Encroachment, Govt apathy pose threat to Lampha Pat
Source: Chronicle News Service / Ngangom Suraj

Imphal, May 23 2024: Once a destination for different species of migratory birds, Lampha/Nam-phat Pat is one of the many water bodies impacted by climate change and reckless human activities with nothing left to even indicate that it was once a wetland.

Today, the whole of area the wetland has been reduced to a patch of grazing land for cattle and privately owned farmlands.

Spread over 200 'Paris' of land, Lampha/Nampha pat in Imphal West district used to serve as a source of sustenance for people residing in Khaidem, Khumbong, Moidangpok, Moidangpok Khunou, Shajirok, Heikrujam, Leishom villages, etc.

People depended on the wetland for fishing, collecting wild vegetables and carrying out agricultural activities.

Though encroachment is the primary reason for the wetland's disappearance, climate change too is responsible as scantier rainfall is abetting drying up of the water bodies.

Adding salt to the wound, literally, the government in 2020 occupied the wetland for establishing campus of Manipur Technical University (MTU), which some farmers opposed and filed cases in the court against the government's plan.

On the other hand, authorities have discovered presence of fossil fuel underneath the wetland, another reason for the locals to raise objection as they fear that oil exploration/extraction exercise will consequently lead to eviction drive.

Apart from the importance of wetland in maintaining ecological balance of a region, the Lampha Pat also has historical relevance as it is believed that the wetland was named after a particular eVent mentioned in the mythology of Moirang Kangleirol where Akhongjamba kidnapped goddess Phouoibi to marry her.

However, judging by the present condition, the wetland appears to have been long neglected by the authorities and it is feared that the future as well as the present generations will lose its traces if left to degrade.

There is urgent need for immediate actions to preserve the wetland so as to conserve the plant and animal species which depend on it and also for the humans as a whole.

One Pebam Robindro Singh (47), son of Pebam Tomba of Khaidem Makha Leikai, recalled that some decades back, the wetland used to be watery even during winter or dry seasons with people from far and near fishing, collecting vegetables and carrying out agricultural activities.

Even the Uyungkhong/Shagolot River, the main river that used to flow into the wetland, was wide enough for swimming from one side to the other, but now it is just a few feet wide, he lamented.

Further recalling species of migratory birds, some as large as a domestic swan and some as tall as a child, they used to flock to the wetland every year, Robindro said, while noting that now barely any birds other than local species could be visible feeding or roosting as most part of the wetland has turned into either natural grazing field or utilised by private parties.

He also pointed out that changing climatic pattern characterised by erratic rainfall, deficient to be specific, is accelerating loss of the wetland while reduced flow of river water is affecting the farming community.

Pebam Premkumar (55), son of (L) Pebam Bheigya, treasurer of Khaidem Lampa Kanba Lup expressed concern that if the wetland is filled up for the construction of Manipur Technical University (MTU) campus, the locals will definitely face flash flood during monsoon and water scarcity in dry season.

According to him, parts of the wetland have been allotted equally to the local populace to prevent dispute arising out of encroachment.

While claiming that more than 80 per cent of the wetland's natural size has been reduced in the form of agricultural field and fish farms, he added that some have even resolved to sell their portions to outsiders.

Pointing out that part of Lampha/Namphapat namely Tharoi Houbi, Thamna Thabi, Shija Lou, Lairel Kom, Anilong Kom, Kong-ngoi, Lou Kut, Pat Kok, Shan Puthabi, Dolaithabi, Tinfa Kom, etc., are culturally and traditionally associated with the Meetei community, Premkumar appealed to authorities concerned for initiating measures to safeguard the wetland at the earliest.

He expressed confidence that restoring the wetland would able to ensure a sustainable way of living for the locals, which is the need of the hour.

(The news report has been filed under the 4th Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change Reporting sponsored by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur) .

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