Phumdi proliferation: a case study of Loktak lake,Manipur

Floating mats are locally known as phumdis. They are a heterogeneous mass of soil, vegetation and organic matter at various stages of decomposition. Phumdis play an important role in the ecological processes and functions of the lake ecosystem. The presence of phumdis is the characteristic feature of the Loktak lake, the largest freshwater wetland located in the north‐eastern part of India about 38 km from Imphal city of Manipur. Phumdis cover nearly 50% of the lake. In this paper, an attempt has been made to examine the changes in phumdi area, analyse the factors causing its proliferation and the resultant impacts on the environment. The study is based on remotely sensed data of 1989 and 2002. To examine the factors causing its proliferation, field surveys were conducted and data covered eight villages and 377 households. The results showed that the phumdi area has increased from 1989 to 2002. The main causes for phumdi proliferation were the construction of the Ithai Barrage Dam, increase in athaphum fishing, pollution, growth of settlements on phumdis, etc. It was the human pressure that has aided in the growth of phumdis.