Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh unveiled a series of ambitious wetland conservation and river rejuvenation initiatives worth over Rs 700 crore during the state-level World Wetlands Day celebration at Leishang Hiden.
The announcement marks a significant push towards environmental restoration and sustainable water management in the state.
As part of these efforts, the government is moving forward with the notification of seven key wetlands under the Wetlands Management and Conservation Rules 2017.
These include the Kachouphung wetland in Kamjong and the Pumlen-Khoidum Pat in Kakching, both critical ecosystems spanning multiple districts.
Forest Minister Th. Biswajit Singh highlighted the environmental degradation caused by human activities and the unethical exploitation of natural resources.
He stressed the urgent need for public awareness, particularly concerning the alarming depletion of spring sources in the hill regions.
Among the flagship initiatives, the Rs 650 crore Lamphelpat Waterbody rejuvenation project is set to revitalize an important wetland, while household waste treatment along the Nambul River has already yielded success, with treated water now being repurposed for agricultural use.
At Leishang Hiden, a Rs 12.81 crore development project is underway for the eastern section, with plans to introduce recreational facilities such as walking paths and open gyms in the western section.
The event, held under the UN theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” also saw the launch of “Wetlands of Manipur Version-1.0” and the presentation of awards for various wetland-related competitions.
To combat water scarcity, over 500 ground drilling pumps have been installed through the Minor Irrigation Department, with additional projects worth Rs 86 crore planned for the beautification of the Imphal and Kongba Rivers.
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