Protest against proposed bird sanctuary in Manipur

Protest against proposed bird sanctuary in Manipur

Pt facts

News:

Protest against proposed bird sanctuary in Loktak lake, Manipur

Important Facts:

• Manipur Government has proposed a bird sanctuary at Loktak lake in Bishnupur district
• The people in the village are protesting because once the bird sanctuary will be established, the fishing will be banned in the lake and poor people who drive their livelihood will starve to death.
• The villagers of Thingnunggei are poor and they have no other means of earning a livelihood except for catching fish and plucking vegetables from the lake.

Why Government proposed bird sanctuary:

• Loktak is largest freshwater lake in India and attract thousands of Migratory birds.
• However, in a recent year, there has been sharp decline in their number which has forced the state government to provide protection to these migratory species.

Reason for declining number of Birds:

• Poaching is the one of the main reason cited
• Human intrusion and Hydro Electric power projects are also responsible for decline.

About Loktak lake:

• Largest freshwater Lake in North-East India
• It is known for its circular floating swamps (called phumdis in the local language).
• The Phumdis are collection of heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter.
• The lake was initially designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and it was also listed under the Montreux Record
• Keibul Lamjao National Park located at the south western part of the lake. It is the world’s only floating national park and is home to the endangered Manipuri brow-antlered deer, Sangai (State Animal)
• Keibul Lamjao National Park was initially declared as a Sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared a National Park in 1977