Imphal, February 27, 2010: Dwelling hut built on the floating biomass of Loktak Lake (Keibul Lamjao) being dismantled by Forest Department personnel.

IMPHAL, Feb 27: Even as the Forest and Environment Department has started dismantling houses of encroachers built inside Keibul Lamjao National Park, thick floating biomass (atha phum) for which the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) has already distributed compensation have not been removed till date.

Dismantling of illegal houses built inside the sprawling Keibul Lamjao which was declared a National Park on March 28, 1977 was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Conservator of Forest, Park and Sanctuary L Joykumar in Laphupat Tera side of the park.

There were altogether 23 houses built in that direction of the Park, which is only natural habitat of the brow antlered deer locally known as Sangai.

Some of these houses have been there since 10 years back.

As the department officials started dismantling the houses, some of the families did the dismantling work themselves.

Stating that the department has been working to recognise the Keibul Lamjao National Park which covers an area of 40 sq kms as a World Heritage Site, DCF Joykumar appealed to the people not to indulge in illegal activities inside the park but to extend cooperation to the department and its personnel in their endeavour to preserve the Lake.

The department has been working to enlarge the area of the park till Kumbi Pat, said the DCF.

To identify the exact area of the park, demarcation works would be conducted soon using modern equipment, said Joykumar.

He further casts suspicion if the Revenue Department allotted Pattas within the boundary of the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

He further decried that some have built permanent structures within the park area.

On the other hand, fishing activities have been continuing inside the park without any restriction.

Moreover, around 100 number of thick floating biomass have not been removed from the park even after the LDA has already given compensation to the owners as a part of the Government's plan to preserve the region's largest fresh-water lake.

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