Manipur announces Loktak lake ‘clean up’; locals fear loss of fishing commons

On grounds of rejuvenating the Loktak lake in Manipur, the Loktak Development Authority (LDA), on July 18, issued a 15-day ultimatum to remove homestays, huts, and athaphums (artificial structures of biomass used for aquaculture). Following the notification, conflict emerged between the authority and the local community, including fishers and homestay owner/operators, that stands to be impacted by this move. Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in the northeast region of India and more than 100,000 people are dependent on it.

The Loktak lake is an indelible part of the Manipuri identity – lives, lore, legends, history, and aquatic ecosystems. The lake has an area of about 287 square kilometres. It was designated a Ramsar site in 1990, and made its way into the Montreux Record on  June 16, 1993, due to the degradation of the lake’s ecosystem. Major changes in the lake’s characteristics were brought about by the commissioning of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project, wherein the Ithai barrage, was constructed on the only outflow of the lake. The barrage has remained fully functional despite its negative impact on socio-economical, cultural and ecological fronts.

Fish from Chindwin-Irrawaddy tract used to migrate and breed in Loktak and surrounding wetlands, but this natural migration has been blocked by the barrage, resulting in the complete change and decline of fish catch.