In a press release, secretary of Phumlen Pat Khoidum Lamjao Kanba Apunba Lup, Salam Joy mentioned that village representatives from 26 villages living around Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao wetland region gathered at the community hall of Leimakhong Lairembi, Nongmaikhong to deliberate on the issue of the entry of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) in pumlen and khoidum lamjao area on Monday.

The meeting was also attended by Zilla Parishad member Chongtham Indrajit of Waikhong and Ningthoujam Ayingbi GP Pradhan as dignitaries.

During the meeting many speakers from all villages spoke reflecting their concerns on Loktak Protection Act 2006 which is not only draconian to the fishing community but also needs to be repealed.

The release stated some of the speakers raised concerns about their livelihood, culture, fishery and agriculture which can be affected if most land is reclaimed by lake conservation. They gave particular emphasis on the need to balance conservation and people, the release added.

A long discussion on the National Wetlands Rules of 2017 was held and observed that the state has not done their mandatory homework of Notification of wetlands, including preparation of Brief Document for Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao. The state government’s recent aggressive stance on encroachment and eviction is not a healthy signal for boundary demarcation and for wetlands conservation as it requires close cooperation between people and wetlands authorities, it added.

Later the meeting unanimously resolved that LDA cannot enter the Pumlen and Khoidum Lamjao wetlands region along with Loktak Protection Act 2006.

All lands occupied by residents of 26 villages must be protected and that Survey and Demarcation of the lake must be done along with the land owners, the release stated.