The vanishing jewels of Manipur : Wetlands on the brink
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Caroline Akoijam and Professor Thingbaijam Binoy Singh
Contd from previous issue
These unique settlements reflect a remarkable adaptation to nature, where life moves in sync with the water itself.
Despite their immense ecological and cultural value, the wetlands are under increasing pressure from both human activities and environmental changes. Pollution from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage has steadily degraded water quality, disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Hydrological alterations, particularly the construction of structures such as the Ithai Barrage, encroachment and unregulated human activities strains these wetlands, as expanding settlements and resource extraction place additional pressure on already fragile systems. Alteration of rainfall patterns and water regimes because of climate change compounds these challenges, making wetlands more vulnerable to degradation. The consequences of these threats include declining biodiversity, decline of fish population, loss of habitat, and the gradual erosion of livelihoods that depend on these waters. What’s at stake is not just an ecosystem, but an entire way of life that has coexisted within these wetlands for generations.
Several decades ago, Keishampat was a thriving Pat, but today, it has been transformed into a concrete landscape. More recently, Lamphel Pat has been reduced from a wetland to merely a “water body,” reflecting a gradual but alarming shift in how these ecosystems are valued and managed. Many such pats across Manipur have already disappeared, their loss quietly unfolding amid rapid urbanization and neglect. On this World Water Day, the decline of wetlands in Manipur is a warning that cannot be ignored. As these ecosystems disappear, so does their ability to store water, purify it, and sustain life. The loss of wetlands is not just an environmental issue, it is a growing water crisis that threatens food security, biodiversity, and the well-being of our future generations.
Protecting wetlands today means safeguarding the water resources of tomorrow. The wetlands of Mani- pur are at a critical crossroads. Their conservation requires urgent and collective action, from stronger policy implementation to active community participation, youth involvement and sustainable management practices. Preserving these ecosystems is not only about protecting nature, but also about securing livelihoods, culture, and climate resilience. This World Water Day, the message is clear: if we fail to protect our wetlands now, we risk losing them forever. But with timely action and shared responsibility, these living landscapes can still be restored, ensuring that they continue to sustain life for generations to come. The writers are with the Ecology Division, Department of Zoology, Manipur University, Canchipur
Contd from previous issue
These unique settlements reflect a remarkable adaptation to nature, where life moves in sync with the water itself.
Despite their immense ecological and cultural value, the wetlands are under increasing pressure from both human activities and environmental changes. Pollution from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage has steadily degraded water quality, disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Hydrological alterations, particularly the construction of structures such as the Ithai Barrage, encroachment and unregulated human activities strains these wetlands, as expanding settlements and resource extraction place additional pressure on already fragile systems. Alteration of rainfall patterns and water regimes because of climate change compounds these challenges, making wetlands more vulnerable to degradation. The consequences of these threats include declining biodiversity, decline of fish population, loss of habitat, and the gradual erosion of livelihoods that depend on these waters. What’s at stake is not just an ecosystem, but an entire way of life that has coexisted within these wetlands for generations.
Several decades ago, Keishampat was a thriving Pat, but today, it has been transformed into a concrete landscape. More recently, Lamphel Pat has been reduced from a wetland to merely a “water body,” reflecting a gradual but alarming shift in how these ecosystems are valued and managed. Many such pats across Manipur have already disappeared, their loss quietly unfolding amid rapid urbanization and neglect. On this World Water Day, the decline of wetlands in Manipur is a warning that cannot be ignored. As these ecosystems disappear, so does their ability to store water, purify it, and sustain life. The loss of wetlands is not just an environmental issue, it is a growing water crisis that threatens food security, biodiversity, and the well-being of our future generations.
Protecting wetlands today means safeguarding the water resources of tomorrow. The wetlands of Mani- pur are at a critical crossroads. Their conservation requires urgent and collective action, from stronger policy implementation to active community participation, youth involvement and sustainable management practices. Preserving these ecosystems is not only about protecting nature, but also about securing livelihoods, culture, and climate resilience. This World Water Day, the message is clear: if we fail to protect our wetlands now, we risk losing them forever. But with timely action and shared responsibility, these living landscapes can still be restored, ensuring that they continue to sustain life for generations to come. The writers are with the Ecology Division, Department of Zoology, Manipur University, Canchipur