The 2-Day conference held in connection with World Wetlands Day 2026 concluded today with an offline lecture programme on biodiversity conservation at Pole Star College, Hiyanglam-Wabagai in Kakching district. The conference was jointly organised by the Biodiversity Ecology and Environment Network Manipur, the College Development Council of Manipur University and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Pole Star College, centred on the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”.
The first day of the conference was conducted in online mode and witnessed participation from nearly two hundred delegates. Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhanamanjuri University, Professor Nongthombam Rajmuhon, and Director of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur, Doctor Thokchom Brajakumar, were the main speakers.
Addressing the participants, Doctor Thokchom Brajakumar described the theme of World Wetlands Day 2026 as particularly relevant to Manipur, where wetlands have remained deeply intertwined with traditional knowledge systems and practices since ancient times. He said such knowledge must be preserved and promoted to arrest the alarming decline of wetlands in the State.
Citing data from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Doctor Thokchom Brajakumar stated that Manipur now has only seventy one wetlands remaining out of more than five hundred wetlands recorded historically. He attributed the rapid disappearance of wetlands to urbanisation, land encroachment, deforestation and lack of public awareness, and called for urgent policy intervention and coordinated efforts by the government and civil society organisations.
The concluding session was held offline at Pole Star College and was attended by former Vice-Chancellor of Dhanamanjuri University Professor Nongthombam Rajmuhon as Chief Guest, environmentalist and Secretary of All Development and Awareness Manipur Kakching Kshetrimayum Surjit and Head of the Department of Zoology, Manipur University Professor Kshetrimayum Birla as Guests of Honour. Secretary of Biodiversity Ecology and Environment Network Manipur S Bhubol and Principal of Pole Star College Doctor Elangbam Gopal were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Nongthombam Rajmuhon said the theme of World Wetlands Day 2026 held special significance for Manipur, where folklore, rituals, literature and cultural practices have historically supported wetland conservation. He noted that classical manuscripts such as Cheitharol Kumbaba, Toreirol Lambuba and Loktak Ishai Mapal could not have emerged without the existence of Loktak Lake and other water bodies.
Kshetrimayum Surjit highlighted the reflection of wetland conservation in traditional practices such as Lai Haraoba rituals, marriage customs and the worship of deities associated with water bodies. Professor Kshetrimayum Birla warned that the loss of nearly sixty five per cent of wetlands since nineteen ninety reflected a grave ecological crisis and called for active participation of local communities in conservation efforts.
Doctor Elangbam Gopal expressed satisfaction over hosting the programme in a wetland-rich region close to Loktak Lake and assured institutional support for conservation initiatives. Secretary S Bhubol placed before the gathering a set of recommendations from the conference aimed at strengthening legal protection, curbing encroachment and pollution, promoting community participation and enhancing education and youth involvement in wetland conservation.