Most unique in its own kind, Loktak Lake holds enormous biodiversity and is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India. They are also called floating lake owing to their thick mass vegetation (locally called phumdis) that stays afloat on the water bodies and functions as a natural filter (WAPCOS, 1988). Apart from its ecological values, it has served as valuable resources and a livelihood for individuals living in and around the lake, comprising about 9% of the State’s total population (Census Report, 2011).
Furthermore, on the southern zone of the lake, there lies the only floating national park known as Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) where its conservation has a lot to do with the endemic and endangered species ‘Sangai’ (Rucervus eldii eldii) (Angom D, 2005)
Why are wetlands so crucial?
Beneficial for several reasons, including flood protection, improved water quality, reduced shoreline erosion, natural product production, recreation, and beauty, wetlands are one type of environment that acts as a transitional area between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; they are perpetually wet for part or all of the year, and they are home to specialized flora that is adapted to these conditions.
They are among the most productive environments on the planet, offering refuge and modification grounds for creatures with significant economic and recreational value. Their importance is recognized on an international level through various international agreements and policies such as Ramsar Convention (1971), Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), etc.
What are the ecosystem services provided by Loktak Lake?
Loktak Lake is one as such which has received international importance, most notably, one of the Ramsar Sites (a protected Site under the Ramsar Convention) in India. Also, significant continuous abiotic and biotic processes are carried out together with its exceptional phumdis (thick mass vegetation).
The lake supports 428 animal species (81 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 22 species of mammals, migratory fishes, migratory waterfowl, and the Sangai) and 132 plant species, contributing to its vast biological diversity (WISA, 2005). This lake provides water for irrigation to around 32,400 acres of agricultural land and provides fishing as a means of subsistence to over 8700 fishermen (LDA and WISA, 2002). This marks a huge contribution to the state’s economy as agriculture occupies the main occupation in the state.
The lake serves as the Meitei (the predominant ethnic group of Manipur) people’s cultural heartland. The Meiteis, in particular, build their traditional floating huts (phumshang) on the phumdi and have actively contributed to maintaining the wetlands and the nearby forests and hills for generations despite not having formal land titles over their fields.
Threats to Loktak Lake
Following its recognition in 1990 under Ramsar Convention, Loktak was included in the Montreux Record in 1993 as a result of ecological problems such as deforestation in the catchment area, siltation, infestation of water hyacinth and para grass, and pollution (Eliza et al., 2018)
In a study by Khwairakpam et al., 2019, the lake catchment can be divided into seven-catchment areas (Nambul, Kongba, Imphal, Khuga, Western, Iril, and Thoubal) and they have a great impact on the habitats and the overall ecological status of the lake.
However, these said catchment areas are degrading the lake due to forest degradation, inorganic chemical usage (fertilizers and pesticides), and dumping of wastes. Soil erosion eventually leaves the lower level of the lake with more silt, thereby making it shallower. The nutrients, on the other hand, leave with nutrient enrichments and eventually, the rapid proliferation of phumdi and aquatic weeds (as opposed to natural phumdis which marks the uniqueness of the lake)
The study of the wetland landscape, from 1975 to 2015 (Kangabam, 2019) evidently indicates negative changes occurring in the lake. Open water bodies were increased with more deteriorated water quality and phumdis (thick and thin vegetation) shrink in size. The loss of Phumdis is a major concern as it homes to the highly endangered Sangai. Agriculture pressure was seen rising and settlement was increased accounting for an increase in population/ households.
The Controversial Ithai Barrage Dam
Controversial as it sounds, the construction of Ithai Barrage Dam (1983), located over the southern nearest tip of Loktak has now become a major problem in the lake ecosystem as well as for the socioeconomic life of the people (Singh & Khundrakpam, 2011).
As per reports by Neeta (2017), due to Ithai Dam, the lake’s natural water level has increased and permanently flooded approximately 83,000 hectares of farms and pastures near the wetland, causing a loss of livelihoods and having a significant negative impact on the wetland’s ecology. It also blocks the regular outlet of Phumdis which by itself occurs typically during the rainy season.
Since the water level of the wetlands is not allowed to fluctuate anymore, countless fauna and flora species have been affected (Jiten et al., 2021). It has blocked the incoming migratory fishes from Chidwin-Irrawady (a river system in Myanmar) resulting in the loss of many fish varieties (Oinam & Khoiyangbam, 2017). Encroachments on the periphery areas, particularly aquaculture practices and expansion of human settlements were also a threat to the biodiversity of the lake (Oinam & Khoiyangbam, 2017).
This has eventually caused the solely found Manipur deer (Sangai) in danger of being extinct. Other indigenous aquatic edible plants like tharo (lily flower) and thambal (lotus) have decreased and some indigenous rice varieties have already been lost. Consecutively, climate change is also one major factor attributable to the changes occurring in the lake.
The native inhabitants without formal education and employment who once were adequate by thriving merely on Loktak Lake are on the demarcation of losing such opportunities. The destitution of women in and around the lake has been severe as they are more vulnerable when Loktak is being degraded.
Conservation of Loktak Lake
A noteworthy initiative to conserve Loktak Lake was the development of the Loktak Development Authority by the Manipur Government in 1986. Several other stakeholders and various projects were consequently involved in considering the changes in Loktak Lake. Among them, their sustainable use relies mainly on farmers, fishermen, and others nearby.
Thus, conservation should take into consideration the socio-economic condition of the local people as well as develop their stakes in the conservation of the wetland. The initiative taken on the proximity of the lake is required but the varying number of threat sources have much to offer. For instance, pollution arising out of the Nambul River that runs in the heart of Imphal ends in Loktak. Therefore, a collaborative effort is required for the ecosystem to thrive at its optimum.
Conclusion
It was seen that the lake is fed by many rivers from different catchment areas and the identification of its pollution and degradation requires interdisciplinary nature of studies. The change in rainfall patterns and temperature affects globally and Loktak Lake is not an exception and it will be more vulnerable considering the low adaptive capacity the state has. Nonetheless, the impact brought by Ithai Dam is a huge concern for the wetland’s ecosystem.
It could be mentioned that the dam has provided benefits ranging from power generation to irrigation facilities but its objective remains far from reality. The cost and benefit arising out of this dam need to be studied and the inter-relationship between many factors that have resulted in the deterioration of the lake calls for further attention.
Written by: Khumukcham Shynyan
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