New LDA chairman sets task for conservation of Loktak
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 19 2022: M Ashinikumar Singh, who had recently assumed the charge as chairman of Loktak Development Authority (LDA), has reviewed the Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 and restructured the LDA with a new dimension for holistic approach in order to reconstruct its policy programme in consultation with all the stakeholders concerned and international experts, an LDA press release issued on Tuesday said.

According to the release, Ashinikumar analysed the issues pertaining to Loktak Lake in the socio-economical parameters after the commissioning of the Loktak Hydel Power Project.

The ecological condition of the lake has already reached alarming level with adverse consequences on the livelihood of the lake dwellers as well as the ecological cycle of the lake.

Considering the condition of Loktak Lake, the LDA chairman has written to the chief minister and the minister of Forest & Environment & Climate Change requesting for involvement of highly reputed institutes with expertise in the field like Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Technology, Wetlands of International South-East Asia (WISA), and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Recently, chairman Ashinikumar convened a series of meetings with the dwellers of the lake where he called for their co-operation and active participation in conservation mission.

He set a new vision, a new outlook for a holistic approach for Loktak Lake's conservation mission, which needs to be given priority on ecological parameters, community engagement, technical-engineering intervention and strong co-ordination with related departments, the release said.

LDA also expressed its concern over a number of illegal encroachment and constructions taken place within the protected area of Loktak Lake and urged those involved to remove such illegal structures while warning of legal action against those defaulters within 3 weeks with immediate effect.

LDA also informed that on the advice of the state's chief minister, chairman Ashinikumar had convened a joint meeting with additional chief secretary (Forest & Envt & Climate Change), secretary (Revenue), joint secretary (Revenue), deputy commissioners of Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching, director (Fisheries), and senior officials of LDA.

The meeting discussed issues regarding encroachment and land allotment inside protected areas of Loktak Lake and its associate wetlands and instructed the officials present at the meeting to submit a concrete report within 3 weeks.

The release further informed that Ashinikumar has approached the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Climate Change for approval of "Wise-Use Policy of the Loktak Lake", which has already been approved by the state government.

The vision of the newly appointed chairman of LDA is to make a long term management action plan for conservation and sustainable management of the Loktak Lake and its associate wetlands for the present as well as future generations, it added.

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