Loktak Lake to host events of G20
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 04 2022: As India assumed presidency of the G20, Manipur will be hosting events of the Group of 20 Summit at Loktak Lake in mid February, said Loktak Development Authority Chairman M Asnikumar Singh.

The possibility of Manipur hosting the G20 Summit events from February 15 to 17 was announced by Chief Minister N Biren Singh earlier, he said adding Loktak Lake will be an important event site.

He said this while inspecting several sites of the lake along with CAF, PD & PHE Minister Leishangthem Susindro Meetei today.

Following the direction of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) is thoroughly and regularly reviewing the ongoing cleaning work in the lake.

The authority is also in the process of identifying appropriate sites for creation of required infrastructure for the G-20 event, he added.

Meanwhile, Asnikumar said the Loktak Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in North East India, is under serious threat from anthropogenic activities such as encroachment, pollution, changes in water levels, and various developmental activities in and around the water body.

"We have reached a point in our history where we cannot take a back seat and let others decide on the fate of the iconic Loktak Lake which is regarded as the cradle of Manipur's civilization" .

The State Government is determined to make Loktak Lake an iconic wetland in the entire world, he said.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) is moving ahead with community participation, research, policies and conservation activities to fulfil the mandate of conservation and sustainable management of the lake.

The LDA has constituted an Expert Advisory Committee to address the issues related to the fast-changing ecological status and their impact on the socio-economic condition of the community dependent on the lake.

The committee is being led by Prof Dr Rajiv Sinha of IIT Kanpur and its report will be submitted soon, he added.

The State Government is also working on a long-term plan to conserve and preserve the lake, he said and informed that the Chief Minister has taken up the initiative and approached the Asian Development Bank with a detailed project report to rejuvenate the lake's ecology and improve the livelihood of those dependent on the lake for sustenance.

He further added that the State Government has already approved a short-term plan for wise use of Loktak Lake and is awaiting for final say from the Union Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change.

Regarding prevention of encroachers in the lake, he informed that an empowered committee, comprising three Cabinet Ministers, Chairman of LDA and officials of stakeholders Departments has been formed recently by the Government to determine the actual boundary of the Loktak Lake.

The committee will submit its report within 3 months to the Chief Minister.

The first sitting of this committee was held on November 13 last and was chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The sitting took crucial decisions, he said.

He also added that the LDA is also determined to safeguard the livelihood of the fishing community.

It has suggested the State Government to regulate and come up with a fishing policy to check on the dwindling fish population in the lake.

Maintaining that the construction of floating homestays would provide ample employment opportunities to youths, as well as promote eco-tourism in the State, he said that the Government is setting up guidelines for the construction of the floating homestays that reflect the cultural heritage and are environment-friendly.

He added that with a strong sense of hope and optimism, the work of conservation and management of Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands could be achieved with the collective cooperation and efforts of all stakeholders.

In the recently concluded Manipur Sangai Festival, a huge number of tourists, both domestic and foreigners including high level dignitaries visited the Loktak Lake.

For the first time, India's Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar also visited the lake and spent quite some time there.

Other dignitaries including Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, Union Law & Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju and Ambassadors of different countries also visited the lake.

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