Tongbram Ahongjao and Salam Memcha Devi are ngamees - fisherfolk - who rely on Loktak Lake for their livelihood. As development projects altered the lake, displacing communities and depleting the fish population, the couple felt compelled to preserve their cultural heritage. In the late seventies, they established the Loktak Folklore Museum, aiming to safeguard their traditions and pass down traditional fishing practices to future generations.
The challenges faced by the Ngamees are intensifying over time. The construction of the Ithai Barrage turned their cherished lake into a reservoir, leading to the burning of floating huts and leaving the community vulnerable. To address these issues, Ahongjao, Memcha Devi, and other indigenous voices united, advocating for a review of Loktak's Ramsar site status and emphasizing the rights of local communities. Their vision is to create a platform for collaboration between lake managers and the community, seeking consensus on preserving Loktak while ensuring alternative livelihood options. They also stress the need for climate change policies to respect indigenous rights, as recognized by the UN declaration.
As the Ngamees embark on this challenging journey, their determination to protect Loktak, their revered "Loktak Lairembi," the Goddess Loktak, remained resolute. Their ultimate goal is to secure a future where the lake and its indigenous fishing communities could coexist harmoniously, preserving their unique cultural heritage and restoring the vitality of the ecosystem.