Chadong village: Rising from waters with resilience, hope
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, January 16 2025: Manipur, known for its captivating natural beauty, holds treasures like the Imphal valley surrounded by nine mountain ranges, the rare Sangai deer, Shirui Lily, and Loktak Lake - the largest freshwater lake in northeast India, dotted with floating biomasses locally known as Phumdi.

It is no wonder that Lord Irwin likened Manipur to "The Switzerland of India", and Jawaharlal Nehru called it "The Jewel of India".

Among these wonders, Chadong village, with its charm and a manmade lake cradled between two hills, emerges as a growing attraction�a pearl-studded gold ornament amidst the chaos of modernity.

Located about 21 kilometres east of Imphal city under Phungyar sub-division in Kamjong district, Chadong is a village of the Tangkhul community.

Nestled at coordinates 24'52'41.9" North and 94'08'20.3'' East, Chadong has a population of 1,027, as per the 2011 Census.

Chadong village: Rising from waters with resilience, hope

Despite its current scenic allure, Chadong's transformation into a tourist hotspot is rooted in a tale of loss, resilience, and hope brought about by the Thoubal Multipurpose Project, also known as the Mapithel (Maphou) Dam.

The construction of the dam completely reshaped Chadong's landscape in June 2015 when the village, once situated at the foot of two adjoining hills, was submerged under water.

The rising waters formed a manmade lake, engulfing homes, schools, churches, and vast stretches of fertile paddy fields.

The residents, forced to relocate to the higher ground on the eastern and western hillsides of the lake, were torn apart, not just physically but emotionally.

Families who once lived together in har mony were split into two separate settlements, connected only by a watery expanse that now serves as both a source of beauty and a barrier.

Chadong village chief, Wungnaoyo Kasar, shared with The People's Chronicle how heart-wrenching it was for the villagers to part ways and sacrifice their ancestral land for the greater good of society.

The dam, a project aimed at providing electricity, drinking water, and irrigation facilities, demanded an enormous cost from the villagers - uprooting their way of life and severing the close bonds that defined their community.

Adjusting to the new normal was not without challenges.

The manmade lake created a logistical barrier between the two settlements, making interactions difficult.

Villagers now have to either cross the lake or undertake a gruelling 30-kilometre journey through the hilly terrain to visit each other.

Moreover, the loss of paddy fields has robbed them of their primary livelihood, forcing them to purchase rice from the market instead of cultivating their own.

Despite these adversities, Chadong's residents have displayed remarkable resilience.

They are turning to horticulture, planting fruit-bearing trees like lemon, avocado, and banana to rebuild their livelihoods.

The lake itself, a reminder of their sacrifice, has become a beacon of hope.

Its tranquil beauty has begun attracting visitors from far and wide, offering the villagers a chance to explore tourism as a new source of income.

The village chief expressed optimism about the potential of tourism and fish farming to transform Chadong's fortunes, With proper government investment in infrastructure, the village could become a significant tourist destination, boosting the local economy and contributing to the state's overall development.

The lake also holds immense potential for fish farming, which could not only provide the villagers with a sustainable income but also increase the state's fish production and reduce dependency on imports, he said.

As a step toward supporting the village, the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) recently provided two motorboats ahead of the recently held Manipur Indigenous Cultural Exchange Festival, organised under the sponsorship of the state government.

These boats have become a lifeline for the villagers, enabling them to cross the lake with greater ease to visit one another.

However, the village chief pointed out that two boats are insufficient to meet the logistical demands of the divided settlements, especially when it comes to transporting horticultural produce to markets at Yaingangpokpi or in Imphal.

He appealed to the government for at least four boats on each side to mitigate these challenges.

Despite the difficulties, the villagers remain hopeful and united in their efforts to make Chadong a thriving community.

The lake, though born from loss, has brought a new sense of purpose and possibility.

It stands as a testimony to the resilience of the people who, instead of succumbing to despair, have chosen to adapt and rebuild their lives.

Chadong's beauty, combined with its compelling story of transformation, offers an unparalleled opportunity for the government to invest in sustainable development.

The village chief urged authorities to prioritise the development of tourism infrastructure and pisciculture initiatives to unlock the area's full potential.

With targeted interventions, Chadong could emerge as a shining example of resilience, where natural beauty and human determination come together to create something extraordinary.

As visitors continue to be captivated by the serene charm of the lake and its surroundings, Chadong reminds the world that even in the face of loss and hardship, hope can rise from the depths, transforming adversity into opportunity.

For the people of Chadong, the waters that once drowned their past now hold the promise of a brighter future along with countless memories of their past.