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Imphal, Oct 21 : A Manipur State Level Convention on “EXPLOITATION OF LOKTAK WETLANDS” was organized by the All Loktak Lake Fishermen Union and the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur at Manipur Press Club, Imphal Manipur on 21 October 2012. The Convention also adopted series of resolutions to protect Loktak Lake.
Jiten Yumnam, Co-Convenor, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, in his key note, introduced that the Loktak Lake management process is full of controversy. He explained that Tehelka, based in New Delhi exposed the corruption in the process of awarding a Rs. 224 Crores contract for “Management of Phumdis in the Loktak Lake” to a new company, K-Pro Infra Works Limited with only 10 lakhs as paid up capital and existing only on paper. Despite K-pro the lone bidder, it received the work contracts in violation of the Central Public Works Department norms, which requires at least three bidders for such tenders. He said Loktak Lake is a designated Protected Site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. However, the Government failed to ensure participation of communities depending on Loktak Wetlands the management of Loktak Lake in violation of Ramsar Convention.
Irengbam Arun, Editor, Imphal Free Press, said Loktak Lake is intrinsic with people’s survival. Now Loktak Lake has become an arena for mismanagement in the name of managing it. The contract to K-pro for phumdi management is irrational as K-pro is an extremely new company with no experience, formed only on 22 June 2009 much after the tender notice of Loktak Development Authority on 4 June 2009. The allocation of contract on trial basis to Progressive Construction Limited for phumdi clearance at Loktak Wetlands is unprecedented. He questioned the interest of the Chief Minister and Govt of Manipur in according an interest free mobilization rate of Rs. 224 Crores to K-Pro and its associate PCL, which is blacklisted by the World Bank for its dubious records. The clarification by LDA
to allegations of Tehelka is irresponsible and questioned how can a responsible government violated laws of the land. There is clear conspiracy and manipulation process in the phumdi clearance in Loktak Lake, which is a clear disrespect to Loktak wetlands.
Dr. RK Ranjan, Chairperson of Citizens concern for Dams and Development said that wetlands are fast shrinking in Manipur. The natural water management function of Loktak Wetlands is completely disturbed after the commissioning of the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project in 1984. The impact of Loktak Project is clearly visible. The person of Manipur needs to own and manage our land. It is unfortunate that there is no MoU with the Government of Manipur and the NHPC in the process of exploitation of our land and wetlands. The Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 enacted by the Govt of Manipur to protect wetlands has only targeted the communities, fishing communities depending on the wetlands for physical and spiritual survival. The Loktak Project has led to extinction of endemic flora and faunal species from Loktak Lake. There is no process to ensure peoples participation in all decision for Loktak wetlands management. LDA’s vision is to improve livelihood of local communities but LDA only evicts communities depending on wetlands and burnt down their floating huts. He also questioned the purpose of the Phumdi clearance in Loktak Lake as to whether it is for the people or for the benefits of the NHPC. LDA tends to function like a subsidiary to K-Pro.
Oinam Rajen, Secretary, All Loktak Lake Fishermen Union said that the Phumdis, floating vegetative mass, floating huts and the Sangai are the key characteristics of Loktak lake. The entire people of Manipur depend on Loktak Lake.
However, the Loktak Development Authority instead of considering the relationship of communities with wetlands
only insists on supplying water for the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, while blaming the communities.
The Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 has caused enormous suffering to communities living in and around
Loktak Lake by imposing series of restriction on the livelihood sources and means of fishing communities in Loktak.
KT Rehman, President, All Manipur United Clubs Organization said that the Government has blamed communities
depending on the Loktak Wetlands for the pollution and contamination of Loktak Lake. There are no efforts to
address the root cause of deterioration of Loktak wetland. The people of Manipur does not benefit from Loktak
Project as the 90% of power generated from the project is exported outside even as the people of Manipur reels in
power shortage. There is complete mismanagement of Loktak Lake.
Mutum Churamani, HERICOUN highlighted that the awarding of Rs. 224 crores contract to K Pro Infra Works Limited
is full of manipulation and unanswered questions. He questioned why K-Pro and its head remains silent, what has
K-Pro undertaken any work before the contract for Loktak Lake. Why the Progressive Construction Limited, which
has been awarded contract for Phumdi clearance in 2008 awarded contract again in a joint venture with K-Pro. Why
K-Pro partners with PCL. Why PCL did not apply contracts directly. The details of K-Pro’s account and transaction
details related to the Phumdi clearance needs be revealed to the people. He also questioned why LDA takes hasty
decisions on awarding contract to K-Pro in partnership with PCL. Mr. Churamani also raised the importance of
detailed investigations and to form a joint committee to address the ongoing scandal in Loktak Lake.
RK Ranendrajit, Chairman, Freedom Research Foundation said that Manipur is rich in resources, including water and
oil and the Government in collusion with corporate bodies are trying to exploit our land and resources without
peoples consent. This is a clear undemocratic process. The phumdi clearance efforts and contract to K-pro is a clear
cut case of corruption and manipulations. What’s happening with the intelligence department of the Government,
they must be knowing everything of corruption with contracts to K-Pro and why are they remaining silent. The
phumdi clearance and eviction drive efforts is also part of counter insurgency efforts and nothing to do with
development. Its time to review the relevance and rationality of having Loktak Project in Manipur us as the project
has led to endless devastations in Manipur.
Phulindro Konsam, Convenor, Committee on Human Rights said that the Loktak Development Authority of the
Government of Manipur misinterpreted the provisions of Ramsar convention. LDA has been evicting people and
causing immense suffering to the communities depending on Loktak Wetlands in the name of Loktak conservation.
Advocate Puyam Tomcha expressed wonder how K-pro formed after tender notice for phumdi clearance was granted
contract to clear Loktak Lake. The Manipur Human Rights Commission and the National Human Rights Commission
has already directed the Govt of Manipur to investigate the controversy surrounding the contract to K-pro. He
expressed his suspicion that the Govt of Manipur has deliberately refused to reactivate the Commission. Loktak
Project has led to endless impacts on communities. People’s symbiotic relationship with wetlands need be promoted
instead of blaming communities. How come K-Pro with only ten lakhs gives bank guarantee of 70 Lakhs and interest
free advance mobilization cost of 10 percent. There are so many legal violations in the contract process and it’s high
time to reveal the shareholders of K-Pro.
Karam Sunil, NIPCP said the scandals surrounding the Loktak Lake clean up should be fully investigated by an
impartial body like CBI and the communities should collectively endeavor to protect Loktak Lake.
Joy Chingakham of FRIENDS presented that development projects, Loktak Project and proposed plans, Tipaimukh
Dam and Oil Exploration moves and also militarization process are confiscating peoples’ livelihood sources. Oinam
Bikramjit said people should stop celebrating Loktak Day as there’s no more reason to celebrate but rather should
have serious and intense discussion on how to save Loktak Lake with community participation.
It called upon the Government of India and Government of Manipur to:
· Commission an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the scandalous phumdi clearance
work process in Loktak Lake, including all processes of awarding contract to K-Pro Infra Works Private Ltd in 2009
and the role of Progressive Construction Limited and the Government of Manipur in such scandalous contracts.
· The LDA should furnish all details on the controversial contract, especially the details of the earnest money
submitted by K-Pro along with the financial bid and details of bank guarantee for mobilization of advance and also
mode of payment of mobilization advance (no of installments) and details of shareholders for K-Pro company. All
those officials involved in the violations should be punished.
· Investigate the correlation of phumdi clearance by K-Pro and arsoning of floating huts, forced eviction and
displacement of several thousands of fishing communities from Loktak Lake and immediately restore status quo by
allowing them to resettle in Loktak Lake. Provide adequate compensation for the hardship caused to fishing
communities during the arson and eviction in November 2011.
· Repeal Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006
· Review Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including the
proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National Park and take appropriate steps to
decommission the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Project as per recommendations of World Commission on Dams, 2000
· Formulate a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policies in Manipur with community participation as per
guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation
· Formation of a “Joint Committee on the Preservation of Loktak Wetlands” with Islam Makakcha, Secretary
General of HERICOUN as the Convenor and the representatives of all organizations representing the State Level
Convention on “Exploitation of Loktak Wetlands” as co-Convenors.
· The Government should reveal the action taken and present status to the recommendations by the Manipur
State Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission to investigate the contract awarded to
K-Pro for phumdi clearance.
RESOLUTION OF MANIPUR STATE CONVENTION ON “EXPLOITATION OF LOKTAK WETLANDS”
ORGANIZED BY THE ALL LOKTAK LAKE FISHERMEN UNION AND THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION
OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN MANIPUR AT MANIPUR PRESS CLUB ON 21 OCTOBER 2012
We, the participants of the Manipur State Convention on “Exploitation of Loktak Wetlands” organized by the All
Loktak Lake Fishermen Union and the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur at Manipur
Press Club on 21 October 2012 hereby:
Affirm that Loktak Lake has been a physical and spiritual survival source of all indigenous peoples of Manpur with
the fishing communities in and around the Loktak Lake having intrinsic and inalienable survival dependence and
relationship with the Lake.
Express our concern that development processes in Loktak Lake, especially Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric
Project has led to wide social, environmental and human rights impacts, including proliferation of phumdis, floating
vegetative mass in the Lake and displacement of communities.
Also expresses our deep concern with the wide corruption and nepotism involved in the clearance of phumdis from
Loktak Lake as reported by Tehelka on 12 October 2012 and April 2010 while disregarding the survival and rights of
fishing communities in and around the Lake.
We call upon the Government of India and Government of Manipur to:
· Commission an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the scandalous phumdi clearance
work process in Loktak Lake, including all processes of awarding contract to K-Pro Infra Works Private Ltd in 2009
and the role of Progressive Construction Limited and the Government of Manipur in such scandalous contracts.
· The LDA should furnish all details on the controversial contract, especially the details of the earnest money
submitted by K-Pro along with the financial bid and details of bank guarantee for mobilization of advance and also
mode of payment of mobilization advance (no of installments) and details of shareholders for K-Pro company. All
those officials involved in the violations should be punished.
· Investigate the correlation of phumdi clearance by K-Pro and arsoning of floating huts, forced eviction and
displacement of several thousands of fishing communities from Loktak Lake and immediately restore status quo by
allowing them to resettle in Loktak Lake. Provide adequate compensation for the hardship caused to fishing
communities during the arson and eviction in November 2011.
· Repeal Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006
· Review Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including the
proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National Park and take appropriate steps to
decommission the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Project as per recommendations of World Commission on Dams, 2000
· Formulate a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policies in Manipur with community participation as per
guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation
· Formation of a “Joint Committee on the Preservation of Loktak Wetlands” with Islam Makakcha, Secretary
General of HERICOUN as the Convenor and the representatives of all organizations representing the State Level
Convention on “Exploitation of Loktak Wetlands” as co-Convenors.
· The Government should reveal the action taken and present status to the recommendations by the Manipur
State Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission to investigate the contract awarded to
K-Pro for phumdi clearance.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/convention-on-exploitation-of-loktak-wetlands-probe-into-wrong-doings-protection-of-lake-demanded/
