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IMPHAL — Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh, has been urged to take up immediate necessary steps for rehabilitation and modernisation of the Loktak hydel project in Manipur as the project recently “exceeded its lifespan raising serious concern about its environmental impacts and well-being of the local communities.”
Highlighting that Loktak lake holds immense cultural, traditional and economic significance for the people of Manipur, the chairman of Loktak Development Authority (LDA), M Asnikumar Singh said, “Unfortunately, since commissioning of the Loktak hydel project in 1984, concerns about the project’s adverse environmental impact on the lake and its catchment area have continued to rise.”
He also highlighted the key concerns that included the need to consider changes in hydrological patterns that have developed over the past 39 years, address the deteriorating ecology of Loktak lake and its catchment area, and mitigate the impact on the socio-economic conditions of the communities dependent on the lake and its associated wetlands.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]In an appeal, the chairman stressed that the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Loktak hydel project by NHPC Ltd. must prioritise sustainability, well-being of local communities and public interest.
Responding to a letter, Sanjeev Sanyal from the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India, reached out to the chairman and managing director of NHPC Ltd. Faridabad (Haryana) emphasising the lake’s importance for Manipur and as a national heritage site on August 11, 2023.
Also in response to an appeal, the Wetland Division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, made reference to the directive given to NHPC regarding prior approval from the ministry for the proposed modernisation of the Loktak hydel project.
This directive was conveyed through a letter dated May 5, 2023, to the chairman-cum-managing director of NHPC Ltd. Faridabad (Haryana).
As a result, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, has directed to take necessary action and also apprised the chairman of the Loktak Development Authority, Government of Manipur, with intimation to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, in a letter sent on September 9, 2023.
The chairman stated that such development underscored the commitment of both the state and union government authorities in safeguarding Loktak lake and its vital role in Manipur’s heritage and the nations natural legacy for future generations.