LDA notifies to remove Athaphum from Loktak in 15 days

Imphal: Loktak Development Authority (LDA) Manipur on Monday notified to clear Athaphums (artficially cultured floating islands) from Loktak Lake along with home stays and huts on them to save the lake from deterioration.

LDA director L. Bhagaton Singh in the notice said the state government is striving hard to rejuvenate the ecological condition of the Loktak lake and delist it from the Montreux Record. It has been conserved that exponential rise in the numbers of Athaphum, houses  and huts constructed on the Phumdi (Island on lake) have put the lake at risk impacting the natural environment adversely. It has been observed that such homestays have also become a social issue as these arc operated without proper regulations.

The director, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 4,19,20 of the Manipur Lolaak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006 read with section 5 of the said Act looking into seriousness of the deteriorating ecological condition of the lake and to bring improvement and restoration of its ecosystem, notified to all as concerned that all Athaphum, hut or house on Phumdi within the premises of Loktak excluding Champu Khangpok shall be removed or dismantled by the concerned individual, person, society etc. within period of fifteen days from the date of publication of the notice.

In case any of thc concerned fails to comply the notice, the LDA shall take necessary action for removal of such unauthorised activities without further notice to save the lake from further deterioration, Bhagaton said.