Two JCB Excavators that were found operating in the Komnao area of Pumlen Pat wetland without authority were seized by the LDA team with the help of Kakching District police
TFM Representative
The Loktak Development Authority re-erected lake boundary pillars along Sendra road under Moirang subdivision in Bishnupur District and initiated identification of encroachers in the Loktak Lake and Pumplen Pat wetland areas along with removal of illegal structures since Monday, according to information received by TFM.
The Loktak lake boundary pillar re-erection and encroacher identification drive was taken up by Loktak Development Authority officials with police support under the supervision of newly appointed LDA chairman Moirangthem Ashnikumar.
Speaking to TFM representative, the LDA chairman said the initiative was being taken up as measure for the conservation of Loktak Lake, and it was found that locals in Sendra area had uprooted the lake boundary pillars previously erected in the locality. Monday’s drive was to re-erect the boundary pillars in their proper locations, he said while stating that fixing of the boundary pillars and removal of illegal structures will be carried out simultaneously.
The LDA chairman further confided that a review of land settlement documents related to the lake indicated that much area within the lake complex had been illegally occupied in cohort with revenue officials and considerations are already under discussion to penalize government officials if found guilty for issuing unauthorized land documents inside the lake area.
Expressing concern that individuals with nexus to power are learnt to have procured large chunk of land in the lake area through devious means, he reiterated that none would be spared if found to have occupied land in the lake area through illegal means.
Appealing to all stakeholders to support the LDA’s drive, Ashnikumar said that the move is part of commitment to the long term conservation of the lake and its associated wetlands on priority basis.
Apart from initiating the drive in the Loktak Lake area, the LDA team also took up similar drive in the Pumlen Pat wetland area which is grouped under the Loktak Wetland Complex definition along with Khoidum Lamjao, Kharung and Ikop wetlands. Pumlen Pat wetland is located to the east of Loktak Lake just across the Manipur River.
Two JCB Excavators that were found operating in the Komnao area of Pumlen Pat wetland without authority were seized by the LDA team with the help of Kakching District police, the LDA chairman said while reiterating that unauthorized activities in the wetland area will not be tolerated by the Government and strict actions would be taken up against the violators. Monday’s initiative at Pumlen Pat was assisted by the local organization Pumlen Lake Development Organization, he said.