All wetlands except Loktak and Pumlenpat have virtually vanished
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 01 2020: Even countries across the world have been preparing to observe the World Wetland Day 2020 tomorrow, des-truction of wetlands in the name of development by transforming them into institutional areas, is going on in full swing in Manipur.

The situation has reached such a critical stage that all the wetlands in the State, save for Loktak and Pumlenpat, now exist only in name.

Speaking to The Sangai Express in light of the significance of 'wetlands and biodiversity', which is the theme of the World Wet-lands Day 2020, many environmentalists and experts/officials have stressed on the immediate need to save the wetlands of the State.

All wetlands except Loktak and Pumlenpat have virtually vanished

Inner Manipur MP Dr RK Ranjan, who has long work-ed for protection and con- servation of environment, said that it is important to involve the people in the race to save the rapidly disappearing wetlands. He explained that illegal encroachments into wet-lands should be stopped immediately.

The Directorate of Environment and Climate Change is working tirelessly to save these wetlands.

However, it will be even more beneficial if an appropriate gazette notification is issued and steps are taken up to maintain the wetlands as per the guidelines/criteria of the Ramsar Convention.

This will ensure that the wetlands are not affected and at the same time, the livelihood/survival of the people are not compromised as well.

On the other hand, environmentalist Dr Kh Sha- mungou said that all the wetlands in Manipur except Loktak and Pumlenpat, no longer looks like a wetland.

The biodiversities pre-sent in these wetlands have also completely vanished, he lamented.

He stressed on the important roles played by fishes and birds, and explained that disappearance of birds will lead to gradual extinction of flora present in the particular ecosystem.

In the past, the wetlands of Manipur produced many plants which acted as sources of food as well as income for the people.

The wetlands also produced various flowers which were used in religious ceremonies.

However, the rapid destruction of the wetlands have resulted in disappearance of these plants from the State, he said.

Disappearance of a wetland means loss of a major source of livelihood for the people as well, Shamungou concluded.

Manipur University Chemistry Professor N Rajmohan criticised the practice of filling up of the wetlands in the name of development and pointed out that in developed countries, the Government are doing the exact opposite.

They are digging/creating wetlands recognising the importance of these waterbodies, while in Manipur, wetlands are being destroyed wantonly, he lamented.

Loktak Lake is a lifeline of Manipur and it needs to be saved.

Whether the waterbody is maintained in compliance with the Ramsar site criteria is a big question now.

As long as the waterbodies thrive, the environment will also thrive, he explained.

State Wetland Authority Technical Committee Convenor and Directorate of Environment and Climate Change Deputy Director Dr T Brajakumar said that in light of the rapidly changing climatic conditions, the importance of the wetlands is becoming more apparent as they have the ability to absorb a huge amount of Carbon Dioxide.