IT News
Imphal, Mar 19:
The Loktak Development Authority (LDA) has announced the approval of the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Loktak Lake, a collaborative effort between Wetlands International South Asia (WISA) and technically vetted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee.
The approval letter was presented to Chairman of LDA, M Asnikumar Singh, during a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in New Delhi.
“The IMP stands as a crucial part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts, aligning with his vision to revive and safeguard our nation’s wetlands and mangroves. Under his leadership, the IMP embodies a holistic approach to ecosystem preservation, integrating various measures to ensure the ecological integrity of Loktak Lake while promoting sustainable societal benefits,” said M Asnikumar.
This approval marks a historic moment for the Loktak Development Authority and its relentless efforts towards the conservation and rejuvenation of Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands. Beyond ensuring the sustainable utilization of Loktak Lake resources, the IMP also guarantees livelihood opportunities for those reliant on the lake for sustenance.
The IMP will focus on several key areas, including Institutions & Governance; Land and Water Management; Species conservation and habitat management, and Sustainable Resource Development & Livelihood.
It encompasses various actions such as delisting Loktak Lake from the Montreux Record, Integrated Wetland Inventory, Assessment & Monitoring System, Constitution of Scientific Advisory, Communication & outreach programs, implementation of water allocation plan, rejuvenating the natural drainage system, removing Phumdies, maintaining the open water regime, improving water quality, afforestation in the catchment area, consolidating Keibul Lamjao National Park boundaries, eco-development, developing Wetland link Cultural Heritage, developing sustainable fishery, community-managed fisheries strategy, identifying fish breeding grounds, enhancing community livelihoods, and more.