Report of Loktak advisory committee launched
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, July 28 2023:
The Report of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on the "Long-Term Perspective Plan for Conservation and Wise Use of Loktak and Associated Wetlands" was launched by Loktak Development Authority (LDA) chairman M Asnikumar Singh along with chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi (IAS) and ACS (FE&CC) MH Khan (IAS) at Manipur Secretariat (South Block), Imphal on Friday.
During the programme, Dr Vineet Joshi pledged his full support and said that the report is an excellent approach.
He said that as Loktak Lake is the pride of the state all concerned stakeholders should work togetherfor its revival and conservation.
Speaking on the occasion, ACS MH Khan expressed that a sincere effort by the LDA to prepare the recommendations would certainly be fruitful for future management and restoration of Loktak Lake while LDA chairman M Asnikumar expressed gratitude to all the members of the EAC led by Prof Rajeev Sinha (IIT Kanpur) .
He infonngd that the com-prehensive report is culmination of earnest efforts of the committee members since the past one year.
"This report is vital in bringing about a change in the LDA's approach; based on scientific research, long term perspective and community participation in the wise use of the Loktak lake," he asserted.
He continued that it will also help in preparation of the detailed project report of the sustainable Loktak lake ecosystem restoration, ecotour-ism and livelihood improvement project (with technical and financial support of the Asian Development Bank).
It is an ongoing initiative of the State Government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, he added.
Based on the analysis of several contributing factors that are responsible for the degradation of the Loktak, the committee recommended several measures.
The committee divide the recommendation into three groups, such as scientific Intervention, restructuring of LDA for better governance and community participation.
Some of these recommendations are the operational policy of the Ithai Barrage, the hydroelectric project and the water policy is to be reviewed urgently.
Rejuvenation of out flow channels such as Khordak and Ungamel should restore hydrological connectivity and water balance of the Lokak wetland.
The Committee also recommended that the Ithai Barrage needs to be opened more frequently.
Constant monitoring of the phumdi thickness and strengthening of technical expertise are also some of the other points recommended by the committee.
The expert advisory committee was formed last year with Prof (Dr) Rajiv Sinha/i IIT Kanpur as chairman with Prof (Dr) Sushma Yadav, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) SS Chhabra, Prof (Dr) Ksh Lai Bihari Sing-ha, MU Dr SA Hussain, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun; Dr BK Das, CFRI; Dr Ritesh Kumar, WISA; Prof (Dr) Surabhi Mehrotra, NIT, Bhopal; Dr Goldin Quadros, MoEF&CC, Gol; Prof Thing-baijam Binoy Singh, MU; and Ng Sanajaoba Meitei, LDA member secretary.
PCCF SS Chhabra, MU Prof Lalbihari Singh, Prof Th Binoy Singh, PD LDA Bhagaton, LDA SE/Wetland in-charge Ng Sanajaoba and senior scientists of LDA were also present at the launch function.