Loktak notified Wetland ecosystem and its catchment

Conservation of wetland is considered paramount in view of its ecological significance. The availability of reliable and up-to-date data on seasonal water spread, tropic state of wetland and bio-physical parameters besides the landuse/cover of the catchment area is a prerequisite for ‘wise use’ of any wetland ecosystem. The present study is carried out to identify the above parameters of Loktak notified wetland through visual interpretation of 1RS IA/IB LISS II FCC of 1990 and 1994/95. It indicates that the water spread of the lake is showing a declining trend and an increasing trend for aquatic vegetation. In 1990 post-monsoon data water spread was 15441 ha which become 11166 ha in October 1994. The extent of water spread further decreases by pre-monsoon season and was found to be 7875 ha in the IRS LISS II data of March 1995. Like-wise area under aquatic vegetation and associated marshy/ swamps was 10499 ha in October 1990 and 13506 ha in October 1994. Catchment of Loktak lake (104872 ha) is highly degraded and forest covers only 7205 ha area. Agriculture is the main land use (35576 ha) in the catchment and substantial area is also under land with or without scrub. Thus, there is a need to rehabilitate the catchment by way of planting trees for reducing silt load in the Loktak lake and ensuring its ‘wise use’.