Steps on to save Pumlen Pat, Khoidum Pat

    24-Feb-2020

Steps on to save Pumlen P
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 23: The State Government has been working to restore Pumlen Pat and Khoidum Pat so that local fish species which had disappeared from the two wetlands and the State are re-generated, claimed Loktak Development Authority (LDA) Chairman L Sushindro.
Together with Hiyanglam AC MLA Dr Radheshyam Yumnam and LDA officials, L Sushindro today made a spot assessment of Pumlen Pat as well as all streams/canals which drain into it.
Sushindro said that many indigenous fish species disappeared from Loktak Lake and surrounding wetlands after the Ithai Barrage which is a part of Loktak Hydroelectric Project was commissioned.
Those fish species came through streams/canals which drain into Pumlen Pat and Khoidum Pat.
If the two wetlands can be restored properly, those fishes which had disappeared will also come back, said the LDA Chairman.
Saying that Pumlen Pat and Khoidum Pat were entrusted to LDA only recently, he said that the surrounding ecology has been severely affected on account of rapid siltation in the two wetlands.
In the first phase, de-clogging of streams/canals falling into Pumlen Pat has started. As a part of this initiative, the wooden bridge over Akasoi would be replaced by a new one.
As phumdis floating down from Pumlen Pat get stuck at the bridge, the bridge would be constructed anew. Moreover, Nongmaikhong Khongjao Dam would be renovated for diverting water to Pumlen Pat, Sushindro said. At the same time, LDA has been considering about constructing two/three canals which would connect Loktak Lake with Manipur River in addition to the existing Khordak Channel, he said.
He then appealed to the public, CSOs, environmentalists and other experts to cooperate with the LDA in its efforts to save Pumlen Pat and Khoidum Pat.