ALLAFUM dubs Loktak Act anti-people, demands amendment
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 10 2023: Terming the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act 2006 as anti-people and lacking provisions to protect the lake, All Loktak Lake Areas Fishers' Union Manipur (ALLAFUM) has demanded the government to amend the Act so as to make it more subtle towards the people depending on the lake and yet more stringent for protecting it.

Addressing a press meet at the office premises of Indigenous Perspective at Chingmeirong Maning Leikai here on Friday, ALLAFUM secretary Rajen Oinam reminded that Loktak Lake is a recognised wetland included in the list of Ramsar sites and demanded the government to fully implement Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017.Branding the existing Manipur Loktak Late Protection Act as anti-people and ultra vires as it does not have any provision for conservation of the historic lake, he urged the government to scrap the Act or amend it but with strict compliance with the regulations related to Ramsar sites.

Rajen Oinam also recalled how 777 huts were torched without giving prior information to the owners in the name of protecting the lake in 2011 and said that people are still recovering from such harsh action of the government.

People, who are depending on the lake, also want to protect the lake since degeneration of the water body is akin to losing livelihoods for thousands of families.

Even though the government is putting efforts to protect the lake, structural constructions continue in and around the lake.

So far, the initiatives taken up by the government contradicts its commitment of restoring the ecosystem and biodiversity of the lake, the secretary maintained.

He also recalled how the Governor expressed concern over the degrading biodiversity in and around that lake, directly impacting the flora and fauna including Sangai.

In the earlier times, excess rainwater used to be drained into the Lake and prevent flood.

However, people are encroaching on the lake and buildings are seen around the lake.

As a result, the state is witnessing frequent flood.

The foremost task for protecting the lake should be demarcation of its boundary and evicting the encroachers with a strong political will, he said.

Rajen further said that Champu Khangpok floating village is a recognised village since 1991 census.

However, the villagers are still deprived of benefits of government schemes.

The Central government had sanctioned around Rs 20 lakh for development of the village under Prime Minister's Adarsh Gram Yojana but the fund has failed to serve any purpose.

ALLAFUM submitted a complaint letter to the state vigilance and anti-corruption cell on August 3 last year.

However, no initiative has been taken up till date, he alleged.

Demanding the government to bring out a whitepaper, he cautioned that they will launch agitation if the government fails to bring it out.

The secretary also demanded the government to declare Champu Khangpok floating village as a heritage site.

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