Committee seeks support of legislators to decommission Loktak Mulktipurpose Project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2024: The Peoples Committee on Restoration of Loktak and it's Associated Wetlands Manipur (PCRLAWM) has appealed to all the legislators to stand in favour of decommissioning Loktak Multipurpose Project so as to conserve Loktak Lake and wetlands in the adjacent areas.

Speaking to the media at the Thangjing Hall of Manipur Press Club today, PCRLAWM convenor Soibam Tomba said that the impact of Loktak Multipurpose Project on the environment should be discussed in the upcoming Assembly session which is set to commence from July 31 and take a collective decision to decommission it.

He said that Loktak Lake has been providing a source of livelihood to many families and a place of habitat for many flora and fauna including the Sangais.

Saying that Loktak Multipurpose Project harms Loktak Lake and other wetlands in the adjacent areas such as Pumlen, Ikop, Kharung and Khoidum directly or indirectly, he reminded that Loktak Late was declared as a Ramsar site in 1990 and later included in Montreux Record in 1993 .

A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention while the Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.

It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Saying that power can be bought but not the wetlands, Tomba demanded that Loktak Multipurpose Project be decommissioned to conserve Loktak Lake and all the wetlands in its adjacent areas.

He said that the Loktak Multipurpose Project was taken up without carrying out any environment impact assessment.

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