Guwahati: Champu Khangpok, the floating village on Manipur’s Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in South Asia, situated in the state’s Bishnupur district, classified as a wetland of international significance by the Ramsar Convention, took centre stage as the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and the lake’s fishing community commemorated the ‘World Wetlands Day’ on Friday on the theme ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,’ underscoring the critical role wetlands play in enhancing human lives.
The floating village assumes significance in preserving age-old traditions associated with the Loktak Lake. Its unique cultural and ecological importance came into focus during the World Wetlands Day observation, emphasising the need for collective efforts to ensure its sustainable future. As part of the observation, LDA Chairman Asnikumar Moirangthem, a local of the lake area, along with bamboo expert Kamesh Salam and state government officials, pledged a collective commitment to preserving the Loktak Lake. They distributed solar lamps, water filters, generator sets, and a fiber canoe. This initiative, tailored for the Champu Khangpok village, aimed to enhance the community’s living conditions and promote sustainable practices in the heart of Loktak, as per a press release.
Acknowledging Champu Khangpok’s deep roots in history, Moirangthem said, “The cultural and ecological importance of this floating village is crucial for the Loktak Lake’s sustainable future, making collective efforts imperative.”
The LDA Chairman pledged support for the construction of a special floating school for Champu Khangpok, with funding allocated by the Central government through the state education department. Plans also include installation of bio-digester toilets for each ‘khangpok shang’ (hut), contributing to improved sanitation facilities tailored for the unique lifestyle of Champu Khangpok. Moirangthem took the opportunity to appeal directly to the fishing community, urging responsible practices and a halt to illegal fishing and hunting of water birds in Loktak Lake, especially through the use of electric current and lights. This call aligns with ongoing efforts to protect the diverse ecosystem of the lake and uphold the sustainable practices championed by Champu Khangpok, the release added.
As the Loktak Lake faces an imminent threat of extinction with its natural life cycle disrupted by the Ithai Barrage, the hydroelectric project, Champu Khangpok, with its population of around 2,000 settling on 500 circular floating huts comprising the village, is central to the collective commitment towards sustainable development, conservation and the overall well-being of Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands. This year’s theme Wetlands and Human Wellbeing highlights how the wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity, the release further stated.
The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.
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