Vembanad & Loktak: Which one will survive longer?

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 2: Vembanad is the longest and largest brackish lake of Kerala whereas Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in the entire North East region.    
There are many differences and also some similarities between the two lakes. A comparative study of the two will certainly reveal which one of them will survive longer.
The area of Loktak varies from 250 sq Kms to 500 sq kms while Vembanad covers an area of 2033 sq Kms.
Several rivers and streams drain into Loktak Lake and it is closely associated with the history and civilization of Manipur. Loktak was declared as a Ramsar Site in 1990 which means it is a wetland of international importance.
Vembanad which serves as a confluence of four rivers and connected to the Laccadive Sea was declared as a Ramsar site in 2002.
Both the lakes have been recognised under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
An official tour of media persons organised by PIB Imphal in collation with their Kerala counterparts recently gave an opportunity to have a close look of Vembanad from the vantage point of a boathouse at Kumarakom village, Kottayam district.
The boathouse which is powered by a diesel generator which makes little sound and emits little carbon has four bed rooms attached with toilets, a small dining cum conference hall and a kitchen.
The cost of touring Vembanad in the boathouse from 11 am to 5 pm including lunch of local cuisines for 15 persons was Rs 20,000.
The conference hall is equipped with a PA system and can be hired for holding meetings or conferences and also for partying.
Other types of boat houses which suit different numbers of passengers and budgets were also available.
With the boathouse moving at a moderate pace, the  media persons were able to have a panoramic view of the many islets dotting the vast lake, water birds feeding in the lake and also fishermen fishing in the lake.
Even though there is no facility for boathouses in Loktak, there is potential for introducing boathouses in Loktak too.
Nonetheless, many homestay facilities have been opened in different parts of Loktak Lake, particularly around Thanga.
With continuous siltation, Loktak is becoming shallower and smaller. Moreover, its population level has also been growing.
Vembanad too has been facing a similar situation. But it appears that the Government of Kerala is more sincere, committed and resourceful when it comes to conservation of Vembanad as compared to Loktak.