Operation Salvage: Canadian effort to bail out world’s only floating park

NEW DELHI, Feb 11: Manipur’S bio-diversity rich Loktak Lake comprising the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating park in the world, is all set to become the site for one of the biggest sustainable development and water resources management projects in the country with a Rs 14.38 crore funding by the India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF). The Manipur government will bear an equal amount as its share in the project conceived by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and Wetlands International-South Asia (WISA) to save the 286 square km largest fresh water wetland from deterioration as a result of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project commissioned way back in 1983.

Loktak lake contributes 60 per cent of the fish yields of Manipur and supports 30,000 fishermen. A total population of 100,000 people live around the lake besides 4000 fishermen who live on 688 floating huts. Loktak has been designated by India as a wetland of international importance under the 1990 Ramsar convention based on its uniquebio-diversity and socio-economic importance. As many as 265 species of flora and 425 species of fauna have been identified.

The lake has been under pressure due to accelerated siltation and nutrients from the catchment area, prolific growth of weeds, shifting cultivation, extensive proliferation of floating lands locally called phudmis, certain fishing practices which affect water quality, uncontrolled use of fertilisers and pesticides, and sewage.

The combined effect of all these factors has resulted in reduced water holding capacity, shrinkage of lake area and loss of bio-diversity. 35 species of animals have declined. The ultimate purpose of the project would be to provide livelihood and security to local communities while ensuring conservation of the lake through water management, catchment area treatment, and participatory training and extension.