Meet on Loktak Lake conservation calls for probe on K-Pro deal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 21 2012: Affirming that Loktak lake has been a physical and spiritual source of all indigenous peoples of Manipur, a State level convention held today has resolved to demand a CBI investigation into the scandalous phumdi (floating biomass) clearance work process in Loktak Lake and insisted that the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act 2006 should be repealed.

The convention organised by All Loktak Lake Fishermen Union and Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur at Manipur Press Club also adopted various other resolutions related to protecting Loktak lake and other wetlands of Manipur.

The convention called upon the Governments of India and Manipur to institute an inquiry by the CBI on the scandalous phumdi clearance work process on Loktak Lake, including all processes of awarding contract to K-Pro Infra Works Private Ltd in 2009 and the role of Progressive Construction Limited and the Government of Manipur in such contracts.

Demanding that LDA furnish all details on the controversial contract, especially the details of the earnest money submitted by K-Pro along with the financial bid and details of bank guarantee for mobilization of advance and also mode of payment of mobilization advance (no.of instalments) and details of shareholders for K-Pro company, the convention resolved that officials involved in the violations should be punished.

File pic of Phumdis being cleared on Loktak Lake

Investigate the correlation of phumdi clearance by K-Pro and arsoning of floating huts, forced eviction and displacement of several thousands of fishing communities from Loktak Lake and immediately restore status quo by allowing them to resettle in Loktak Lake, was another resolution that was also adopted to the authorities concerned to provide adequate compensation for the hardship caused to fishing communities during the arson and eviction in November 2011 .

Besides demand the repeal of Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006, it also sought revision of the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including the proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National Park, and take appropriate steps to decommission the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Project as per recommendations of World Commission on Dams, 2000 .

Chalking out a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policies in Manipur with community participation as per guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation and formation of a "Joint Committee on the Preservation of Loktak Wetlands" with Islam Makakcha, secretary general of HERICOUN as the convenor and representatives of all organisations of the State Level Convention as co-convenors were also resolved at the day-long session.

It also demanded that the Government reveal action taken and present status with regard to the recommendations by the Manipur State Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission to investigate the contract awarded to K-Pro for phumdi clearance.

Presenting the key-note address, Jiten Yumnam, co-convenor, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur highlighted that the Loktak Lake management process is full of controversy.

He explained that Tehelka, based in New Delhi exposed the corruption in the process of awarding a Rs.224 crores contract for "Management of Phumdis in the Loktak Lake" to a new company, K-Pro Infra Works Limited with only 10 lakhs as paid up capital and existing only on paper.

Despite K-pro the lone bidder, it received the work contracts in violation of the Central Public Works Department norms, which requires at least three bidders for such tenders, Jiten said while noting that Loktak Lake is a designated Protected Site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

However, the Government failed to ensure participation of communities depending on Loktak Wetlands the management of Loktak Lake in violation of Ramsar Convention, he said.

As a resource person, Imphal Free Press editor Irengbam Arun alleged clear conspiracy and manipulation in the work process for phumdi clearance in Loktak Lake and questioned involvement of a black-listed company as a partner of K-Pro.

He also questioned interest of Chief Minister and Government of Manipur in according an interest-free mobilisation rate of Rs 224 crores to K-Pro and its associate PCL, the latter blacklisted by the World Bank for its dubious records.

Dr RK Ranjan, chairperson of Citizens concern for Dams and Development expressed serious concern that wetlands are fast shrinking in Manipur.

He also stated that the natural water management function of Loktak Wetlands is completely disturbed after the commissioning of the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project in 1984 .

The Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 enacted by the Govt of Manipur to protect wetlands has only targeted the communities, fishing communities depending on the wetlands for physical and spiritual survival, he added.

All Loktak Lake Fishermen Union secretary Oinam Rajen said that Phumdis, floating vegetative mass, floating huts and the Sangai are the key characteristics of Loktak lake but the Loktak Development Authority instead of considering the relationship of communities with wetlands only insists on supplying water for the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, while blaming the communities.

The Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 has caused enormous suffering to communities living in and around Loktak Lake by imposing series of restrictions on the livelihood sources and way of living among fishing communities in Loktak, he noted.