State Wetland Authority in place of LDA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 23 2018:
The State Government has decided to rename Loktak Development Authority, (LDA), which was set up to monitor various programmes for conservation of the State's waterbodies/wetlands including Loktak lake, as the State Wetland Authority.
According to an official source, the decision was taken in a special general body meeting of LDA chaired by the Chief Minister today.
A committee, with the Forest Minister as its chairman and the MLAs of the Constituencies surrounding Loktak Lake as its members, was also constituted in the meeting to monitor the formation of the new body, it added.
The source further pointed out that the current Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act 2006 will be revised and steps will be taken up to pass a new Bill in the coming budget session.
Development and Conservation works of Pumlen, Khoidum, Kharung and Ikop Pat will be taken up after the LDA is formally renamed State Wetland Authority.
The source pointed out that MLA of Moirang A/C, P Sharatchandra has been appointed as the vice chairman, LDA Project Director L Bhagaton as the member secretary and the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Planning), Imphal West DC, Kakching DC and Bishnupur DC as members of the committee which was formed today.
The committee will submit a report of the numerous problems faced by the lakes or waterbodies of the State like illegal land encroachment, to the Chief Minister so that the necessary Bill to form the State Wetland Authority can be passed in the coming budget session, the source added.