Imphal : A ‘One-day Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the Loktak Lake’ was held on Monday at the Conference Hall of IWT Building, Lake Front Garden, Sendra, in Bishnupur District. The Consultative Meeting was organised by Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and Manipur Technology Innovation Hub in collaboration with University of Nottingham, UK.

Asnikumar Singh, Chairman, LDA, Manipur in his inaugural address in the stated that the Loktak Lake is one of the main cradles of Manipuri civilization, culture and a main source of livelihood, direct and indirect for a plethora of households since centuries. He added, “The ecological value of the Loktak wetland complex is truly vast; it plays a huge role in the overall ecological context. Sadly, the lake is under serious threat from anthropogenic activities such as encroachment, pollution, and various unplanned developmental activities in and around the lake.” 

He also added that 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 communities dependent on them, the report of the advisory committee is on course to be released soon. 

He also mentioned that LDA has already drawn up an Integrated Management Plan (IMP) in consultation with WISA, and the same is technically evaluated by IIT Roorkee. In this regard, an approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI has already been sought.

 Regarding the same, a high level meeting chaired by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was held in New Delhi recently and during the meeting, positive signs had been given by the ministry for a quick approval. 

Dr. Virginia Panizzo, Associate Professor and National Geographic Explorer, University of Nottingham deliberated on “Lake and River Ecosystem Response to Pollution and Climate Change Impacts: recent evidence from sites across South East Asia, Ng.

Sanajaoba Meetei, SE/Wetland In-charge, LDA on “Threats and Challenges in Conservation and initiative of LDA in Conservation of Loktak Lake, K. Jugeshwore Singh, Environmentalist and Honorary Wildlife Warden, Bishnupur on “Importance of Waterbirds in the conservation of Loktak lake”, Hamish Duncalf -Youngson, British Geological Survey on “Understanding Human and Climate Change Impact on Loktak Lake using lake sediments”. An Interaction session of stakeholders was also conducted as part of the meeting. 

The meeting was attended by Dr Rajiv Kangabam, Lead, Manipur Technology Innovation Hub, representatives from community based organisations of the Loktak lake & catchment area, Scientist of LDA and members of Manipur Technology Innovation Hub, Imphal.