The annual Loktak Day observance in Manipur underscored the pressing need to protect the iconic Loktak Lake, as a state-level seminar titled “Loktak Lake – Challenges Ahead” was held in Haoreng Chingang, Thanga, under Bishnupur district. The event highlighted the lake’s ecological, cultural, and economic significance, emphasizing that preserving this lifeline of Manipur requires collective action from both the government and local communities.
Moirangthem Asnikumar Singh, Chairman of the Loktak Development Authority (LDA), warned against unsustainable development practices that are threatening the lake’s future. He urged unified efforts to address these challenges and reaffirmed LDA’s commitment to the conservation of this vital Ramsar site on the occasion of the 35th Loktak Day, celebrated annually on ‘Mera Purnima.’
The day began with a symbolic “Run for Loktak,” orchestrated by the Youth Development Association and supported by the LDA and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The event also included a traditional puja ceremony to honor Loktak Ema Lairembi, the lake’s guardian deity. In a move symbolizing ecosystem restoration, five lakh fish fingerlings were released into Loktak Lake and the nearby Takmu Pat wetland, marked by collaboration between the Loktak Lake Development Organization (LLDOM), the LDA, and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Manipur.
Celebrations continued at Thanga Higher Secondary School with cultural performances by students, including a folk song by Nganthoibi Ningthoujam dedicated to Loktak Ema. The event also featured a painting competition prize distribution. L. Joykumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, emphasized the crucial role of youth in conservation efforts, encouraging student involvement as their futures are intertwined with environmental health.
Efforts to protect Loktak Lake include the Integrated Management Plan (IMP), boundary demarcation, and calls for environmental impact assessments. The seminar concluded with a resolve that safeguarding Loktak Lake is a shared responsibility, resonating with a collective dedication to this irreplaceable ecosystem.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/loktak-day-observed-in-manipur-call-for-unified-action-to-save-states-iconic-wetland-1107717-2024-10-17?utm_source=rssfeed
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