The vanishing jewels of Manipur : Wetlands on the brink

Caroline Akoijam and Professor Thingbaijam Binoy Singh
Dotted with circular floating phumdis and huts gently drifting with the currents, Loktak Lake paints a picture unlike anywhere else in the world; home to the world’s only floating National park, Keibul Lamjao National Park and a lifeline for thousands, showcases a symbol of harmony between nature and people. But beneath this serene beauty lies a fragile reality.
On this World Water Day, let the wetlands or Pats of Manipur remind us that these living landscapes which were once abundant and life-sustaining, are gra-dually disappearing. Mani- pur is home to a network of wetlands supporting rich biodiversity, home to rare and endemic flora and fauna as well as numerous migratory birds. Wetlands are not merely just a vast water body; they are dynamic ecosystems where land and water interact to support biodiversity.
According to Ramsar Convention, a wetland is defined as any land area that is saturated or flooded with water, either seasonally or permanently. They can be either inland such as lakes, aquifers and marshes or coastal, as mangroves, estuaries and coral reefs. According to a report titled “Wetlands of Manipur” published by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur, the State harbours a total of 119 wetlands. Of these, 23 have been identified through ground tru- thing, and 7 key wetlands from these wetlands have also been recommended for notification under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. This highlights both the ecological significance of these ecosystems and the urgent need for their formal recognition and protection.
Characterized by the presence of phumdis, Lok-tak Lake, represents a unique natural system, supporting from microscopic plankton to iconic species such as the endangered Sangai deer. Beneath the surface of these waters exists a thriving world of phytoplankton and zoo-plankton, which forms the foundation of the aquatic food web. These microscopic organisms drive primary productivity, converting sunlight and nutrients into energy that sustains fish populations, aquatic invertebrates, and ultimately the birds and mammals that depend on them.
Apart from supporting biodiversity, wetlands perform essential ecological functions that often go unnoticed. They act as natural filters, where microorganisms and aquatic plants absorb pollutants, recycle nutrients, and improve water quality. Wetlands also serve as natural buffers against floods by absorbing and storing excess rainfall, regulates water flow and reduce the risk of sudden flooding in surrounding areas. Together, these func- tions highlight that wetlands are not passive landscapes, but highly productive and self-sustaining ecosystems, quietly working to maintain environmental stability while supporting both wildlife and human life.
For the people of Mani-pur, wetlands are deeply woven into everyday life, culture, local traditions, folklore, a sense of belonging and identity. Loktak lake is home to the world’s only floating village, where communities live in Phum-shangs, traditional floating huts built on phumdis.
(To be contd)