The Loktak Lake of Manipur, India’s largest freshwater lake and a designated Ramsar Site, is deteriorating in health, and unchecked human activities are endangering its fragile ecosystem, according to a recent study by Nagaland University.
The Loktak Pat (Lake), a pulsating water body with a surface area varying from 250 to 500 square km during the rainy season and an average area of 287 square km, is located in Moirang of Bishnupur district, about 29 km from the state capital Imphal. The lake supports over 130 plant species and more than 400 animal species. It is also vital for hydropower, fisheries, transport, and tourism. Despite its international recognition under the Ramsar Convention, the lake has been placed on the Montreux Record — a global list of wetlands facing serious ecological damage.
The study, supported by Nagaland University, IIT Delhi, and the Manipur Forest Department, was led by Dr. Eliza Khwairakpam, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science. It asserts that land use decisions across villages and forest areas are directly affecting the water quality of rivers and the lake, and suggests that community-based land management and strict control over agricultural runoff and waste discharge are crucial for restoring Loktak Lake.
The study also states that extensive land use changes — including agriculture, human settlements, and shifting cultivation — are directly degrading the water quality of rivers feeding into the lake. This, in turn, threatens the biodiversity and livelihoods of local communities dependent on the lake.
According to the findings, the Nambul River has been identified as the most polluted, with low oxygen levels and high organic contamination, primarily due to agricultural and settlement pressures. It is followed by the Khuga River, showing significant degradation linked to extensive shifting (Jhum) cultivation. Conversely, rivers like Iril and Thoubal, which flow through denser forest zones, exhibited better water quality — underscoring the protective role of natural vegetation.
