Pumlen Lake, a historic lake of Manipur in Thoubal district

Daniel Chabungbam *

Pumlen Lake, a historic lake of Manipur in Thoubal district :: Pix - Daniel Chabungbam

Pumlen Lake, a historic lake of Manipur, largest lake of Manipur next only to Loktak Lake is situated in Thoubal district at the adjoining area of Hiyanglam and Sugnu Assembly Constituency.

Unfortunately, fate of the historic lake looms large on the verge of extinction with the Loktak Project being its predator and adding to it is the greed of the surrounding farmers, who, every year encroach a vast tract of the lakeshore for their own farming purpose.

The lake has been the main source of income of the people living around it lies between Mondum ranges in the south, Khoidum and Lamjao in the North, Burma Sugnu road in the east and Imphal River in the west.

Chingjao, Chingkok, Chingmei and Hapcha are important islands of the lake.

The lake with a total area of 22 sq km approximately, has been deteriorating gradually since the construction of Ithai Barrage as part of the Loktak Project in 1986 over the Imphal River. With the Ithai Barrage obstructing the weeds of the lake from flowing down, 80% of the lake has been covered under thick weeds leaving almost no space for the fishermen to earn their livings.

A number of birds visiting the lake has reduced significantly and the lake has bored almost an eerie silence.

Meitingu, Surit Nganu, Umu, Chongkhu, Ushai, Tharoichabi, Uren, Thembi, Uthum and storks are visiting the lake now. With the surrounding people unable to catch much fish, they have now resorted to catch the birds in a bid to earn some money and this has resulted in the decreasing migration of birds.

Earlier, the villagers used to catch plenty of fishes like Pengba, Sareng, Ngakra, Khabak, Ngaton and Porom. But, they are now able to catch a few of Porom, Ngachik, Ngamu, Ukabi, Katala, Ngapai, Ngapemma and Muka Nga.

The lake witnessed an irregular dramatic increase in weeds since 2003-04. If the dramatic increase of weeds remains unchecked at its rate, it would not be long for the lake to get extinct from the surface of the world.

At present, most of the shore area of the lake dried up in the winter season and it leads to the less production of Yellang, Loklei, Pullei, Komprek, Thangjing and Thamchet, which, the lake were producing in plenty in the past.

See photo gallery on Pumlen Lake here