Imphal: Imported hovercrafts, which were deployed in the Loktak lake here to flush out militants, are now frightening off migratory birds and making the fragile ecosystem of the area inhospitable for the winged guests.
The presence of 3 hovercrafts – vehicles that can be driven both over water and land – which were procured from the US a year ago are scaring away the birds from the biggest freshwater lake in the northeast say ornithologists and environmentalists.
According to a latest study by the Imphal-based Centre for Conservation of Nature and Cultivation of Science, the diversity and population of birds have reduced drastically. Ornithologist R K Birjit Singh, who led the research, told PTI that noise pollution is the biggest drawback of the hovercrafts.
“Any sound above 85 decibel has the potential to harm not only the habitat of water birds but also to the anatomy and physiology of the birds. But these hovercrafts are producing noise at the rate of 104 decibel to 120 decibel like jet engines,” he says.
Each winter, thousands of birds from the northern hemisphere migrate to the picturesque freshwater Loktak lake, spread across 286 sq km area across the three valley districts of Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur.
Facing ecological challenges, the wetland is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Another environmentalist R K Ranjan opined that the flora and fauna of Imphal’s Loktak lake as well as its entire eco- system will be affected due to the presence of hovercrafts.
“Loktak is also the only remaining natural habitat to the endangered brow-antlered deer, locally known as Sangai, so we should not be doing anything that might harm them potentially,” he says. The hovercraft station is located in Toubul village near a water bird congregation site, which is richest in terms of species diversity and population.
According to the study, around 2000 cattle egrets were sighted near the village two years ago, but now the numbers have dropped to an alarmingly low figure of 64.
“Other species are also facing the same fate. We have noticed that due to the noise, birds get frightened, leave the place and look for new habitats,” Singh says while stressing on the need to sensitise Manipur police commandos who drive the hovercrafts. “They use it indiscriminately and even during the breeding season,” says the environment conservationist.
Officials of the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) however try to justify its deployment.
“By proper monitoring of the activities going on inside all areas of the lake hovercrafts are actually benefiting the waterbody. Proper steps are taken lest it might disturb the ecology,” says LDA’s project coordinator Sanajaoba Meitei.
State Works and Transport Minister Ratan Kr Singh, who is also the local MLA, says the area of the lake is very large and some areas are inaccessible for the security forces. “We need it to ensure proper vigil as sometimes militants use Loktak for shelter,” he said. (PTI)