Prof B Manihar Sharma of Manipur University’s Life Sciences department while speaking on the occasion of World Wetlands Day observation at the conference hall of Hotel Imphal said wetlands of the State have been threatened to extinction due to human pressure.

The Professor in Ecology said the Wetlands are defined as very shallow aquatic areas (less than 6 metres in depth) which are subjected to a number of physico-chemical stresses. The wetlands which have the capability of carrying out specific vital functions like flood control, water storage, ground water recharge, sediment retention, nutrient accumulation and the stabilisation of the local climatic conditions are subjected to numerous environmental threats like artificial eutrophication and encroachments, he said.

He added that besides the Loktak lake, Pumlen, Ikop, Waithou, Nagkrapat and the Loushipat are found to be much threatened due to artificial eutrophication and human encroachments for cultivation and fish farming.

“Wetlands in the State are approaching to desertification”, Prof Manihar said. He was not satisfied with the outcome of projects which are being taken up in the State to save the major wetlands including Loktak lake in the recent past. “So time has come for everyone here to act accordingly”, he said.

Echoing a similar thought, Dr N Mohilal of the Ecology department of the newly upgraded Central varsity said “we cannot separate the development and conservation activities. However, steps should be taken up to save rich biodiversity of the State through grass root levels and eco-club members present in the day’s gathering”, he felt.

RK Sunita, a scientist from Manipur Remote Sensing Application Centre, also called upon the masses to realize the significance of the State’s wetlands, not just the aesthetic values but the role it plays in global climate change and global warming. Manipur has a total of 61,558 ha which is 2.71 per cent density to State’s total geographical area. Manipur stands second highest in the country in wetland density in landlocked States, she added. In Manipur, lakes besides the rivers form the major part of wetlands.

MLAs Elangbam Dwijamani, Chairman of the Manipur Pollution Control Board, MPCB and Kh Lokeshwar and K Jagagishwar, Member Secretary of the MPCB were in the dais during the day’s observation which was attended by a number of school students living in and around the catchment areas of water bodies.

Mention may be made here that the environment and ecology wing of the State’s Forest department has listed a total 19 lakes as State’s priority – Pumlen, Ikop, Loushi, Waithou, Aongbikhong, Ushoipokpi, Sanapat, Ultrapat, Loktak, Tankha, Karam, Lamphelat, Yaral, Zeliad, Heingang, Jaimeng, Khayang Kachophung, Lampel Choipart and Sanapat Andro, as important wetlands for protection.