Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, November 19 2021: Making it clear that the government is yet to" take any concrete decision on making Pumlen pat as a second home for Sangai, tourism minister Oinam Lukhoi said that the government only resolved to keep wetlands related with Loktak lake under LDA so as to preserve the degrading wetlands.
Speaking at the 26th Pumlen Day organised by Pumlen Lake Development Organisation on the theme 'Save Pumlen Save Environment' at Tokpaching Pumlen day ground on Friday as the chief guest, minister Lukhoi contended that some people tried to take undue political advantage by spreading false information that Sangai will be kept in Pumlen pat.
The government has not decided to keep Sangai in Pumlen Pat till now and as such people should not trust such unfounded information, he stressed.
Lukhoi further saidthat he will take up developmental activities in Mondum ching which is in Pumlen pat and Tokpaching under tourism department.
In his address, Hiyanglam AC MLA Dr Radheshyam Yumnam said that preparation is going on to include Pumlen Pat as a RAMSAR site.
The wetland will be revived if it is declared a RAMSAR site, he said and urged the people not to trust false information that the government will evict the people residing around the wetland.
The MLA also maintained that the government.will try to provide opportunity for generating ihceme to people of 'Tokpaching and Sarik Koiijin which are located around Pumlen pat by making the wetland a tourist spot.
Manipur Pollution Control Board chairman MLA L Radhakishore said that the degradation of wetlands in the state is not a good sign.
So, it is high time that the departments concerned join hands to save the degrading wetlands, he added.
Radhakishore stressed that the government is discussing to make bio-mass fertilisers out of the overgrown bushes in the wetland so as to generate income.