Farmers' body urges inclusion of Ikop Pat in River Basin Master Plan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 21 2024: Khangabok Kendra Young Farmers' Development Organisation (KKYFDO), Thoubal district has appealed to the state government for inclusion of Ikop Pat in the upcoming master plan for improving river basins in the state.

The appeal has come in response to a recent statement by water resources minister Awangbou Newmai, who updated the progress of preparing a comprehensive master plan aimed at enhancing the state's river basins.

During a press meet held at Manipur PressClub, here, on Wednesday, KKYFDO secretary Dr Kh Akoisana emphasised the ecological and historical significance of Ikop Pat, a 48.50 square kilometre lake surrounded by several villages in Thoubal district, including Athokpam.

Khangabok, Leishangthem, Uchiwa, Sanathel, Wabagai, Tentha, and Tekcham-Papal.

The lake, which plays a vital role in the livelihoods of approximately 10 lakh people and supports around 50.000 hectares of agricultural land, has become a growing concern for the local community due to environmental and flooding issues, he said.

Dr Akoisana explained that Ikop Pat is increasingly filled with plants that produce hydrogen peroxide, posing ecological challenges to the area.

Moreover, the lake holds historical significance in Manipur's heritage, with legends of Khamba subduing a wild bull near the lake in Moirang Kangleiron.

The site of this historical event, known as Lanchingpung or Kaophapung, is preserved as a small islet in the middle of the lake.

Local residents have long been demanding construction of a ring road around Ikop Pat, which they believe would serve as a natural barrier to prevent flooding in surround -ing agricultural fields.

The closure of gates at the Ithai Barrage caused the water level in Ikop Pat to rise, leading to inundation of farmlands and increasing frequency of floods during the rainy season.

The lake's shallowing has exacerbated these flooding problems, necessitating an urgent solution all the more.

KKYFDO had previously developed and suggested a project proposal under the Namami Gange initiative to address these issues.

Tire former agriculture minister Th Biswajit supported the project with an unofficial note, leading to a field visit and cost estimate preparation by department officials with approval from the then IFCD minister Letpao Haokip.

However, the project was later shelved, with department officials claiming they could not locate the project file after the retirement of the engineers involved.

In a bid to revive the project, KKYFDO submitted Xerox copies of the documents in its possession to the department, but encountered further delays and excuses, such as the transfer of SO and the retirement of officials.

Expressing deep concern over the continued neglect of the project, Dr Akoisana called upon minister Awangbou Newmai to include the Ikop Pat project in the river basin master plan, stressing the importance of safeguarding the livelihoods and heritage of the local communities dependent on the lake.

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