Various Civil Society Organisations of Manipur today deliberated the importance of protecting rivers of the state in order to restore and save the rich eco system of Loktak Lake on International Day of Action for Rivers.As observed in other parts of the world, International Day of Action for Rivers was observed in the state by a number of organizations namely ALLAFUM, AMPFA, AMTPWA, AMUCO, CCDD, CORE, COHR, CSG, HERICOUN, HRI, Intake Manipur, IP, LFWA, IPSA, PRDA, Reach Manipur, UPF Manipur etc on the bank of Nambul River at Langolfabi, Loktak Lake under the theme ‘protect rivers, protect life’.During the observance, the Civil Society Organisations also deliberated the worsen condition of the upstream and downstream of Loktak Lake caused by Ithai Barrage. They further said that Ithai Barrage affect the normal stream of various nearby rivers. Besides, the pollutants carried by Nambul River and other valley rivers damaged the eco system of Loktak Lake. This is big threat to Sangai, which is regarded as the ‘brow-antlered deer’ in the world. As the eco- system of Loktak Lake worsened, large number of seasonal migratory birds had stopped flying towards Loktak Lake. Water of this largest fresh water lake in the North East of India is becoming deteriorated and no one is ready to use in household purposes.The CSOs also demanded to take up measures to control the pollutants of the rivers fall in Loktak Lake. Later, the participants of the observance also cleaned the surrounding of Langolfabi using traditional way of cleaning the Lake.
