The All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union, Manipur (Allafum), strongly condemned the statement made by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) on May 4 regarding the conservation of cultural heritage, ecosystem management, control of catchment area and water pollution, including removal of phumdis (floating islands). A press statement released by the fishermen’s union said the LDA has been institutionalised for 10 years but it fails to mention NHPC and its Ithai barrage, which are the main agents causing irreparable damage to Loktak’s ecosystem and its people. “The LDA has been blaming the people of Loktak for polluting Loktak, however, the main problem is the solid and liquid wastes that comes from the streams and rivers, particularly Nambul river. All kinds of biomedical waste, domestic waste, agricultural residues such as pesticides, fertilisers flow directly into Loktak. The LDA has been turning a blind eye and has done nothing about this issue,” the statement added. “The LDA is polluting Loktak by their use of machineries like motorboats, dredging machines, and water master which leaks oil directly into the wetland,” it said. The LDA had claimed it has finalised three long-term projects after it had completed the short-term action plan (Stap) for conservation of Loktak. It also claimed to have preserved the natural and cultural heritage, but they have illegally burnt down 777 phums out of 1,147 phumsang inside Loktak thereby directly threatening the unique cultural heritage, which is also a Ramsar site, countered the fishermen’s union. “The construction of the road through Loktak from Toubul to Mayang lmphal is another glaring example that directly threatens the lake. The proposed surface ring road of 80km will directly threaten the ecosystem of Loktak and affects food sovereignty. The people who depend on Loktak wetland have been surviving by locally conserving, managing and promoting the wetlands. The LDA must learn lessons from Loktak wetlands dependents,” the statement said. The union urged the government to repeal the Loktak Protection Act, 2006, “as a contravention to the existing laws of the land and its equivalent to AFSPA” to save Loktak.