IMPHAL, March 25: With the aim of converting the small but picturesque lake, Shalam Pat, under the Lamlai Constitution Imphal East, into a tourist spot, the Lamlai Development Committee, Ima Imounu Thougal Thousil Kanglup, Lamlai Student Ideal Club, Lamlai Kendra Development Association and All Meira Paibee Lup of Lamlai have together taken the initiative of de-silting the lake`™s bed from today.
Yaiphaba Wairokpam President Lamlai Development Committee said that Shalam Pat once used to be place for boat racing (Hiyang Tannaba) from long ago.
However in due course of time the boat racing ceremony on this small lake faded out. Locals of the area, now are keen to revive the ancient culture and two years ago, re-launched this tradition.
The revival effort has been a success, and to firm it up further as well as to show case the nature beauty of the Shalam Pat area, the people of Lamlai have begun work on a voluntary project to make the place a worthy tourist attraction.
The effort to deepen and beautify the lake will have the added purpose of serving as a water reservoir to ensure the Lamlai area sufficient water throughout the year.
If the deepening and widening of the lake is successful, the villagers believe it can remove the scarcity of water in the area, especially in dry seasons.
The water body is approximately 1000 feet long and 200 feet wide.
Social worker and RTI convenor of BJP Manipur Pradesh Mongjam Poreihanba, who has been coordinating the effort, has assured maximum assistance to the effort from his individual as well as his party levels.
With him at the forefront this morning, the people of Lamlai launched the project amidst a ritual ceremony to invoke the local deity to making the project a success.
Poreihanba said the people of the area are focussed on the objective of making Shalam Pat a grand tourist spot in the Imphal East district.
He said he will pressure the Union Ministry of Tourism to sanction a package to ensure the project does not run short of implementation fund.
He said the project engineer has started a survey work and has already prepared a DPR with blue print for the project.
He said that the project can give an economic lift to the people of the area. He said he is hopeful that the Central government will give its approval on the project.