132 lakh cubic metre of phumdi removed: LDA
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 10 2016: The Loktak Development Authority (LDA) has started works to conserve and manage Loktak lake and sustained efforts have been taken up in Phumdi and Water Management said Longjam Bhagaton, Project Director of LDA during a press conference held here today organized by DIPR.

He said open water areas have been restored and water quality has improved resulting in increase in fish yield.

Removal of phumdi was carried out in the core area of the lake which was 70 sq Kms in area.

Altogether Rs 270.20 crore was spent in removing phumdis from the core area at the rate of Rs 3.86 per sq Km.

The total volume of phumdis removed from the core zone was 132 lakh cubic metre, Bhagaton said.

Navigation within the lake has also improved and it has been observed that there is mitigation in flood problems in wet season and more water availability during lean season in five upper riparian areas.

There is gradual increase in vegetation areas and pressure on forest has been reduced through livelihood programmes .

Availability of fish fingerlings have been made possible through operationalisation of 16 Fish hatcheries in peripheral villages .

The capacity of Keibul Lamjao National Park Management has been enhanced.

The Loktak Lake designated by the Govt.of India as Wetland of International Importance under Ramsar Convention (Ramsar site No.463 of 1990) is also a 'Protected Wetland' under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 of the Ministry of Environment and Forest by virtue of being a Ramsar site.

It continues to be in the Montreux record since 1993 but the adverse changes in its ecological character are yet to be comprehensively addressed.

The lake covers an area of 236.21 sq Km excluding 40 sq Km of Keibul Lamjao National Park and 5 sq km.

of Takmu Fishery farm.

The lake is oval in shape with maximum length and width of 32 km and 13 km.

respectively.

The average depth of the lake is recorded as 2.7 m.Loktak and associated lakes which are essentially floodplain wetlands of Manipur River provide critical support to ecological and economic security of the entire State through provisioning to fisheries and other aquatic resources, serving as habitat of several rare and endangered biodiversity (in particular globally endangered ungulate species Cervus Eldi Eldi), and supporting hydropower generation.

The values and functions of these wetlands are inextricably connected to the developmental activities within the entire Loktak Wetland complex.

Loktak Wetland complex with its numerous floating lands covers a variety of habitats, which sustain rich biological diversity.

Floral diversity (macrophytes) in the lake is 160.It includes all submerged, free floating, floating leafed, emergent and terrestrial types growing above the phumdi biomass.

The macro fauna comprises of a number of vertebrate and invertebrate species.

A total of 425 species of animals (249 vertebrates and 179 invertebrates) have been identified from the lake.

The invertebrate includes 16 species of annelids, 150 species of arthropods and 10 species of molluscs.

The vertebrate fauna comprises 6 species of amphibia, 54 species of fishes, 8 reptiles, 106 species of birds (resident and migratory) and 32 species of mammals.

The total faunal diversity is likely to be much higher as many species have not been properly identified and described.

The Government of Manipur constituted Loktak Development Authority (LDA) in 1986 for overall improvement and management of the lake.

The objective of the Authority has been to check deteriorating conditions of the lake and to bring about improvement of the lake along with development in the fields of fisheries, agriculture, tourism and afforestation in the watershed areas.

Mission of LDA is restoration and development of Loktak Lake resources and biodiversity for present and future generations through participatory processes, research and conservation activities.

Implementation of restoration plans for Loktak has been initiated since 1996.LDA in its initial phases with financial support of the North Eastern Council, Finance Commission and Ministry of Environment and Forests undertook activities for treating degraded catchments, desiltation of peripheral areas, improvement of drainage system and control of water hyacinth.

The need for developing a comprehensive baseline was felt to create a basis for integrated management of the lake.

Based on the project outcomes, a Manipur River Basin scale integrated management plan for conservation and management of Loktak Lake was formulated in 2005 .

The overarching goal of the plan is conservation and sustainable use of Loktak and associated wetlands for ecological security and livelihood improvement of local communities.

Management plan started in 2008 with financial support provided by the Planning Commission.

Following a review process initiated by Planning Commission in the later part of 2008, a Short Term Action Plan (STAP) for conservation and management of Loktak Lake was formulated reprioritizing the pressing issues with the changing ecological state since project formulation.

The objective of the STAP is to control soil erosion , improving water regimes, enhance water holding capacity, improve sanitation, manage floods and integrate ecosystem requirements of water in barrage operations.

The LDA is now trying to plan an inclusive management of entire wetland complex, enhance institutional effectiveness, hydrological connectivity of wetlands and rivers.

Water quality improvement through waste management, management of phumdi , biodiversity conservation through protection and habitat improvement, reducing sedimentation from critical watersheds, ensuring sustainable livelihoods of wetland dependent communities and supporting ecotourism linking cultural heritage, biodiversity, livelihoods are the issues the LDA will be dealing in the future.

Th.Hemchandra, Asstt Conservator Forest, A Kumarjit, SE and Dr.S Shyamjai, Scientist also attended the press conference.

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