The vanishing jewels of Manipur : Wetlands on the brink

Caroline Akoijam / Professor Thingbaijam Binoy Singh *

Loktak Lake - Largest Fresh Water Lake in North East India in June 2013 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Dotted with circular floating phumdis and huts gently drifting with the currents, Loktak Lake paints a picture unlike anywhere else in the world; home to the world’s only floating National park, Keibul Lamjao National Park and a lifeline for thousands, showcases a symbol of harmony between nature and people. But beneath this serene beauty lies a fragile reality.

On this World Water Day, let the wetlands or Pats of Manipur remind us that these living landscapes which were once abundant and life-sustaining, are gradually disappearing.

Manipur is home to a network of wetlands supporting rich biodiversity, home to rare and endemic flora and fauna as well as numerous migratory birds. Wetlands are not merely just a vast water body; they are dynamic ecosystems where land and water interact to support biodiversity.

According to Ramsar Convention, a wetland is defined as any land area that is saturated or flooded with water, either seasonally or permanently. They can be either inland such as lakes, aquifers and marshes or coastal, as mangroves, estuaries and coral reefs.

According to a report titled “Wetlands of Manipur” published by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur, the State harbours a total of 119 wetlands.

Of these, 23 have been identified through ground truthing, and 7 key wetlands from these wetlands have also been recommended for notification under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. This highlights both the ecological significance of these ecosystems and the urgent need for their formal recognition and protection.

Characterized by the presence of phumdis, Loktak Lake, represents a unique natural system, supporting from microscopic plankton to iconic species such as the endangered Sangai deer. Beneath the surface of these waters exists a thriving world of phytoplankton and zoo-plankton, which forms the foundation of the aquatic food web.

These microscopic organisms drive primary productivity, converting sunlight and nutrients into energy that sustains fish populations, aquatic invertebrates, and ultimately the birds and mammals that depend on them.

Apart from supporting biodiversity, wetlands perform essential ecological functions that often go unnoticed. They act as natural filters, where microorganisms and aquatic plants absorb pollutants, recycle nutrients, and improve water quality.

Wetlands also serve as natural buffers against floods by absorbing and storing excess rainfall, regulates water flow and reduce the risk of sudden flooding in surrounding areas. Together, these functions highlight that wetlands are not passive landscapes, but highly productive and self-sustaining ecosystems, quietly working to maintain environmental stability while supporting both wildlife and human life.

For the people of Manipur, wetlands are deeply woven into everyday life, culture, local traditions, folklore, a sense of belonging and identity. Loktak lake is home to the world’s only floating village, where communities live in Phumshangs, traditional floating huts built on phumdis.

These unique settlements reflect a remarkable adaptation to nature, where life moves in sync with the water itself.

Despite their immense ecological and cultural value, the wetlands are under increasing pressure from both human activities and environmental changes. Pollution from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage has steadily degraded water quality, disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems.

Hydrological alterations, particularly the construction of structures such as the Ithai Barrage, encroachment and unregulated human activities strains these wetlands, as expanding settlements and resource extraction place additional pressure on already fragile systems.

Alteration of rainfall patterns and water regimes because of climate change compounds these challenges, making wetlands more vulnerable to degradation.

The consequences of these threats include declining biodiversity, decline of fish population, loss of habitat, and the gradual erosion of livelihoods that depend on these waters. What’s at stake is not just an ecosystem, but an entire way of life that has coexisted within these wetlands for generations.

Several decades ago, Keishampat was a thriving Pat, but today, it has been transformed into a concrete landscape. More recently, Lamphel Pat has been reduced from a wetland to merely a “water body,” reflecting a gradual but alarming shift in how these ecosystems are valued and managed. Many such pats across Manipur have already disappeared, their loss quietly unfolding amid rapid urbanization and neglect.

On this World Water Day, the decline of wetlands in Manipur is a warning that cannot be ignored. As these ecosystems disappear, so does their ability to store water, purify it, and sustain life. The loss of wetlands is not just an environmental issue, it is a growing water crisis that threatens food security, biodiversity, and the well-being of our future generations.

Protecting wetlands today means safeguarding the water resources of tomorrow. The wetlands of Manipur are at a critical crossroads. Their conservation requires urgent and collective action, from stronger policy implementation to active community participation, youth involvement and sustainable management practices.

Preserving these ecosystems is not only about protecting nature, but also about securing livelihoods, culture, and climate resilience.

This World Water Day, the message is clear: if we fail to protect our wetlands now, we risk losing them forever. But with timely action and shared responsibility, these living landscapes can still be restored, ensuring that they continue to sustain life for generations to come.