Loktak venue of G-20 meet inspected
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 04 2022:
CAF&PD minister L Susindro along with Loktak Development Authority (LDA) chairman M Asnikumar on Sunday inspected the surroundings of Loktak Lake where some G-20 meetings are planned in February 2023.With India assuming the role of G-20 president, the centre has made plans to organise few G-20 events in the state on February 15 and 17, 2023.In this regard, Union law minister Kiren Rijiju and chief minister N Biren had recently announced that some of the events in the state will be held at Loktak Lake.
Ahead of the planned meetings, minister Susindro and M Asnikumar visited the lake to oversee its regular cleaning as well as development of infrastructural requirements needed for holding the G-20 functions.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the visit, Asnikumar informed that report of the Empowered Committee headed by IIT-Kanpur Prof Dr Rajiv Sinha, which was constituted for conservation of Loktak Lake and the encroachments made on the lake will be submitted to CM N Biren in three months' time.
He said the state government focused on ensuring that the Loktak Lake becomes one of the most recognisable wetlands of the world.
The CM is himself supervising activities for conservation of the lake by encouraging participation of people from the surrounding areas along with promoting research, policy and conservation activities, he confided.
Asnikumar also revealed that an expert advisory committee has been formed by LDA for conservation of the lake.
The CM has sent a holistic project report to Asian Development Bank (ADB) for conservation of the lake as well as improving the socio-economic condition of people dependent on the lake.
Moreover, the state government is pressing the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change to approve its short term plan for the lake called 'Wise Use of Loktak Lake', he conveyed.
Mentioning the issue of encroachment on the lake, Asnikumar informed that the Committee comprising three cabinet ministers, himself and stakeholder departments formed to demarcate the boundary of the lake will submit its report to CM within three months, while adding that the first meeting of the Committee was chaired by CM N Biren on November 13.He further stressed that LDA is very much keen on protecting the livelihood of fishing community of the lake.
It has asked the government for creation of a state fishing policy.
Creation of floating hamlets over the lake will provide employment opportunity to the youths of the state along with promoting eco-tourism.
Hence, it is the responsibility of all to protect the lake and its surrounding areas and work for its conservation, the LDA chairman appealed.