Imphal, January 30: While hailing the move of North Eastern Council to save the largest fresh water lake in eastern India, the environmentalists of the State have emphasised on the need of long term plans to save the wetland.

The NEC has sanctioned Rs 41.54 crores for the development of loktak lake, the largest fresh water lake in eastern India.

Environmentalists of the State have categorically urged for water treatment plants to filter out pollutants and solid wastes from rivers and canals depositing into the lake.

Advisor of Environment Social Reformation and Sangai Protection Forum, an apex body of about 40 local clubs dedicated to the preserve Loktak and the endangered Sangai (brow antlered deer) Dr Khangembam Shamungou while appreciating the initiative of NEC observed that the eco system in and around Loktak has been seriously disturbed consequent upon large deposits of pollutants by many rivers and canals falling into the lake and subsequent siltation resulting in extensive coverage of the lake by Phoomdis (floating water plants).

Pressing for specific mangement scheme of polluted rivers and water bodies at the catchment areas, Shamungou emphasised on the urgency of water treatment plants to ensure that only treated water make its to the lake.

He further remarked that over 40 polluted rivers and canals fall into Loktak lake of which the Nambul river that drains Imphal town carries huge quanlity of solid wastes and untreated sewage into the Loktak while other rivers and canals deposit substantial amount of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other toxic chemicals into the lake year after year.

Earlier the Loktak Development Authorities (LDA) and other agencies concerned had proposed the central authorities to institute long term projects and to adopt a pragmtic approach to conserve Loktak.

Echoing the line of Shamungou, assistant Prof of Life Sciences MU, Potsangbam Kumar expressed wish that the fund provided by NEC would be utilized to set up a treatment plant.

Mentioned may be made here that the Centre's Expenditure Committee during a meeting chaired by the secretary of DONER Ministry cleared NEC assisted integrated project for the conservtion and development of Loktak lake for which the estimated cost and extra expenditures would be funded by NEC during the current fiscal year, informed reliable sources.

Moreover, a Canadian funding agency had already sanctioned Rs 40 crores for the conservation of Loktak.

In addition to the measures initiated by authorities concerned, people should take active role in the preservation of the 288 sq.

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