World Wetland Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 02 2013 :
As done in other parts of the globe, World Wetland Day was observed in the State under the joint auspices of All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union and Environment & Human Development, Manipur at Thanga Chinglak Keithel in Bishnupur district today.
This year's observance was held under the theme of "Wetland Take Care of Water" .
The observance was attended by Prof N Joykumar of History Department, Manipur University and Dr RK Ranjan, Convenor of Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage as Chief Guest and President respectively.
Retired lecturer Sarat and Salam Leinungshi, executive member of All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union were also present as Guests of Honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof N Joykumar pointed out that Loktak Project was initiated with the main objective of providing irrigation facilities to more than 1500 paris of land, drinking water facilities to a large number of people and adequate supply of electricity in the State.
However, all the hopes and aspirations of the people have been shattered as they have suffered all the more following commissioning of the project.
He further pointed out that Loktak Lake is the life of the people and so we need to protect Loktak from further degradation.
RK Ranjan, while pointing out the need to understand the motive of observing World Wetland Day, explained that the Day is being observed in accordance to the resolution adopted in the Ramsar Convention held at Ramsar, Iran in 1971 to preserve the dying wetlands around the globe.
"It is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the 'wise use', or sustainable use of all of the wetlands in their territories.
However, today, more than 500 lakes of the State have vanished completely.
This is because of the simple reason that we are not aware of the benefits these lakes give to us and still we are hell bent on destroying the remaining wetlands instead of protecting and preserving them," he lamented.
Dr Ranjan also alleged that the leaders of the State are not taking up any initiative to preserve and protect the Loktak Lake.
It may be noted here that Loktak lake is one of the Ramsar sites for protection.
As a part of the observance, drawing, essay and debating competitions were held for students.
On the other hand, speaking at another World Wetland Day observance function organized jointly by by Loktak Development Authority (LDA); Sangai Protection Forum, Keibul Lamjao; Environmental Social Information, Keibul Lamjao; Unique Wild Life Protection Committee, Sekmaijin and Centre for Conservation of Nature and Cultivation of Science, Ningthoukhong at Khordak Junior High School complex in Bishnupur district today, LDA Project Coordinator Ng Sanajaoba underscored the need for proper maintaining of rivers in the state which are main sources of water for Loktak Lake.
Delivering the keynote address of the observance, Sanajaoba said, "Maintenance of water sources of Loktak Lake is utmost necessary on top of the range of steps being taken up by different NGOs in Manipur for improving the condition of the lake, and in line with that the LDA has started taking up steps under a new plan called River Basin Management" .
He said that initially a few environmentalists and individuals worked hard to save the lake on their own efforts, but that now more or more people are willingly joined to save it.
He also alerted that parts of the lake like Pumlen, Khoidum, Ikop and Kharung were getting worse day by day and these watercourses of the lake might vanish soon.
MLA of Thanga A/C T Mangibabu, LDA Project Director Th Ibobi, Member of Moirang Khunou Zilla Parishad N Indira Devi, Member of Thanga Zilla Parishad N Dinesh, Member of Uchiwa Zilla Parishad O Borni Devi were among other dignitaries who attended the function.
The day was also observed in different parts of the state.
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