Balm on the way for submerged fields
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28: Vast tracts of land which have been submerged under water throughout the year, since the Loktak Hydro Electric Project was commissioned, are being successfully reclaimed for agricultural purposes with the completion of dredging two channels/outlets.

The dredging work was taken up under the initiative of Senior Citizens' Forum (SCF) with the objective to reclaim the vast tracts of agricultural fields submerged under water.

Together with the local people of Mayang Imphal area, the SCF, under the sponsorship of Loktak Development Authority's (LDA) channelisation programme, has been able to restore water current of the Hayen Khong and Langban Hiram Khong.

Following the successful dredging of these channels, it is expected that about 500 paris of land now inundated throughout the year can be reclaimed for agricultural purposes within a few years.

Briefing media persons today, social activist Ch Chidananda said that the two channels were dredged by 40 volunteers divided into two groups using local made tools.

Both the Hayen Khong which is about 3.5 kms long and 20 feet wide and the Langban Hiram Khong which is about 3 kms long and 10 feet wide connect Phigei Loukon (agricultural field) with the water mass of Loktak lake.

In addition to draining out water from Phigei Loukon, the two channels can now serve as waterways for cultivators and fish farmers and also help in preserving the bio-diversity of Loktak lake, Chidananda said.

SCF general secretary Chirom Naolo said that they have accomplished a great task which was hard to imagine in dreams.

Before these two channels were dredged, the Khomdram channel located along Mayang Imphal-Karang road and the Thonghaibi (Thongrangbi) channel located at Uchiwa Hayel were connected on April 24 this year.

Through this connection, the Imphal river has also been connected with the Loktak lake.

The extended and connected canal of Thongrangbi and Khomdram channels has been named Loushemkhong, Naolo informed.

Usually susceptible to floods, the areas of Hayel, Hangoon, Uchiwa and Bengoon did not face any major inundation even as several parts of the State were flooded twice this year, claimed Naolo.

Moreover, Toujengpat previously famous for abundant production of Loklei and Pulei may be reclaimed after a few years for cultivation of paddy and also these indigenous vegetables.

Even as no responsible leader/official had attempted to reclaim the lost and submerged fields, the SCF is putting its best efforts to make the endeavour a success, said Naolo.

Challenging the common notion that Loktak lake is situated around Bishnupur, Moirang and Sendra, the SCF general secretary lamented that since the LDA was established it has done nothing beneficial for Mayang Imphal and its people.

But Mayang Imphal side is the worst affected area due to the Loktak Hydro Electric Project.

Out of the total core zone of Loktak lake, about 70.45 square kms is located in Mayang Imphal area, he pointed out.

Because of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project, about 20,000 paris of paddy fields have been submerged under water in Mayang Imphal area alone.

"If we can dredge and connect channels like Hei-ningsoi, Haosoi, Naosekpi and Chara Wanpham with either of the already dredged Hayen Khong and Langban Hiram Khong, vast tracts of agricultural fields (A class) in Wangoi, Yumnam Huidrom, Kokchai, Upokpi and Khamenbi Lamkhai can be saved" he noted.

He also sought attention of the Govt towards the long standing demands of Mayang Imphal people which include establishment of one LDA division at Mayang Imphal, development of Mayang ImphalKarang road into a double lane motorable road, early execution of the proposed new road under Asian Development Bank from Mayang Imphal to Bishnupur which would also connect three districts.

These roads would serve best while carrying out the State Govt's plan to clear phumdis from Loktak lake, he asserted.