Taste of fresh and supple fish can be relished only if Government undertakes needful action
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2018: The people of Manipur would be able to relish varieties of fresh and supple fish caught from Inle Lake (in Shan State of Myanmar), Irrawaddy river and Chindwin river of Myanmar if the State Government initiates necessary steps to bring in the fishes within a short period of time to the State.

After the official opening of International Border of Myanmar-India on August 8, Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Manipur organised a nine days media tour to Myanmar on September 9, during which the media persons visited different tourists destinations of the country.

During the tour, The Sangai Express witnessed several travel destinations, visited many locations and places of interest including Taunggyi city of Shan State, Inpawkhon village, Inle Lake (which is 22 km long and 10 km wide).

The Myanmar check post located 4 kms away from the beautiful Inle Lake verifies the tourists and gives entry tickets at the rate of Rs 650 (1350 Kyatt).

Apart from promoting the Lake to the tourists, the ticket system is a means of livelihood for most of the locals in the area.

Later, the media persons reach Hotel Paradise near the freshwater Inle Lake.

People can experience the beautifully set up hotels, shops near the Lake as the locals set up different hotels which present beautiful views of the Lake to attract the tourists.

The people of Shan State can also be seen promoting local made products and vintage items to the tourists as a means of generating income.

The team of media persons enjoyed a boat ride (nine people for a boat) witnessing beauty of Inle Lake.

The Sangai, Express also observed the people of Myanmar setting fish traps, gathering plants/ vegetables which grow under the Lake and plantation of various plants on the islet (Phum) which are important sources for income generation.

Many pagodas were also seen along the Inle Lake as well.

Myanmar provides large opportunities for the people to earn their livelihood by selling souvenirs and through the attraction of tourists by the beautifully built monasteries, hotels, markets etc.

After the boat ride, the team reached a restaurant built on the Lake and relished a variety of foods offered by the restaurant and continued their journey by visiting Khit Sunn Yin Lotus, Silk and Cotton Hand Weaving Centre at Inpawkhon village.

The Sangai Express also came across the womenfolk weaving threads from lotus stems and making them into clothes and garments.

While speaking to The Sangai Express, a local person conveyed that at least 20 varieties of fish are found in the Lake including Shareng, Tunghanbi, Ngaprum (eel).

Claiming that the number of eels are slowly decreasing in the Lake, the person stated that necessary steps are being undertaken to save and protect the fish.

The person proudly claimed that Myanmar Scientists have declared that maximum varieties of fish are available in Inle Lake.

The Sangai Express found that the freshly fried and cooked fish caught from the Lake had a unique and different taste which differs from the ice-packed fish, brought into Manipur after long period of shipping.

On the other hand, Act East Policy convenor RK Shivachandra conveyed that fishermen of the country are generating their income by selling Pengba fish, which they catch in large numbers from Irrawaddy and Chindwin river (which runs in Mynamar).

He claimed that building of Ithai river probably blocked the said fish from swimming up the rivers into Manipur which decreased its availability in Manipur as well.

The people of Manipur would be able to taste these fresh and supple fish within two nights time from the neighbouring country of Myanmar if the State Government takes up appropriate steps.

These fishes, which are only two nights away, will contain more heath benefits as compared to the ice packed fish imported to Manipur, which usually takes a long time to reach the State.

It is believed that around 52 metric tonnes of fish are consumed in a year while the Fishery Department has often claimed that only 32 metric tonnes of fish are produced every year in Manipur.

The majority of the people are consuming spoilt ice packed Shareng.

However, the freshly caught Shareng from Irrawaddy and Chindwin river will definitely taste better and have better health benefits as well.

During the tour, DIPR Director H Balkrishna stated that Inle Lake is quite similar to Loktak Lake and both the freshwater Lake are famous worldwide.

He claimed that the Myanmar Government, through Public Private Partnership (PPP), is undertaking steps to protect and promote the Lake and around 1000 hotels are being set up on the Lake.

One difference between Loktak Lake and Inle Lake is that there are less infrastructure and minimum number of tourists visiting the Loktak Lake.

He conveyed that a total of Rs 20,000 was paid as entry fee for 28 member team, while entering Inle Lake and added that only the fee alone would help in boosting the country's income.

Balkrishna claimed that such kind of revenue does not come from Loktak Lake.

Stating that varieties of vegetables including tomatoes, brinjal, pulses and dais are planted on the islet (Phum) of Inle Lake, the Director conveyed that Shan State is successfully trading their produces with China, Laos and Thailand (which are its neighbouring countries).

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the State's revenue will improve if such kind of initiatives are taken up in Manipur as well.

If plantation, farming is carried out extensively at Loktak Lake similar to Inle Lake, the problem of unemployment will be solved to an extent and the State will be able to generate some income, he added.

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