Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 05 2010:
Northeast Centre for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal is going to organise a Worldwide Save Loktak Lake Campaign at 21 cities and 5 towns in 3 continents on March 7, 2010 .
The campaign is an attempt to create awareness about the threats and need for conserving this natural heritage of Manipur.
NECEER, Imphal has been organising campaigns for the conservation of endangered species and fragile ecosystems of Manipur for the last few years.
Loktak Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Northeast India.
It has an area of 300sq km and has been recognised as Ramsar site in 1990 .
Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world is situated at the south west part of the lake.
It is home to the endangered Manipur brow antlered deer 'Sangai' - Cervus eldi eldi and many bird and plant species.
The lake has been a main source of income and sustenance for inhabitants of the area.
For the last few decades the lake has been facing all round destructions due to both natural and anthropogenic activities.
Rapid expansion of Phumdis, siltation, pollution, agriculture and adverse effect from Loktak Hydropower Project are some of the main problems which had led to an alarming destruction of the lake.
The campaign is now supported by 14 organisations across the globe, said a press release.