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Dimapur, Oct. 30 (EMN): A new 20-hectare floating island was recently discovered by fishermen at the famous Loktak Lake in Manipur— which has left many, including Forest officials, baffled.
The divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bishnupur district, Rebika Soibam, informed Eastern Mirror that the island, known as Phumdis (biomass) to the local people, is a heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil and organic matter in different stages of development like any other Phumdis in the lake.
“Phumdis are the habitat of Sangai deer and this is what makes these Phumdis the only floating national park in the world,” shared Soibam.
The DFO informed that the wind direction is southward, hence the island was drifting towards that direction.
“The Phumdis being floating biomass, it's a regular process to get drifted by wind force. This one is specific because of the possible presence of scheduled animals,” Soibam said, adding that since it is a large area, officials cannot stop it from drifting but the possibility of ‘fixing’ it with bamboo to restrict its movement is in the pipeline.
Soibam informed that the present Phumdi drifted away from Khongnang Karak side adjoining Mayang, Imphal and Toubul where there are often reports of wildlife sightings.
“Some fishermen reported sighting (of) Hog deer and wild boar, which are protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as Schedule-I animals. We attempted surveying with the help of drones for wildlife presence but couldn't sight any because of the luxuriant growth of tall and thick tou (locally found grass),” informed Soibam.
The DFO, also being the district wildlife warden, assured that even though the grass in the new found island is as tall as 12-13 feet, officials are committed to protect the biomass and make sure that the habitat is not disturbed.