Manipur forest, environment and climate change minister Awangbow Newmai once again appealed to the public to support the Government in conserving and saving the Loktak Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast.
Forest minister Awangbow made the appeal while inspecting the periphery of the Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) which is country’ only floating park besides the ongoing projects at the vicinity of Sendra etc on Tuesday, reports said.
Awangbow was accompanied by Loktak Development Authority (LDA) chairman L Susindro, Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) chairman L Radhakishore, MLAs S Subhaschandra Singh (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa) and T Robindro Singh (Thanga) during the inspection visit.
Stating that people of Manipur have tremendously benefited from the Loktak Lake, the minister said ‘we firstly need to understand that there is a need for collective effort to save the lake.
Informing that the Government is not against anybody, he said in order to save the lake collective effort is necessary adding that Manipur’s future lies in the status of the Loktak Lake whether it is for developing tourism, livelihood for fishermen or other avenues.
He observed that one need not always depend on the Centre for help or assistance and opined that the people of Manipur can utilize the abundant resources nature has provided to earn revenue without destroying it.
On KLNP where endangered State animal Sangai lives, he said the killing of Sangai should be stopped immediately; rather people should come forward to conserve it.
He emphasized that the Government alone cannot undertake the conservation efforts and needs the cooperation of the public.
Stating the objective of the visit is to discuss the upcoming projects which can be undertaken this year following the COVID-19 protocol and following discipline, MPCB Chairman Radhakishore also drew the attention of the Minister to save the environment of the area and feared that pollution will totally destroy the ecosystem in the lake.
LDA Chairman Susindro said that the ministerial team led by Minister Awangbow Newmai visited the Loktak Lake using the waterways and inspected the Yanggoi Maril, Thanga and Chaoba Ching viewpoint to see the condition of the lake.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest K Angami, Additional Chief Secretary MH Khan, LDA Project Direct L Bhagaton Singh also accompanied the ministerial team during their visit.