Imphal, Dec. 19 (EMN): One day workshop on the impact of Ithai barrage on livelihoods of natives settled within and in peripheral areas of Loktak Lake at the conference hall of Anthropology department of Manipur University on Tuesday.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Centre for the study of social exclusion and Inclusive policy, Manipur University in association with the Indigenous Perspectives (IP) and People’s Resources Development Association.
Dean W Vishwanath of Manipur University who is also a fish expert in the state delivered a lecture in the broad overview of Ithaio barrage and its impacts on Loktak ecosystem while State coordinator RK Birjit of Indian Bird Conservation Network spoke on Ithai barrage and impacts on migratory waterfowl population.
Later Yumnam Ratika of IP shared a presentation on impacts of Ithai barrage on women and children while Secretary Oinam Rajen of All Loktak Lake areas fishers’ union Manipur spoke on impacts of ithai barrage on the livelihoods of fishers at Loktak Lake.
Executive Director Wangkheirakpam Ramananda of IP gave the key note address in the day’s workshop while Assistant Professor Dr Thathang Vaiphei of CSSEIP gave the welcome address in the gathering which was moderated by Dr Thiyam Bharat of CSSEIP.
Ithai barrage,a 35 ft. high dam and a major component of Loktak Multipurpose Project which was taken up in 1983 to provide regulated storage to generate 104 MW of power and lift irrigation, maintained the water level of Loktak Lake at a constant level of 768.9 metre throughout the year.
As a result, it not only adversely affected huge agricultural as well as settlement area on the periphery of the lake, but it changed the entire hydrology of Loktak.
In August this year, state Chief Minister N Biren Singh had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the Loktak multipurpose project and Ithai barrage for a permanent solution to the frequent floods in the State.
