IFM suggests river basin planning
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 05 2024: Taking serious note of the devastating floods and droughts witnessed in the State almost very year, the Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM) has urged the Government to formulate a long-term policy through proper river basin planning and management.

The IFM submitted a five-point memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren on Thursday in this regard.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, IFM president Kh Gopen Luwang said it's time for all stakeholders to ponder over the factors responsible for frequent floods and droughts in the State.

The flood being faced by the State at present is not the first and it would not be the last.

The present generation has been facing the devastating impacts of flash floods quite often.

Large scale deforestation in the catchment areas of Imphal River, Iril River, Kongba River and Nambul River is one major factor for such flash floods, Gopen said.

Siltation on river beds, construction activities on river banks and disappearance of wetlands are some other factors for the frequent floods, he said.

The IFM president then urged the Government to set up river basin planning and management bodies with active participation of local people.

Land classification and zonation after a systematic land use survey and efforts to enlist surviving wetlands under the Ramsar Convention are some other demands put forward by the IFM.

It also asked the Government to provide fair and adequate compensation for all the losses wrought by floods.

The memorandum further demanded constitution of a high power expert committee to tackle floods and droughts in the State.

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