Loktak: Graveyard of Sangais !
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 03 2010: Among many other reasons, deterioration of the Loktak Lake due to pollution and human factor are posing the greatest threat to the survival of the endangered brow-antlered deer known in the local parlance as Sangai even as a survey indicated decline in the annual flocking of migratory birds in the largest fresh water lake of the entire North East region.

These glaring facts came to light when a study under experts of Wildlife Wing of the State's forest and Environment Department was conducted since yesterday at some select spots within the 205 square kilometre lake.

Migratory birds fly past a hut built on the floating biomass of Loktak Lake.

While conflict along the route of the migratory birds, particularly in the middle east, is cited as one of the reasons for the decline in the arrival during winter months, alarming level of contamination of the Loktak Lake resulting in increase of acidity level of the Lake water is said to be threatening survival of the Sangai.

According to environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou, the endangered deer species is in danger of being entirely wiped out as there is strong indication of the Sangai suffering from genetic defection.

Explaining that pollution of the water body that encircles the Sangai's natural habitat is a cause for great alarm as it complicates birth apart from deformities due to infection of injuries when exposed to the polluted environment, Dr Shamungou cautioned that Loktak Lake is enduring constant chemical contamination.

While environmentally harmful substances are being deposited into the lake from various river sources stagnancy of the water body ever since construction of the Ithai barrage is accelerating pace of pollution, he maintained.

As remedial measures, experts believe that opening of the Ithai barrage at least for a month during peak monsoon season would help in the restoration of the lake's fresh water status consequently improving condition of the floating biomass where the Sangais live.

They also mooted that impact of nHPC's Loktak Hydro Electric Power Project on the surrounding environment need to be assessed on a regular basis for which a mid-environmental impact assessment would be purposeful.

Regarding decline in the number of migratory birds' arrival to the Loktak lake area, Dr Shamungou recounted that in about a decade the situation has worsened the most in terms of number as well as species compared to the beginning of the millennium wherein 15 to 17 migratory bird species used to flock in.

Speaking to The sangai Express after the study covered known destinations of migratory birds such as Biharipat (lake), Ngakrapat, Chinghou and surrounding areas, Dr Shamungou explained that if the total number and species are taken into account Loktak lake do not subscribe to the 'Ramsar site' norm.

He said records compiled from 1910 to 1913 when Manipur was under the British rule, suggest that Loktak used to be winter home for about 30 species of the migratory birds.

stating that apart from conflicts in the middle east and global warming most probable cause for migratory birds staying away from Loktak lake is pollution and increasing human activities, he said deposition of silt along with wastes is also a contributory factor.

He further estimated that out of about 6.70 lakh tonnes of mud and other solid materials carried through various rivers from the catchment areas on a yearly basis 50 percent of them are deposited in Loktak Lake.

Meanwhile, the survey roughly detected 2000 migratory birds in the Loktak Lake which include the coot (porom), gadwal (thoidingnam), pintail (meitunga), shovellor (khara), little grebe (ngathit) and common teal (urit) species.

Inspite of a specific government policy to extend financial assistance to the fish farmers who depend on the Loktak lake for sustenance as compensation for clearing the floating biomass fishing activities continue on an even wider scale.

While human activities in the habitat of the migratory birds are certain to disturb the food chain two third of the Lake is still covered by the floating biomass.