Sanajaoba takes Loktak, Keibul Lamjao to RS
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20 2022:
Leisemba Sanajaoba sought attention of the Central Government towards protection and preservation of Loktak lake as well as Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Speaking in the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) yesterday, Leisemba Sanajaoba pointed out that the Loktak Hydroelectric Project and the Ithai Barrage have many demerits even though they have certain merits.
Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram are the beneficiary States of Loktak Hydroelectric Project, he said.
Out of 105 MW generated by the project, only 35 MG is allocated to Manipur while the remaining 70 MW is sold to neighbouring States, he said.
On the other hand, around 83,450 hectares of fertile agricultural land had been submerged under water by the Loktak Hydro- electric Project and Ithai Barrage.
The project had also severely affected the socio-economic and cultural life of the surrounding people, the lone Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur told the Parliament.
The project has drastically altered the eco-system of Loktak lake and the lake is becoming shallower and shallower every year on account of the Ithai Barrage, he pointed out.
He stated that the Loktak Hydroelectric Project has also done great harm to the eco-system and environment of Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Pointing out that Keibul Lamjao National Park is the only floating National park in the world, Sanajaoba asserted that Keibul Lamjao is the only natural habitat of the highly endangered Sangai which is also the State animal of Manipur.
Saying that there are just around 250 Sangai in its natural habitat, Leisemba Sanajaoba urged the Central Government to take up all possible measures so as to conserve both Loktak lake and the Keibul Lamjao National Park.