Around the famous Loktak Lake!

James Khangenbam *

Beautiful landscape of Loktak Lake as seen on 8th June 2022 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

We are witnessing domestic tourists around the Loktak lake. Locals had set up temporary food stalls serving heikak, thamchet, kellichana, etc along the Sendra road.

Boat service at the lotus zone is already a phenomenon. Perhaps it is the only area where boats and lotuses mingle.

And the youths are loving it, they click their photos for social media uploads and the place had already drawn the attention of the youths.

But lotus is seasonal, however the footfall of the tourists at the lake is always there. For a visiting tourist, the road approaching Sendra is the main entrance to the Lake.

Making the area surrounding Loktak lake aesthetically green and colorful with flowers would go a long way.

Stopping the tourists for few moments and making them feel refreshingly pleasant after a long ride to reach the lake would be an excellent service. Of course, the beauty of the lake is such that it takes away all the worries and makes one be in the present moment.

Can we grow a series of trees along the banks of the Loktak Lake specially the lane approaching Sendra, Ithing, Thanga etc. Water and trees would be a majestic combination.

Big trees where birds can build their nest or ants have their colonies. The aesthetic looks might challenge the hard-working fisherman to take out their time and rest a while under the trees.

It could be from the collective efforts of the locality. A locally set up unique market under magnificent trees and green grass at the bank of Loktak lake where vegetables, fruits, flowers harvested from the lake are made available could draw the interest of the visitors.

Tourists friendly, smile triggering initiative can contribute a little help in setting the economy of the locals.

Even if the locals serve delicious fried fish or steam fish. It would be a big business.

People including the writer himself will be very happy to relish yummy fish cooked by the fisherman and hear stories about the fisherman's ordinary fishing trips.

It will always add value and happiness to knowingly buy vegetables pluck from the lake. Loktak is in the heart of all, drawing everyone closer is just a step away.

Other than the aerial view of the lake, it is always good to have an interaction with the local community whenever there is a tourist's footfall.

An exotic market would definitely communicate with people coming from different cultures flocking the Lake.