NINGTHOUJAM RANJIT SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. H.Nabachandra, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. P.Tamphamani, learned Junior Advocate to learned AG for the State respondents. Also heard Mr.Sh.Vijayanand Sharma, CGC for Union.

(2.) This Public Interest Litigation has been filed to preserve the wetlands of Manipur, more particularly, Khoidum lake, Lamjao lake, Waithou lake, Ikop lake, Kharung lake, Awangsoi lake, Haokum lake, Kakyai lake, Pumlen lake, Loktak lake, etc. of Manipur.

(3.) The grievance of the petitioners appears to be as follows:- The petitioners No.1 to 5 are residing in different parts of Manipur, more particularly, Kakching District and their residences are adjacent to different water bodies or lakes of Manipur. While they are eking out their livelihood by catching fishes, the grievance appears to be that the lakes, namely, Khoidum lake, Lamjao lake, Waithou lake, Kakyai lake, Pumlen lake, Loktak lake, etc. have become very shallow and total extent of the lakes are shrunk primarily due to growth of heterogeneous floating solid vegetation "Phumdis ". In respect of different lakes and water bodies, the uncontrolled growth of heterogeneous floating solid vegetation "Phumdis " has made it difficult for the water bodies to retain water, resultantly, marine life has affected and the livelihood of the petitioners as fishermen has also affected. Yet, another factor which is pointed out by the petitioners is the encroachment by individuals into the water bodies and therefore, there is a great danger of pollution to the water bodies due to human habitation and discharge of waste and effluents which will render the water bodies polluted and caused ecological imbalance.