World Wetlands Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2013 : Like in other parts of the globe, Manipur too joined in the observance of World Wetlands Day 2013 today with LDA in association with NGOs and PANA organising observance functions at Khordak of Bishnupur and Lamphelpat in Imphal West respectively.

The observance at Khordak Junior High School was organised under the aegis of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) in association with NGOs like Sangai Protection Forum Keibul Lamjao, Environmental Social Reformation Keibul Lamjao, Unique Wildlife Protection Committee Sekmaijin and Centre for Conservation of Nature and Cultivation of Science Ningthoukhong.

The function was graced by Thanga AC MLA T Mangibabu and LDA Project Director Th Ibobi as chief guest and president respectively.

Moirang Khunou Zilla Parishad Member L Indira, Thanga ZP Member N Dinesh and Uchiwa ZP Member O Borni Devi were also present as guests of honour.

Giving key-note address of the function, LDA Project Coordinator Ng Sanajaoba said that February 2 is observed as World Wetlands Day every year in accordance to a resolution adopted at an international convention held at the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1972 .

World Wetlands Day observed

This year's theme for the World Wetlands Day is "Wetlands Take Care of Water" .

Earlier it was scientists and environmentalists who were working to save wetlands generally known as pat in Manipur.

But today, general public have realised the importance of protecting and preserving wetlands.

The journey of protecting wetlands is a long and difficult one, and observing World Wetlands Day together with the public is one single step of the long journey, Sanajaoba said.

The condition of Loktak lake which is already identified as a Ramsar site and adjoining lakes like Pumlen, Kharung, Ikop and Khoidum has been degenerating every year.

With a view to preserve Loktak lake, LDA launched the River Basin Management programme since a few years back.

Moreover, a water allocation policy has also been formulated.

"Loktak lake and all other wetlands are our resources but we are borrowing them from the future generations and we must hand them over to future generations", Sanajaoba said.

Environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou said that water would be the main cause if there should be a third world war.

Because of the global warming and climate, the number of wetlands has been decreasing across the planet while the number of wastelands have been rising.

Though 70 per cent of the earth's surface is said to be covered with water, the major chunk of the water volume comprises of saline seas and oceans.

Shamungou compared water to nature's kidney and man's life.

Today, water has been nicknamed as liquid gold.

In connection with the World Wetlands Day observance, MLA T mangibabu released a wall poster.

Later spot painting and quiz competitions for students were held and prizes distributed to winners.

At the proposed Lamphel Water Body Site, a wetland where the Government of Manipur is planning to develop a water body having facilities for leisure and entertainment, the observance was organised by People's Awareness for National Advancement (PANA) with Heingang AC MLA N Biren gracing the event as the chief guest.

In his address, Biren highlighted that the Government of Manipur is committed to restore the historically relevant and important water body to its glorious past by developing different components for not only creating a large natural water reservoir but to transform the sprawling site into a tourist spot.

Listing construction of an arch-shaped bridge on the Lamphel-Langol road to facilitate passage of small boats on either side of the 300 acres water body as the main feature of the plan, he also expressed hope that Thangmeiband and Uripok residents would extend full cooperation to the Government's proposal as many localities in these assembly constituencies face submergence when Lamphelpat gets overfilled during monsoons.

Noting that frequent inundation of Lamphelpat is caused by indiscreet utilisation of the barren landscape as dumping sites, the former Minister also regretted that greeneries of the Langol Reserved Forest has been rapidly depleting due to ineffective forest preservation mechanism.

Biren also called upon the valley people to take the initiative for protecting forests which are in close proximity to residential pockets of the valley districts.

In a similar way, there is need for maintaining the water bodies, he expressed while mooting that valley people should atleast have the right to be guardian of the nearby hill ranges.

According to environmentalist Dr H Nandiram Sharma Manipur is blessed abundantly with about 19 large natural water bodies having huge potential for development as both tourist spots and income generation source.

Suggesting that policies need to be put in place to preserve natural water bodies rather than converting them into cultivation or human habitat sites, he also reminded that people of Manipur would suffer from acute water shortage in the near future in case effective initiatives to protect natural water bodies are not taken up immediately.

Dr Nandiram also emphasised on the need for effort and contribution by the hill people in maintaining ecological balance instead of random exploitation of forest products with a grim reminder that impact of natural calamities would prove disastrous to all.

Another environmentalist Dr TB Singh, commenting on the observance opined that lack of commitment by the Government to protect natural water bodies is best exemplified by increasing number of private houses, medical centres and institutions in and around Lamphelpat.

He also said that migratory birds abandoning Lamphelpat is a grim reminder that the natural water body is highly polluted and unsuitable to support to living beings.

A poets' meet was also held as a part of the observance.