Indian Ministry of Forests and the Environment: prohibiting the use of LED lights for fishing in Loch Tac Lake

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.

Indian Ministry of Forests and the Environment: prohibiting the use of LED lights for fishing in Loch Tac Lake

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 lake is littered with large layers of soil mixed with organic matter. Locals call it “phumdis” (collectively referred to as floating islands). It looks like a series of floating islands. It is also like a marsh on the lake. The rich and varied species attract International attention. The area was also designated as a protected area in 1966 and was declared a national park in 1977.

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.