Imphal, October 07: Under the theme of 'Clean lake for better future', the 11th Loktak Day has been celebrated at Komlakhong Chingthi Ching today.

The event was organised jointly by Loktak Day Celebration Committee, Komlakhong and Loktak Development Authority (LDA).

LDA chairman N Loken Singh and social worker Dr Kh Ratan Singh were chief guest and president of the inaugural function which was also graced by many social workers and representatives of Local Bodies of the area as guests of honour.

Registrar of Manipur University Dr RK Ranjan, retired reader of DM College of Science Dr Kh Samungou and Assistant Professor of Earth Science Department, MU Dr S Ibotombi were among the resource persons who spoke at the occasion.

Prior to the commencement of the function, a mass public rally participated many school students, Meira Paibis and local residents was also taken out from Komlakhong Machin to Chingthi Ching.

Speaking as one of the resource persons, RK Ranjan pointed that the main reasons behind steady deterioration in the condition of the Loktak Lake over the past few years include commissioning of the Loktak Hydro Electricity Project, drying up the beds of the rivers which fall into Loktak and filling up of the lake at various spots to make roads for connecting villages situated along the shore.

Stating that the relationship between the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation and Loktak Development Authority (LDA) is confusing, Ranjan wondered whether LDA is there just to clean up the filth deposited by the Power Corporation into the lake.

Ranjan further observed that learning from the experiences of the Loktak project, no big power project which might cause untold miseries to the people and irreparable loss to the environment and cultural heritage should be encouraged.

Dr S Ibotombi said now it is essential to re-analyse the prospects and the consequences of the Loktak project by the Government.

While nothing that lost of Loktak lake would also entail lost of the Loktak Project, Dr Ibotombi suggested a long term plan to save the Loktak from further deterioration.

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