No fishermen use chemical in Loktak: Union
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 18 2013 :
Expressing strong concern over the alleged use of chemicals by fishing community to clear the floating bio-masses (phumdis) from Loktak lake, All Loktak Lake Fishermen's Union Manipur has clarified that no fisherman in Loktak lake use chemical to clear phumdis.
The fishing community depends on phumdis for fishing, food supplements, kitchen garden, shelter and refuge during rain and storms.
So, how can fishermen, who lived on hand to mouth economy, afford to buy costly chemicals to clear the phumdis that play an important role for fish breeding, Oinam Rajen Singh, Secretary of the Union has questioned, adding that any rational people will never use chemicals to clear phumdis which is suicidal for both men and the environment.
He asserted that LDA is trying to defame the fishing community in a mala fide manner.
LDA is clearing phumdis in the Loktak lake by using machine which degrade the quality of water and destroy the natural habitat of many aquatic and amphibians which have become or likely to become extinct.
There are high chances of chemical or oil spills from such machines in the lake.
He also said that Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India should not be fooled by such baseless statements of LDA which is using environment as a ploy to cover up their misdeeds in Loktak lake.
Rajen appealed to the government of India to institute a prompt and impartial inquiry in the matter and recommended necessary steps to protect and preserve Loktak lake.