Biswajit seeks public support to protect Loktak
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 08 2022:
Forest, environment and climate change minister Th Biswajit has called for public participation in the initiative to protect Loktak and its associated lakes, which play crucial role in regulating the climatic condition of the state.
Attending as chief guest of a one-day workshop on Conservation and wise use of Loktak and associated lakes' organised by Loktak Development Authority (LDA) in association with Mangolnganbi College, Ningthoukhong, on Saturday, Biswajit said that Loktak Lake is a rare jewel of the state.
Loktak and its associated lakes play crucial role in regulating the climatic condition of the state.
So, it is high time for the public to lend support and proactively involve in protecting these lakes.
He also expressed hope that the workshop organised as part of the 33rd Loktak Day will help in planning initiatives for protecting the lake.
LDA chairman M Asnikumar, who presided over the function, said that the workshop will help in planning policies related with landscaping, water management and nutrients, food & fibre production, water purification, regulation of flow, provision of habitat, and tourism & recreational services.
While appreciating the government 's initiative to conserve wetlands, he underscored the need for conserving the Loktak Lake ecosystem.
He said that LDA is taking up a new ecological approach with focus on community participation.
Mentioning about the changes in the ecosystem of the lake experienced in the last four decades, he stressed the need for public participation in the initiatives to protect the lake.
Works minister Govindas Konthoujam also spoke on different aspects of Loktak Lake such as livelihood means, water sports, eco-tourism and ecological balance, and called for making the protection of Loktak Lake a public movement.
Officials of 12 colleges located around Loktak Lake, villagers, farmers and students in the catchment area of the lake participated in the workshop.