The Manipur government’s proposed mega ecotourism project at the Loktak lake – a site of global significance under the Ramsar convention and home to the critically endangered sangai deer – has again waded in troubled waters. Tenders to appoint consultants for the Rs 1,700 crore project in Bishnupur district were floated in 2020, but the Asian Development Bank, which was likely to pump in 80 percent of the money, is learnt to have sought a review considering the possible adverse ecological impact.
While state government officials said conservation measures have been part of chief minister N Biren Singh’s dream project, sources privy to the ADB’s concerns said the bank is “not happy” with the proposal – which is yet to be approved by the union environment ministry but has been cleared by all state departments.
