Nagaland University Study Warns of Ecological Crisis in Manipur’s Loktak Lake

Imphal: A new study by Nagaland University has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating health of Manipur’s Loktak Lake, a Ramsar-designated wetland of global importance, due to unsustainable land use practices in its catchment areas.

The research, led by Dr Eliza Khwairakpam from the Department of Environmental Science, reveals that agricultural expansion, human settlements, and shifting (jhum) cultivation are severely degrading water quality in nine major rivers feeding the lake, threatening its rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities.

Loktak Lake, located in Bishnupur district, supports 132 plant species, 428 animal species, and sustains hydropower, fisheries, tourism, and transportation. It is also home to the endangered Sangai deer and India’s only floating national park, Keibul Lamjao. Designated a Ramsar Site in 1990, the lake was later added to the Montreux Record due to persistent ecological stress, including declining fish stocks, rising pollution, and heavy sedimentation.

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Conducted with support from the Manipur Forest Department, Manipur Pollution Control Board, and IIT Delhi, the study analyzed water quality across the Khuga, Western, Nambul, Imphal, Kongba, Iril, Thoubal, Heirok, and Sekmai rivers using Land Use Land Cover (LULC) mapping.

Key findings show a direct link between upstream land use and downstream water degradation. The Nambul River emerged as the most polluted, with low dissolved oxygen and high biological oxygen demand, corresponding to 47% agricultural land and 11% settlements in its sub-catchment. The Khuga River ranked second in pollution despite higher forest cover, largely due to 42% jhum cultivation.

In contrast, rivers like Iril and Thoubal, flowing through forest-dominated areas, exhibited better water quality, underscoring the protective role of natural vegetation.

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Dr Khwairakpam emphasised, “Land use decisions in upstream villages and forests directly determine the lake’s future. Community-led land management, controlled agricultural runoff, and regulated jhum cycles are essential to restore Loktak.”

She added that protecting the lake is not just an environmental priority but a critical step in safeguarding local livelihoods and Manipur’s ecological heritage.

Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik praised the research, stating, “This study highlights the urgent need to address pollution driven by human activity. Nagaland University remains committed to science-based solutions that inform policy and promote sustainable development.”

The findings, published in international journals, call for catchment-wide land regulation, sustainable farming practices, and stricter waste management to save Loktak Lake from irreversible damage.