By James Khangenbam 20 April 2023 Imphal:
Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for forest, environment and climate change gave assurance that restoring and preserving the iconic Loktak Lake and its rare & endangered deer species Sangai is one of the most important tasks of the Union government as well as the Manipur government.
Union minister chairs meeting on Loktak Lake
He added that the Union government in cohesion with the government of Manipur will expedite its efforts in mission mode to achieve the objectives of restoring the iconic Loktak Lake & its associated wetlands to pristine condition.
He made the above statement as he chaired a joint meeting on Integrated Management Plan (IMP) of Loktak wetlands complex at Indira Pary a varan Bhawan, New Delhi on 5th April. The meeting and was attended by secretary, forest, environment and climate change joint secretary (wetland), inspector general of forest, director (wetland) from the ministry’s side, IIT Roorkee professor Arunkumar, WISA, New Delhi director, NHPC Limited director (project),
Loktak Hydro Electric Project’s chief group GM, and other senior officials from the ministry of forest, environment and climate change. From Manipur, ministers L Susindro and H Dingo, LDA chairman M Asnikumar, additional chief secretary (forest & environment) MH Khan, principal chief conservator of forests & chief wildlife warden Dr AK Joshi, and LDA project director, and SE cum wetland in-charge attended the meeting.
During the meeting, joint secretary (Wetlands) of the ministry made a PowerPoint presentation on the Integrated Management Plan of Loktak Wetland Complex. Professor Arun Kumar of IIT Roorkee, who was heavily involved in the technical evaluation of the IMP, explained the techno-ecological view of the IMP, which was prepared by the WISA director.
The state team collectively requested the ministry to approve the IMP of Loktak Wetland Complex at the earliest as it is pending for two years. They also endorsed the ongoing project proposal of the state government for sustainable development and livelihood of Loktak Lake with technological and financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The union minister directed the officials of his ministry to approve the IMP of Loktak wetlands complex to frame a task for delisting of Loktak from Montreux record, directed the Manipur government to take remedies to stop fragmentation of water regime of the lake, to identify & encourage suitable eco-tourism activities, that won’t compromise on the ecology of the lake.
He also asked LDA to submit a DPR base on IMP for necessary logistical support from the ministry on priority and further instructed officials of his ministry to clear all paper works before April 28, when he along with his team of officials is scheduled to visit Manipur and Loktak Lake for attending a regional workshop on wise use policy of wetlands in Manipur.