamphelpat, which plays a significant part in maintaining the climatic condition in this part of the world is in a pitiable state.

In an independent survey conducted by The Sangai Express on the eve of World Wetlands Day, it came to light that Lamphelpat has now little space to consume flood waters draining down from surrounding upland localities.

Lamphelpat used to save Imphal city from possible flash floods by consuming the excess waters of Nambul River during rainy reason.

However, with constant urbanisation and setting up of different Government and private institutes, Lamphelpat has now turned into a concrete jungle, which in turn has left a great impact on the climatic condition of Imphal city in particular and the State in general.

According to environment experts, Lamphelpat could even provide drinking water for the whole population of Imphal and adjoining areas if its natural system were not disturbed.

On her lap, Lamphelpat now has the concrete buildings of RIMS, Manipur Zoological Garden, DC office complex, Central Agriculture University, National Institute of Technology, IEETE, Police Station and official quarters etc, covering a vast area of around 290 acres.

Lamphel's sorry tale on Wetlands Day

Apart from this alarming condition, 8000 acres of the State Government and 500 acres of Planning and Development Authority (PDA) at lamphelpat are being used as dumping sites of solid waste material.

It not only disturbs the natural system but also gradually pollutes the water and soil of Lamphelpat with poisonous substances.

As the condition is becoming worse day by day, people start questioning what the High Level Committee on Protection of Wetlands, Lakes and Water bodies, is doing at this juncture.

The committee was set up under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister in July 2009 with the sole objective to protect wetlands and water bodies of the State.

Environmentalist RK Raj said, the State Government has decided to preserve only 100 acres of wetland at Lamphelpat which is very less in comparison to the volume of water draining down to the lake during raining season.

Maintaining that wetlands are being used to attract tourists across the globe, RK Raj suggested to plant kombirei flowers at Lamphelpat to make it beautiful and attract tourists.

It may be mentioned that measures have been taken up for development and protection of Lamphelpat, Yaralpat and Waithoupat by State Envn and Ecology Wing under State Climate Change Action Plan.