Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday took stock of the situation of the Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) in Bishnupur district which is an abode of exotic flora and fauna, including the state animal Sangai.
Addressing the gathering at a function organised by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) at the
Loktak Inland Water Transport Complex in Sendra, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said that it is our responsibility to fully implement the integrated management plan of Loktak and as a Union
Minister he takes full responsibility for it.
Stating about the specialities of the Loktak Lake, he said that it is the largest freshwater lake in entire
North East India and floating land masses/phumdis cannot be found in other places in the world. He said that the Loktak is not only a lake but also an important historic landmark of India’s independence struggle. This is the sacred place from where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose showed the dream of an independent India to the people of the country.
He said that we should think of developing the natural gift of the nature as the periphery of the Loktak
Lake has lot of species, including the endangered ones and migratory birds arriving in the lake. He opined that the development cannot be done without the local participation.
He said that development means to protect the natural beauty of the area including the protection of the biodiversity and to give a dignified level of life by uplifting the economic status of the people living in and around the periphery of the lake.
He assured to the people that he would be arriving again in the State in January next year to sit along with the representatives of the local authority, local villagers and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to discuss regarding the integrated plan. He also assured that he will give full support to the work plan taken up by the State Government.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that we are unable to timely and wisely utilised the gift given by the nature in the various forms of flora and fauna which is abundantly found in the state. Stating that presently the Centre has recommended Rs 1,450 crore for the state, he said the focus of the state
government is to make Manipur a number one tourist spot in the country.
The function was attended by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow
Newmai, Thanga A/C MLA T Robindro Singh, LDA chairman L Susindro Meitei, along with the officials of the LDA, Environment Directorate and Forest Department.
Earlier in the day, the State Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow
Newmai led a team comprising officials of the Forest Department and Environment Directorate which accompanied the Union Minister Bhupender Yadav at the Keibul Lamjao National Park. He was felicitated at a simple function.
