Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh chaired a high-level meeting on October 3 to discuss the conservation and sustainable development of Loktak Lake and Phumlenpat wetland.
The meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and focused on the environmental pressures facing Loktak Lake, which is on the Montreux Record of threatened Ramsar wetlands.
The meeting discussed measures to improve water quality, restore forest cover in the catchment areas, control siltation and manage the growth of phumdis, or floating biomass.
It also considered clearing streams that flow into the lake and introducing sustainable livelihood programmes for lakeside communities.
The government also discussed plans to develop Loktak Lake as a tourist destination while protecting its ecosystem.
The meeting also considered making Loktak Day an official state festival to increase public awareness and removing floating biomass from the Phumlenpat wetland.
Proposed amendments to the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006, were also discussed.
Art, Culture and Tourism Minister Kh Loken, several MLAs, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur and senior officials of the Loktak Development Authority attended the meeting.