Hold public consultation on abrogation of LPA: ALLFUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2018:
Hailing the State Government's move to review the 'draconian' Loktak Protection Act, 2006, All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen Union Manipur (ALLFUM) urged the Government to conduct a public consultation process at least for six months or one year before the introduction of the proposed new Bill in the coming Assembly session.
Speaking media persons at Manipur Press Club today, ALLFUM secretary Oinam Rajen said that the move came in the aftermath of submitting a memorandum to the Government on January 27 demanding abrogation of the contentious Act.
He observed that the proposed new Bill should not be introduced in the coming Assembly session as there have been some experiences since 2006 after the Act was enacted.
He mentioned that there is surely a conflict with the local people who live inside and around the Loktak Lake, that must be addressed comprehensively.
The Act or the new Bill must be translated into Manipuri language for a public consultation at least for six months or one year and inputs must be called by email or by post.
Hence, the new Bill must not be introduced in the coming Assembly session, he said.
Rajen also highlighted several severe problems in the formation of State Wetlands Authority under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017 by disbanding Loktak Development Authority (LDA).
He asserted that LDA cannot be just renamed and become an adequate body that can manage all the wetlands in the State.
LDA has an inherent crisis of lack of local representation in its structure and lack of expertise in its composition.
It is because of this inherent flaw that had resulted in a far reaching degradation of the lake and encroachment by vested parties, he pointed out.
He said that if the Government is moving for State Wetlands Authority then it is logical that there should be Wetlands Protection Act which is separated from the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act of 2014 .