Shrinking wetlands linked to dip in biodiversity
Source: The Sangai Express / Moirangthem Khagemba
Imphal, June 22 2026:
Like many other regions, wetlands in Manipur have long supported a rich diversity of aquatic life.
However, in recent decades, the shrinking of these wetland ecosystems due to encroachment and other factors has led to a noticeable decline in biodiversity.
For instance, sightings of fireflies have now become rare.
In this regard, Ningthoujam Suraj, a fisher from Tokpaching, told The Sangai Express that many fish and insect species have disappeared or have become very rare in Manipur due to environmental changes and the degradation of wetlands.
He said that fish species such as Meetei Ngamu, Ngakichou, Ngakra, Porom, Pengba, Khabak, Nganap, Ngaton, Nganoi, Ngaril etc, which were once abundantly found in Manipur, are now becoming scarce.
Suraj further said that fireflies, which were widely seen in the past, are now seldom seen.
While many wetlands have disappeared, several others exist only in name, he said and added that many people who once depended on wetlands for their livelihood have now shifted to other occupations.
According to the National Atlas Report (1989-90) of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO, the area covered by water bodies in Manipur was 36,824.63 hectares (1.65 per cent of the State's total geographical area) .
This declined to 52,959 hectares in 1997 .
The SAC report also stated that around 30 wetlands had disappeared by 2021 compared to 2010 .
The 2021 report noted the existence of around 132 wetlands in Manipur.
In these wetlands, several plants such as Kanghoo, Pullei, Komprek, Loklei, Eshing Kundo, Koukha, and Heikak grew widely but are no longer commonly found.
Likewise, insects such as Naosek, firefly, Tharai Kuppi etc are also disappearing due to the degradation of wetlands.
Environmentalist Khangembam Samungou added that, apart from climate change and the degradation of wetlands, the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides has a severe impact on biodiversity.
He noted that fish species such as Ngakra, Porom, and other species that mostly live in stagnant water are disappearing.
These changes are largely driven by human activities, and their consequences will ultimately be faced by humans, he said, adding that it is natural for aquatic life to disappear when rivers dry up and water bodies vanish.
He further said that the use of chemicals and electricity for fishing is harmful and unsustainable.
Samungou continued that Loktak Lake was once home to a wide variety of fish species and other aquatic life, but the situation is no longer the same, as only a few species are now found in the lake.
He said that the construction of the Ithai Barrage is one of the factors responsible for the decline in fish population in Loktak Lake.
Stating that the disappearance of indigenous fish species has also affected "our culture," he noted that Nganaap was traditionally served to the bride and groom on their wedding day, but it is now difficult to arrange as Nganaap has become scarce.
Likewise, Meitei Ngamu, which is used for religious purposes in Meitei weddings, is becoming scarce.
Traditionally, indigenous fish were released into ponds as part of Meitei wedding rituals, but this practice is now often carried out by releasing fish from buckets onto the ground due to the disappearance of water bodies, he added.
Dr MA Salam, Subject Matter Specialist (Fisheries) at KVK, Imphal East, on the other hand, stated that the Sareng project launched by the Government to revive species such as Meitei Sareng and Pengba has yielded positive results.
This report is written as part of the 7th State-Level Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change, organised by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change .
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