IMPHAL: The Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM) has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, urging the effective implementation of The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act (MCPLWA), 2024, to protect the state's wetlands and paddy lands.
In a press briefing at the Manipur Press Club, IFM president Kh Gopen Luwang expressed his concerns over the ineffective implementation of the MCPLWA, describing it as lacks seriousness. He drew attention to the increasing encroachment on wetlands and paddy lands, particularly in Imphal East and Imphal West, where unauthorized sheds and residential buildings are being constructed on protected areas. Luwang stressed that such constructions not only disturb the ecological balance but also negatively impact agricultural productivity.
Luwang also expressed alarm over the shrinking wetlands in Manipur's valley districts, including the Loktak Lake. He linked the gradual disappreance of these wetlands to alterations in the natural flow of rivers, which he believes have led to an increase in both flooding and droughts in the area.
The IFM president called for stricter enforcement of the MCPLWA to prevent an impending ecological crisis. He also requested the formation of a dedicated monitoring committee to oversee the implementation of the law and impose penalties on those found guilty of encroaching on protected areas.
Luwang pointed out that unauthorized constructions, including turf football grounds, are being built on protected lands, in clear violation of MCPLWA regulations. He reaffirmed the IFM’s readiness to cooperate with the government in efforts to protect wetlands and paddy lands in the state.
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