Ngamee Lup organises meeting on wetland management issues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 07 2022:
Ngamee Lup organised a meeting on Saturday to discuss the issues related to wetlands management in the state particularly with regard to Loktak and Pumlen Pat.
According to a press release, the meeting was attended by representatives of All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union, Manipur; Pumlen Pat Koidum Lamjao Kanba Apunba Lup, Upokpi Khunou Fishermen's Society, village unions of Pumlen and Loktak, and Lousal, along with representatives from Pumlen wetland regions covering Bishnupur, Champu Khangpok, Ishok and Pumlen Pat of Loktak and Sarik, Nongmaikhong and Arong village.
During the meeting, resolutions were adopted for repeal of The Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006 and its replacement by the National Wetlands (Management and Conservation) Rules, 2017; preparation of separate plans for each wetland; scrapping of the controversial LDA; and constitution of a new body or bodies having scientific temperament and focussing on sustainable livelihoods of the local communities.
The meeting also iterated that the state government should respect the rights of the fishing community living in Loktak and Pumlen Pat wetlands; government should desist from violating the rights of the local communities while taking up developmental projects; presence of only one chairperson for all wetlands so as to cohesion in the functioning and implementation; and lastly holding a series of open, inclusive and public consultations before notifying any wetlands, as is mandatory under the Wetlands Rules, 2017 .