Vacate establishments at Takmu Experimental Fish Farm, Loktak Sendra: Manipur Fishery department

Imphal: Manipur Fishery department has served notice to encroachers to vacate Takmu Experimental Fish Farm at Sendra of Loktak in Bishnupur district, Manipur stating that encroachment in any form inside the boundary of the farm is unlawful and prohibited.

In an eviction notice served by the Fishery director H. Balkrisna Singh on Tuesday stated that that unauthorised illegal encroachments have taken place in and around the “Takmu Experimental Fish Farm” in Bishnupur having an area of 500 hectares which is under the control and supervision of the department of Fishery.

The government has noticed construction and expansion of fishery ponds, construction of floating home stays and resorts, erection of ring bunds using phumdis (floating biomass) as boundaries, plantation of lotus, water lily and other plants, establishment of Pen culture and Cage culture without permission, using private boats for ferrying tourists without permission, etc. in an around the lake.

The Takmu Experimental Farm has been protected by the department of Fishery for sustainable development of fisheries activities and enhancement of the livelihood of the local people inhabiting along the periphery of the lake.

Due to increasing encroachment within the natural boundary of the lake shore and illegal constructions erected by the encroachers, the environment and eco-system of the lake has been deteriorated gradually. Construction of Home-stays on the phumdis (floating biomass), establishment of pen and cage culture and ring bunds by using phumdis have rapidly proliferated the phumdis and weeds inside the lake and caused a serious threat to the local people who are utilizing the water for drinking purposes. Large scale plantation of lotus, water lily and other plants has degraded the lake’s environment and also caused impediments towards fisheries development, the director said.

He said the notice is circulated for information of all concerned that they should vacate any structure erected inside the lake and stop further constructions and encroachments immediately from the date of issuing the eviction notice failing which an “Eviction Drive” will be initiated by the Fishery departmentp in co-ordination with the district deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.