Loktak Apunba Ngamee Sinmee Lup (LANSL) has appealed fisherfolks to stop using electricity, battery and dynamo to catch fish at Loktak lake. The appeal was made by H Kumar, secretary, Loktak Apunba Ngamee Sinmee Lup during a one-day meeting to stop unregulated/ illegal fishing practices at the lake.
He explained that the use of electricity, battery and dynamo not only destroys the micro organisms thriving in the lake but also kills planktons which are fish fopd. In addition, fishes that have sustained injuries due to electric current fail to produce eggs and stop breeding.
Such destructive effects have threatened the livelihood of other fisherfolk who depend on the lake for their subsistence. If all fisherfolk adopt these destructive practices of fishing, not a single fish will survive in the Loktak lake, he warned. LANSL has also appealed to take a stand against fisherfolks who use non-traditional and non-indigenous methods of fishing to save both the Loktak lake and its fishes.
Loktak Apunba Ngamee Sinmee Lup also adopted a few resolutions at today’s meeting. These include, prohibiting non-traditional methods of fishing in the Loktak lake; permanent restriction of using poison to catch fish and poaching of wildlife urging the Government to draft a sustainable policy for fisherfolks and submitting a memorandum of these resolutions to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Fishery Minister, Loktak Development Authority and other authorities related with the conservation of environment.
The meeting was attended by N Dinesh, Up-Adhyaksha, Bishnupur; Haobijam Lukhoi, member, Loktak Apunba Ngamee Sinmee Lup; Kh Thambalmana, convenor, All Thanga Apunba Meira Paibi Organisation; Salam Leinungshi, president and representatives of United Clubs of Thanga, Thanga Fisherman Welfare Association, Loktak Fisheries Association Ningthoukhong among others. Fisherfolks from the surrounding regions of Ningthoukhong, Nachou, Toupokpi, Keibul, Upokpi, Phubala, Oinam, Sunusiphai, Moirang, Ithing, Potsangbam, Naranseina, Moirangthem, Ngaram, Tongbram, Khunjem, Heisnam, Shamukon and Karang were also present at the meeting.