MP Sanajaoba urges Centre to save Loktak lake
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 20 2022:
Expressing serious concern over degradation of the Loktak lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park in the Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has drawn the attention of the Central government towards the urgency of saving the lake as well as the national park.
Taking up the issue in the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament on Monday, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that Loktak Hydro Project and Ithai Dam have been benefitting many people but it is also an undeniable fact that the project has been affecting environment and ecosystem of Loktak lake to a large extent.
Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram benefitted from Loktak Hydro Project.
The project generates 105mw of power but Manipur gets only 35mw as the remaining 70mw are sold to neighbouring states namely Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram, the MP and titular king of Manipur pointed out.
Highlighting demerits of the Loktak Hydro Project and Ithai Dam, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that agricultural land measuring around 83,450 hectares has been completely submerged under water due to the project thereby converting the vast fertile land into waste land.
Apart from affecting the socio-economic and cultural life of people living on the periphery of largest fresh water body in the northeast region, the depth of the lake's bed is getting shallower at a rapid pace due to siltation consequently having adverse effect on the Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Ecosystem and environment of the only floating national park in the world, which is also home to endangered Sangai (Brow Antlered Deer) among other species is also declining as a result of the project and the dam, the MP highlighted and drew attention of the Central government for taking up all possible measures for conservation of Loktak lake and protecting the Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Mention may be made here that Leishemba Sanajaoba had also drawn attention of the House for resolving the Indo-Myanmar border dispute in a diplomatic manner some days earlier.