Environmentalist and Social activist, Asnikumar Moirangthem has drawn the attention of National Human Rights Commission of India to protect the rights of indigenous people, who have been victimized by Loktak Multi-propose project. Asnikumar Moirangthem is also the general secretary of BJP Manipur Pradesh.
In a memorandum to the Chairperson of the Commission, the activist apprised that the natural lake environment of the area and its indigenous people have been adversely affected and degraded by the implementation of the Loktak Lake Multi-propose Project run by the National Hydro Power Corporation, India.
Loktak is the natural heritage of the state which significantly has socio-cultural and economic activities, however, now after the implementation of the Multi-propose Project the physiology, biological and ecological conditions of the Lake has been deteriorated beyond recovery, observed Asnikumar.
While stating that no environmental impact assessment was conducted before the implementation of the project, he said that the authority of the NHPC has violated the rights of indigenous population in and around the lake with false assurance. Not only violating the norms and procedures lay down by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, the NHPC and its Multi-propose Project has caused total deprivation to the “right to life” and right to environment and protection of cultural heritage of Loktak and her people.
Taking advantage of the ignorance of the fishing community of Loktak Lake, the incumbent state government has promulgated an anti-people and anti-fishermen Act- the Loktak Protection Act- 2006- on half-cook manner, said the activist while urging the Commission to review the Loktak Lake Protection Act- 2006 to save the lake.