Huge floating biomass spotted in Manipur's Loktak lake

IMPHAL: In a pleasant surprise for the people of Manipur, a huge floating biomass has been spotted on the southern side of Loktak Lake, in the State's Ningthoukhong area.

The island measures around 20 hectares and has 'tou' (locally found grass) as high as 11 feet. This has baffled forest officials. The State Forest department discovered the biomass recently, DFO Bishnupur, said Rebika Soibam adding that the DepartmLoktak Lake,ent has used a drone camera to trace the areas.

Although the origin of the phumdi (biomass) is yet to be confirmed, DFO Bishnupur speculated that it could have originated from Mayang Imphal (Toubul) or between Thanga and Karang. Forest officials are also keeping a watch so that the locals residing nearby do not clear the biomass for it may destroy the habitat of animals possibly living on it.

Soibam presumed that the biomass must have diverted from its normal course into the Loktak Lake due to change in water current after the floodgates of Ithai barrage were opened some time ago. It could move towards the northern side of the lake in January and February, depending on directions of the wind, DFO Soibam added. (Agencies)

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