Siltation may render Pumlen Pat extinct
Source: The Sangai Express

Kakching, July 30 2024: Without intervention to rejuvenate and revive, Pumlen Pat, one of the largest lakes in Manipur's Kakching district may soon vanish.

Increasing siltation--deposition of sediments has reduced the water body in size.

Only about 10 percent of Pumplen Pat has water now, said locals and an organisation that was formed to protect the lake.

They said lack of Government initiatives is a reason for the deteriorating condition of the lake.

Members of Pumlen Lake Development Organization and several media persons visited the lake today and studied its present state.

Pumlen Lake Development Organization's vice president Khwairakpam Oken said in a bid to revive the waterbody, Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the lake on February 20, 2023 .

Siltation may render Pumlen Pat extinct

During the visit, the Chief Minister promised to clean the lake and restore its past glory, and hand it over to the people by August 2023 .

However, no action has been taken up to restore the lake, Oken said.

Furthermore, the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) that has been officially tasked to look after the lake has also ignored it, Oken claimed.

In 2017, the Loktak Development Authority briefly carried out a cleaning work in the lake.

While the LDA did some work in the early years, it has not carried out any major dredging work which would improve the health of the lake, Oken said.

The prolonged negligence of the Government and the authorities concerned has reduced the lake to a mere water body that is shrinking in size, he added.

Siltation over the years has reduced the lake and over 90 percent of the lake has lost water.

It may go extinct without timely intervention of the Government, he said.

Oken said Pumlen Pat is considered the 2nd largest lake after Loktak, and around 26 villages depend on it for livelihoods.

Now, people of these villages have started to move out and look for livelihood in other places, he added.

Pumlen Pat is a treasure of the State.

The Government and the authorities concerned including the LDA must take up steps to improve and restore the lake to its past glory, Oken said.

He urged the Chief Minister to keep his promise and save the lake from extinction.

He also appealed to the local MLA and people to take proactive roles in protecting the lake and saving it for future.

Restoring the lake would attract tourists and improve the economy of the locals, he added.