Darjeeling MP raises questions on Loktak in Parliament

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November 27, 2019: Member of Parliament from Darjeeling Raju Bista who was born and brought up in Manipur has raised questions regarding the health and wellbeing of Loktak Lake in the ongoing winter session of the Parliament.

Bista has asked about the plights of the farmers who continue to suffer during the floods from the Ithai Barrage. MP Bista has also asked about the steps taken by the government to upkeep the ecological integrity of Keibul Lamjao National Park and the steps to conserve Sangai, the state animal of Manipur.

In the response, the DONER ministry attributed the flooding around Loktak Lake to the Sugnu Hump in the downstream of Ithai Barrage. The response also states that ‘Government of Manipur has proposed for preparation of a Master Plan to the Brahmaputra Board for dredging or re-sectioning of the river downstream of Ithai Barrage for mitigation or control of flood.”

To upkeep the ecological integrity of Keibul Lamjao National Park, the DONER ministry informed that several steps have been taken up by the Government of Manipur including “improvement of habitat conditions and protection measures, involvement of local community, participation in conservation efforts, skill development. and capacity building of frontline field staff posted in the National Park periodically.’ DONER also informed that “Research and monitoring of habitat of National Park for detection of change in the natural habitat° is also being carried our regularly.

For the conservation of Sangai, the DONER ministry has informed that an ‘Moil has been signed with Wildlife Institute of India for implementing the project “Conservation action plan for Manipur’s browantlered deer or Sangai: An integrated approach”, under the Endangered Species Recovery Programme of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Government of India.”

Bista said, “I am thankful to the DONER minister for addressing to my concerns in such detail. I also thank the Government of Manipur for the tremendous work being done to conserve the Loktak Lake and the steps being taken towards capacity building of the local inhabitants.”

“As someone who grew up in Manipur, I ant emotionally connected to Loktak Lake and I feel that if all the stakeholders work together, we can preserve this amazing wonder of nature for our future generations. I will do everything I can to uphold the natural and ecological integrity of our North East region,” he added.