The Loktak Lake in central Manipur, India, is known as the “Jewel of Manipur”. The Chiburremjo National Park on the lake is made up of many floating islands. The only “floating” national park in the world is also the main habitat of the endangered Cervus eldi eldi.
However, LED lamps have become popular among local fishermen in recent years, and the Indian Forest and Environment Ministry announced that for the ecology of Locklake Lake, fishermen are forbidden to use LED lights during night fishing. Offenders will be severely punished.
The Rock Lake is also the lifeblood of the local economy. It is not only one of the important sources of hydroelectric power in India, but also used by local residents as irrigation water and drinking water. The lake and the soil layer above it are also the livelihoods of neighboring fishermen.
When the fishermen sail by boat in the lake at night, they will light a string of lights on the boat for lighting. Fishermen have recently begun to use high-efficiency LED lights, but the Ministry of Forests and the Environment has announced that the use of LED lights by fishermen in Loctak Lake during night fishing is prohibited and offenders will be severely punished.
The government admitted that fishing is a major source of livelihood for residents around the country. It is impossible to ban it, but it indicates that LED lights have caused disturbances to the habitat of several migratory birds.
Th Shyamkumar Singh, Minister of Forests and Environment, suggested that fishermen should not enter the lake for fishing at night.
Thousands of migratory birds live in the 172-square-kilometer Lake Locklake, the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Most of them are waterfowl, with as many as 60 species. Anurag Bajpai, head of the Department of Forest and Environment, pointed out: "The recent popularity of LED lights for fishing at night has severely disrupted the migratory pattern of migratory birds; because of the lack of lighting and food, more and more Many birds choose to stay safer. We can't say clearly how many birds have already left, but we plan to start estimating the number of birds in Lake Locklake in late this month.