TN-108 : Loktak lake studies-Part-I

Abstract

Lakes are distinguished from other terrestrial ecosystems in their predominance of water for significant period of time. Systematic and scientific study of this water body requires identification of its dynamic position in hydrologic cycle, which links different water entities and represents different path which water in nature circulates and is transformed. Water falling on land eventually finds a way to sea or atmosphere in their passage, water is temporarily stored in lakes or reservoir. Henoe lakes are sensitive to variations in the net rate of supply. These fluctuations are stochastic in nature and can be studied by water balance. Number of parameters have been identified for the study of lake morphology.

Most of the threat to a lake originate at a considerable distance from the lakes. Induced soil erosion due to indiscriminate felling of trees; excessive demand on water upstream for different purposes; exploitation :pf ground water from aquifer supporting lakes.

In India numerous lakes can be seen with unusual geographic features. The fertile lands around these lakes are among the most densely populated are on Earth. Most of these lakes are subjected to major threat due to man made activities especially agriculture. Forest loss is continuing at a rate of about one million hectares per annum,. Natural denudation of land also contribute in the production of transportable soil particles. As a result the natural storage space which supports lake is affected. This can be seen in the increase in the area liable to flooding.

Loktak lake in Manipur plains which is of international importance, where floating swamps of Keibul Lanjao provide a last refuge for the Manipur brown antlered is causing problems of increased flooding and hindrance in the normal functions. Hydrology of the lake has not yet been studied. Therefore Part-I of this lake studies aims at describing different aspect of lake in general and the study area. In this report, different hydrological aspects of a lake have been discussed before describing the study area.