**6. Sustainable management lake ecosystem**

The lake has many stakeholders. For the purpose of the present study only some of the important and relevant stakeholders are selected for study. Fishery is the most important occupation of communities in and around the lake, hence fishermen are the most important primary stakeholders of the initiatives. Phum hut dwellers, agricultural farmers of lake shore villages and hill villages, people originally displaced by reservoir flooding and livestock farmers are the other stakeholders. In order to stem and ultimately reverse current pressures on the lake ecosystem, a conservation strategy to promote the sustained use of wetland resources needs to be developed and implemented. The following management strategies warrant immediate attention as suggested by the selected stakeholders:

#### **6.1 Research and monitoring**

The most important questions regarding the ecological problems of Loktak Lake remain unanswered viz, the rate of nutrient enrichment, the pollution load, its point and non-point sources, hydrological details such as water retention, water loss or gain through seepage and most importantly, the likely impacts of the proposals considered for implementation both on biota and socio-economy. So, monitoring of lake from time to time is absolutely necessary.

## **6.2 Siltation control**

244 Ecosystems Biodiversity

Source of variation d. f. *F P* 

Site 5,36 11.67 0.001 Season 2,36 16.9 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 1.43 NS

Site 5,36 22.9 0.001 Season 2,36 1990 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 54 0.001

Site 5,36 0.123 NS Season 2,36 3535 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 1.04 NS

Site 5,36 5195 0.001 Season 2,36 14598, 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 1064 0.001

Site 5,36 45.5 0.001 Season 2,36 279 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 31.9 0.001

Site 5,36 450 0.001 Season 2,3 2732 0.001 Site × Season 10, 36 116.4 0.001

Site 5,36 15.8 0.001 Season 2,36 49.3 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 9.6 0.001

Site 5,36 154 0.001 Season 2,36 247 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 22.9 0.001

Site 5,36 4335 0.001 Season 2,36 20981 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 2702 0.001

Site 5,36 24.3 0.001 Season 2,36 136.9 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 13.7 0.001

Site 5,36 47.9 0.05 Season 2,36 118 0.001 Site × Season 10,36 2.7 0.05 Table 7. ANOVA for seasonal variations in water quality at different sites of Loktak Lake

pH

Transparecy

Temperature

Conductivity

Alkalinity

Free carbondioxide

Disvsoled oxygen

Phosphate phosphorus

Total Dissolved Solid

Biological oxygen demand

Chloride

This will involve soil conservation measures in the catchment, weaning shifting cultivators away from the damaging practice, and involving Sloping Agriculture Land Technology developed by some institutions.

#### **6.3 Encroachment control**

It has been pointed out that reclamation of wetland areas is being illegally undertaken by people of means, while others dispossessed of their holding because of submergence due to the damming of the lake are still being taxed. Illegal encroachers should be dispossessed of their holdings, which could then be distributed among the genuinely landless unemployed. Unless these human issues are resolved, all conservation efforts will be futile.

#### **6.4 Control of over fishing**

Fishing is the main occupation of island and many lakeshore villages. In recent times fishing has not become sustainable at all. Aquaculture should be encouraged in the

Ecological Studies of Wetland Ecosystem in Manipur Valley from Management Perspectives 247

For sustainable development of any natural resources, it is very important that the stakeholders at various levels come together and participate in conserving and managing the resources. After a thorough analysis, it is very much clear that the deforestation particularly jhum cultivation and land-use/cover change has drastically affected the water quality of the lake. The water quality, in general, falls within class C to E as per the CPCB's designated best use criteria. The lake water is not fit for direct drinking without treatment but can be used for irrigation purposes. A comparative analysis of water quality of different sites indicates significant levels of pollution in the densely populated sites as compared to that of less populated sites because dissolved oxygen was low and bio-chemical oxygen demand and other parameters including nutrient levels were higher in the densely populated sites. It also indicates that out of the three zones (i.e. northern, central and southern zones) of the lake, the Northern Zone and Southern Zone shows significant levels of pollution. High intensity of fertilizer usage in the agricultural fields and practice of fish farming contribute significantly to water quality deterioration in the Northern Zone. The highly polluted rivers (like Nambul and Nambol rivers) also finally discharge pollutants in this zone. Southern Zone is polluted due to flow of all the pollutants finally in this zone and their accumulation due to poor flushing. So, while taking up any water management plan of Loktak ecosystem the highly populated sites of the Northern Zone and Southern Zone should be given priority at any cost. The stakeholders who are source of threat to the ecosystem need proper attention and monitoring. Also different types of participation can

be practiced as per demand of the situation so that it leads to self management.

The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, for facilities. We are also thankful to Dr. Alka Jain for her support, critical and constructive comments during the study period and Manipur Pollution

Chakrabati, P.K., Roy, R.D.P., Singh, S.B., (1959) A quantitative study of the plankton and

Das, S.M., Pande, J., (1980) Pollution, fish mortality and environmental parameters in lake

Dugan, P.J. (ed.) (1993) *Wetlands in Danger*. IUCN and World Conservation Union,

Gopal, Brij (1991) Wetland (mis) management by keeping people out: two examples from

Gupta, R.K., Sharma, M., Gorai, A.C., Pandey, P.N., (1996) Impact of coal mining effluents

on the physico-chemical characteristics of Raja Tank, Jaria (Dhanbad). *J. Freshwater* 

the physico-chemical conditions of the river Yamuna at Allahabad in 1954-1955.

**7. Conclusions** 

**8. Acknowledgement** 

**9. References** 

Control board for laboratory analysis.

Cambridge.

*Biol*., 8(2), 63-73.

*Indian J. Fish.,* 6(1), 186-203.

Nainital. *J. Bombay Nat. Hist., Soc*., 79, 100-109.

India. *Landscape and Urban Planning*, 20, 53-59.

catchment to reduce pressure on the fishery resources of the lake. The feasibility of paddy-cum-fish culture as an income generating activity as has been practiced by Apatani communities of Arunachal Pradesh in Apatani valley (Zero valley) could be examined. In addition, the introduction of sewage-fed fisheries would greatly reduce pollution from municipal wastes, and also enhance fish production. At this stage, it is essential that alternative or additional source of livelihood like piggery, duckery and revival of traditional handicraft and handloom industries though adequate incentives and technical and marketing support is necessary.

#### **6.5 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)**

An EIA of the Loktak Hydro-electric Power Project is must. The damming of the Loktak Lake water seems to have done more damage to the wetland ecosystem than was earlier envisaged; especially in terms of accelerating eutrophication and adversely affecting certain sectors of the traditional economy.

#### **6.6 Water hyacinth control**

Facilities to utilize the weed for biogas production, paper pulp and fiber, chemical products, and mulch and compost needs to be introduced. The spread of weevils in the lake for the eradication of hyacinth urgently needs to be investigated. The riotous growth of *Phumdi* also needs to be curtailed after a scientific assessment of the quantity to be removed.

#### **6.7 Fertilizer usage control**

Phum compost promises to undo various threats to the lake ecosystem. Removal of *phumdis* lead to better quality water and phum compost are free from the side effect that chemical fertilizers used by farmers, have on the lake ecosystem. Hence, promotion of phum compost at various levels and farm for mass production of phum compost need to be built. Weed infestation is directly related to the large fertilizer inflow into the wetlands. Alternative cropping practices need to be introduced with emphasis on, i.e. horticulture, sericulture, and perhaps apiculture, which could also enhance income levels. Today Loktak Lake has been placed on the informal list of threatened Ramsar Sites of the world. Only a concentrated effort on the part of official agencies, professionals, NGOs, and the local communities themselves, to comprehend the complexities of this delicately balanced, biologically-rich wetland ecosystem, and take appropriate action, can save Loktak Lake from demise.

#### **6.8 Indigenous knowledge**

Indigenous knowledge systems which through many years have evolved as a complex practice may be different from scientific conservation management. It would therefore be wise to conduct participatory research and studies to revive and recover traditional knowledge of indigenous management system of both in hill and valley villages as in the case of forest management in Caqueta, Columbia. The villages in the lake area are prone to water borne diseases. Close disease surveillance need to be kept. Mobile medical teams need to visit the villages during peak seasons and provide free medical camp. The hill villages need to given proper awareness regarding the negative effects of deforestation and forest fires not only to the lake ecosystem but also to their own lives. They should encouraged to form joint forest committees, which will control and monitor over exploitation of forest resources.
