Loktak necessary for the future: Newmai
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 10 2020: Safeguarding Loktak Lake is necessary to protect the future and life of people of Manipur, said Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow Newmai.

He made the statement today at the reception cum felicitation programme organised by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) at the 2nd Floor of Secure Building Complex.

The Minister said Loktak Lake is the source of life for the people of Manipur and survival will be difficult without its existence.

The State is facing water scarcity both in the valley and in the hills, he said expressing serious concern over the drying up of rivers and other water bodies.

He opined that if all the rivers of the State dry up in the future, then the last resort would be using the water of Loktak Lake.

He said that saving and protecting Loktak Lake is crucial for the survival of the people of the State and generations to come.

At present, the lake is endangered by various elements such as encroachment and receding water level due to scanty rains and low water level in rivers etc.

If not protected well, the lake would be lost along with its flora and fauna, he said.

Encouraging the preservation of the lake, the Minister assured full cooperation from his side and welcomed ideas and suggestions from the officials of the LDA (Loktak Development Authority).

Joint cooperation between the Government, LDA officials and the people of the State will surely pave a way to save Loktak Lake, he added.

Ng Sanajaoba Singh, Superintendent Engineer, LDA presented a detailed power-point presentation on "Conservation and Management of Loktak Lake" .

Loktak Development Authority (LDA) was established in 1987 under Societies Registration Act.

It first functioned under the IFCD (Irrigation And Flood Control Department) and later under the Forest and Environment Department.

LDA was reconstituted as a statutory body enacting the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006 .

In 2019, it was mandated to manage the associated wetlands (Pumlen, Ikop, Kharung, Khoidum among others) .

L Sushindro Singh, Chairman LDA, MH Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest), LDA Project Director L Bhagaton Singh and officials of the LDA attended the function.

Comment