Manipur Government has sought full support of the people living near the periphery of the Loktak Lake to save the largest fresh water lake in the Northeast India and wildlife including the Sangai, the rare brow antlered deer found in Manipur.
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This was disclosed by the State Forest and Environment Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh while speaking at the 23rd Loktak Day Celebration 2018 (Mera Purnima) held at Komlakhong Chingthee, Mayang Imphal in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Wednesday.
The Loktak Day Celebration which was first celebrated in the year 1995, was held under the aegis of the Loktak Day Celebration Committee(LDCC), Komlakhong at Komlakhong Chingthee, a picturesque site located on the periphery of Loktak Lake which lies in between Imphal West and Bishnupur districts under the theme ‘Save Loktak, Our Life’.
Apart from Loktak Development Authority (LDA) officials, Deputy Speaker Kongkham Robindro Singh of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Sekmai MLA Heikham Dingo Singh who is the chairman, Manipur Buildings and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, Yaiskul MLA Thokchom Satyabrata, Keirao MLA Lourembam Rameshwor Meiteio, officials of LDA and people of the area attended the function.
Raising concern over the encroachment near the Loktak Lake during Wednesday’s observation, minister Shyamkumar who also hold the Urban Development portfolio in the BJP coalition government in the State also appealed to the people to stop encroaching near Loktak Lake to save the beauty of the lake.
The Minister opined that the scientists and other experts have to be consulted before taking up any developmental work near the surroundings of the Loktak Lake and other vulnerable places so that the wildlife is not affected.
He said the State Government is fully committed for the welfare of the people and to save the environment and the wildlife.
Stating that the Forest and Environment Department is committed to save the environment of the State including Sangai at the Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), wildlife and migratory birds, he said the State is blessed with natural beauty and it is the duty and responsibility of the citizens of the State to preserve it for the future generation.