A recent study by Nagaland University has raised serious environmental concerns about the health of Loktak Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake and a UNESCO-recognized Ramsar Site, warning that unchecked human activities are pushing its fragile ecosystem toward collapse.
Led by Dr. Eliza Khwairakpam, the research team assessed the water quality and land use patterns across nine major rivers that feed into Loktak. The findings are sobering: urban waste, agricultural runoff, and shifting cultivation are severely degrading the lake’s water and threatening the delicate ecological balance that supports thousands of livelihoods and the endangered Sangai deer within the Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Nambul and Khuga Rivers Among the Most Polluted
The study found the Nambul River to be the most polluted among the nine, primarily due to domestic waste and agricultural chemicals from areas surrounding Imphal. The Khuga River, flowing through regions of extensive jhum (shifting) cultivation, showed similarly alarming results.
By contrast, rivers such as Iril and Thoubal, which pass through relatively forested catchments, recorded better water quality — suggesting a direct link between deforestation, human activity, and ecological degradation.
| River Name | Primary Stress Factor | Water Quality Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nambul | Urban waste, agricultural runoff | Highly polluted |
| Khuga | Shifting cultivation (Jhum) | Moderately polluted |
| Iril, Thoubal | Forest cover, limited settlements | Relatively clean |
Call for Sustainable Land Management
Dr. Khwairakpam emphasized that community-based land management and stricter regulation of agricultural practices are critical for reversing the trend. “Loktak’s health reflects the health of Manipur’s environment,” she said. “Without immediate measures to curb pollution and manage land sustainably, the lake could lose its ecological and cultural value within a decade.”
The study, jointly supported by Nagaland University, IIT Delhi, and the Manipur Forest Department, recommends an integrated watershed approach, improved waste management infrastructure, and the restoration of degraded wetlands.
Why It Matters
Loktak Lake isn’t just a waterbody — it’s the lifeline of Manipur, supporting fishing communities, tourism, and agriculture. Its floating biomass, known as phumdis, are unique to the region and essential to the survival of several species, including the Sangai — the dancing deer that symbolizes Manipur’s natural heritage.
The report’s findings come as a wake-up call for policymakers and environmental agencies to act before the damage becomes irreversible.