• NET Web Desk

The pristine Loktak Lake, referred as the largest freshwater lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Manipur. Considering its significance on the local populace, the Central Government decided to provide Rs 97 Crores to conserve the iconic lake.

Manipur Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow Newmai asserted the same, after holding a meeting with the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday.

Addressing the mediapersons, Newmai asserted that the review meeting was held with an aim to conserve the iconic lake.

He said the Union Minister gave assurance to give his full support to all the plans for preserving and protecting the lake, which has floating land masses and ‘phumdis’ (series of floating lakes).

“The Union Minister gave his commitment to provide Rs 97 crore to undertake various protection measures of the Loktak Lake,” – asserted the state minister said.

“A detailed conservation plan was put up in the Sunday’s review meeting. The plan also included to provide sustainable livelihood for fishermen in the periphery area,” – stated the Loktak Development Authority Chairman L.S. Meitei.

Its pertinent to note that Union Environment Minister’s meeting was the second within a week on the development and protection of Loktak Lake.

Earlier, Yadav asserted that “Loktak is not only a lake but also an important historic landmark of India’s independence struggle. It is a sacred place from where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose showed the dream of an independent India to the people of the country.”

The Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also earlier asserted that the government is unable to timely utilize the gift given by nature in the various forms of flora and fauna which is abundantly found in the state.

In Sunday’s review meeting representatives of various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including – Good Will Mission Manipur, Joint Coordination Committee on Wildlife and Biodiversity, Environmental Social Reformation and Sangai Protection Forum, the Yaralpat Integarted Farming Cooperative Society, Loktak Lake Tourism Development Cooperative Society Ltd Sendra and Loktak View Point Development Organisation were also present during the meeting.

Its worthy to note that Loktak lake in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, Deepor Beel in Guwahati and Rudrasagar lake in western Tripura are the three lakes in northeast India which are categorized as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Spread at nearly 111 square miles, Loktak is the region’s largest lake, but what makes it unique is its collection of floating circular swamps locally referred as ‘phumdis’.