Source: NIE
Context: A Nagaland University study has warned of severe ecological degradation in Manipur’s Loktak Lake, citing land-use changes, agricultural runoff, and shifting cultivation.
About Loktak Lake:
What it is?
- Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South Asia and a Ramsar Site, celebrated for its floating islands (phumdis) and as home to the world’s only floating national park — Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Located in: Situated in Moirang, Bishnupur District of Manipur, about 48 km from Imphal, the lake spans nearly 250 km², expanding to 500 km² during the monsoon.
Formation:
- It is a natural floodplain lake formed by the confluence of several rivers — Khuga, Nambul, Imphal, Thoubal, and others — whose sediments and organic matter created the floating vegetation masses known as phumdis.
Features:
- Unique Phumdis: Floating mats of vegetation and soil that support human settlements (phumsangs) and wildlife.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: Habitat for 428 animal and 132 plant species, including the endangered Sangai deer (brow-antlered deer) — Manipur’s state animal.
- Cultural Heritage: Every 15th October, Loktak Day celebrates the lake’s ecological and cultural significance.
- Tourism & Livelihoods: Supports fishing, hydropower, irrigation, and tourism through Sendra and Takmu Water Sports Complex.
Significance:
- Ecological Importance: The lake sustains the Keibul Lamjao National Park, a critical wetland ecosystem under the Ramsar Convention.
- Economic Role: Provides food, energy, and income to thousands of local fishers and farmers.
- Environmental Concerns: Listed in the Montreux Record for wetlands under threat due to pollution, sedimentation, and unregulated land use.
