Imphal, February 3 : Impact to the environment should be taken into account while taking up developmental works and projects, experts and dignitaries speaking at the observance of the World Wetlands Day here in Imphal Tuesday.
The observation of the day which aims at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular is very much relevant with Manipur experiencing disappearance of wetlands at a fast rate with state authority taking no care at all.
Deforestation and vanishing wetlands have drastically affected the environment in state. The only means to save the mankind from the impending dangers is to protect the forests and the wetlands, to reduce use of fuel and energy, etc, experts sharing their opinion on the need of preserving wetlands in Manipur at the observance function held at Hotel Imphal expressed.
Previously there were 155 lakes in Manipur. Out of these, 133 had vanished. Now only 19 lakes are remaining. While all the lakes were intact, the total areas of water used to be 52,959 hectares. But now it has been reduced to 10,661 hectares only, which is really frightening. According to latest study report of state Environment and Ecology Wing, only Pumlen (Khoidum) Pat (lake), Ekop (Kharung) Pat, Loushi Pat, Waithou (Punnem) Pat, Ahongbeekhong Pat, Ushoipokpi Pat, Sana Pat, Utra Pat, Tena Pat, Kharam Pat, Lamphel Pat, Yaral Pat, Heingang Pat, Jaleng Pat and Loktak Pat are surviving but they are also on the verse of extinction at fast rate.
The characteristic feature of the Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district, the only fresh water lake in the entire north east region of the country and associated wetlands in the presence of floating islands, localy called phumdis.
Enhanced soil erosion leading to wetland sedimentation due to shifting cultivation and loss of vegetal cover in the catchment areas, reduction in water holding capacity of wetlands as a consequence of siltation, encroachments, and prolific growth of aquatic vegetation etc. have also been identified as main problems and issues among others by the Loktak Development Authority.
The wetlands are subjected to a number of environmental stresses and threats which have been in present since the last four decades. In addition to natural aging, human encroachments; Conversion of the low lying areas into farms; disposal of untreated domestic garbage, leaching of chemical fertilizers in and around the lake areas; draining of toxic chemicals like DDT, BHC, Aldrin, Endolan, Endosulfan, Rogo etc. for catching fish without much labour are the major causes of degrading and polluting the lakes.
The wetland ecosystem is degrading day by day and partially becoming agricultural land due to the impact of soil erosion and urbanization around the lakes, Environment and Ecology Wing study report said. While taking up developmental works, the impact to be given to the environment should be taken seriously, said Chairman of the Manipur Pollution Control, MLA E Dwijamani who graced the observance function organised by state pollution control board in association with Centre for Environment Education, North East.
He said environment and wetlands in state can be saved from further destruction and extinction through spreading awareness to the masses and authority concern taking in account the impact on the environment while preparing and implementing projects and others. It was observed with the theme "Catering for Wetland, Answering to Climate Change".