Union minister reviews Loktak conservation works
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB

Imphal, January 02 2022: Union Environment, Forest & Climate change minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday chaired a meeting with officials of the state government on an integrated management plan for conservation and preservation of Loktak Lake at the conference hall of Forest department, here.

Apart from the Union minister who is on an Official visit to the state, Forest & Environment minister Awangbow Newmai also attended the review meeting along with chairman of Loktak Development Authority (LDA), MLAs and officials of the Forest department, Environment and Climate Change directorate.

While reviewing various schemes and plans for the conservation and preservation of the biggest freshwater lake in the northeast region of the country, Yadav stressed the need for implementing the integrated management plan of Loktak in a responsible manner.

He said that all the plans and projects for the development of the lake would need to maintain the beautiful gift of nature of the lake besides participation of the local community residing in the periphery of the lake.

"The main issue is how to maintain the beautiful gift of nature of the lake with the participation of the local community," he said in the meeting.

He added that "the integrated management plan for the Loktak Lake will be successful if we keep in mind local aspirations and ambitions".

The Onion minister affirmed that his ministry has been committed to preservation and conservation of the lake from deteriorating due to human activities.

He said, "We should think of developing the natural gift of nature as the periphery of the Loktak Lake has a lot of species including the endangered ones and migratory birds arriving in the lake".

During the meeting, officials of the state Forest department and Environment and Climate change directorate made a powerpoint presentation on the activities being taken up by the departments and LDA for the conservation and preservation of the lake.

Speaking at the meeting, LDA chairman MLA L Susindro lauded the initiatives taken up by union minister Bhupender Yadav for saving Loktak Lake and forests of the tiny state of Manipur.

The union minister had recently visited Loktak Lake with an eye on saving and beautifying the lake.

The meeting was held with departments concerned and various local leaders to minutely discuss about an integrated plan for development of the lake under the ministry, he noted.

Stating that several initiatives for providing sustainable livelihood to Loktak fishers are included in the integrated plan, he maintained that discussions and meetings will be held with Loktak fishers so as to ensure success of any developmental projects.

He urged the people not to have the apprehension of losing the Loktak Lake and further assured of developing it as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

People should also support the initiatives taken up by the government, Susindro exhorted.

The state tourism department has also taken up several initiatives for beautification of the lake, he added.

While stating that Loktak Lake is the soul of Manipur, forest and environment minister Awangbow Newmai said that several presentations were displayed by experts in front of the union minister showing ways of saving the lake in the meeting.

The union minister has been taking keen interest in saving Loktak lake and preserving forest areas of the state since he became the union minister for forest and environment.

The union minister assured of taking up initiatives for saving the lake by inviting suggestions and feedbacks from the people and organising meetings and discussion programmes, he narrated.

Comment