Union Environment Ministry constitutes four-member team for conservation of Loktak Lake

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 4 November 2016 constituted a four-member team for conservation and management of Loktak Lake in Manipur.  

The team will visit Loktak Lake from 7 November to 9 November 2016 and hold discussions with the State Government, its concerned agencies and other stakeholders.  The consultations will also include people living in the vicinity of the lake.  

The Ministry has asked the team to submit a report by 15 November 2016.

The terms of reference of the team that will visit Loktak Lake are:

• It will review the implementation of works carried out with financial assistance provided by the Union and State governments so far for the conservation and management of Loktak Lake. It will also suggest further interventions required for conserving the lake in a holistic manner.

• It will enumerate the steps required to be initiated for declaring Loktak Lake as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• It will identify the steps and actions to be taken to increase the tourism potential of Loktak Lake.

About Loktak Lake

• Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.

• It is famous for the phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter at various stages of decomposition) floating over it. The largest of all the phumdis covers an area of 40 km2 (15 sq mi) and is situated on the southeastern shore of the lake.

• This ancient lake plays an important role in the economy of Manipur. It serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply.

• The lake is also a source of livelihood for the rural fishermen who live in the surrounding areas and on phumdis.

• Human activity has led to severe pressure on the lake ecosystem. Considering the ecological status and its biodiversity values, the lake was initially designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on 23 March 1990.