Imphal: A ‘One-day Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the Loktak Lake’ was held Monday at the Conference Hall of the IWT Building, Lake Front Garden, Sendra, Bishnupur District. The consultative meeting was organised by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and the Manipur Technology Innovation Hub in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, UK.
Chairman, LDA, M. Asnikumar Singh, stated that the Loktak Lake is one of the main cradles of Manipuri civilization and has been a main source of livelihood (direct and indirect) for thousands of households for 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 highlighted that the Government of Manipur is determined to make Loktak Lake an iconic wetland site in the global context. He also stated, “Under the visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi and 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”.
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.
Stressing the importance of local community participation and cooperation from the general public as crucial factors to ensure success in the conversation mission, he appealed for participation, cooperation, and active support from the local communities (settled in and around the lake) and the general public of the state.
He added, “Such consultative meetings are the need of the hour. Wetlands experts engaging in thorough interactions with the communities/dwellers of the Loktak wetland complex are invaluable in the conservation mission.” On behalf of the LDA, he extended heartfelt gratitude to the faculty members of Nottingham University, UK, and the Manipur Technology Innovation Hub, Imphal, for initiating such a meaningful meeting for loktak and appealed to them for extending all possible assistance and sought cooperation for such workshops in the future. He added, “The LDA looks forward to organising more such meaningful stakeholder consultation meetings/workshops in and around the Loktak wetland complex in the near future”.
Associate Professor and National Geographic Explorer, University of Nottingham, Dr. Virginia Panizzo, deliberated on “Lake and River Ecosystem Response to Pollution and Climate Change Impacts: Recent Evidence from Sites Across South East Asia, SE/Wetland In-charge, LDA Ng. Sanajaoba Meetei, on “Threats and Challenges in Conservation and initiative of LDA in Conservation of Loktak Lake, Shri 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, scientists of LDA and members of Manipur Technology Innovation Hub, Imphal.
