Phytotechnological applications of 'phoomdi', Loktak lake, Manipur, Northeast India

Loktak lake (93 degree 46'-93 degree 55'E, 24 degree 25'-24 degree 42'N), a floodplain wetland of Manipur river, is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India (Figure 1 a). The lake covers an area of 287 sq. km and is fed by 36 streams super(1). Presence of floating vegetation or island, locally known as 'phoomdi' is a unique feature of Loktak lake (Figure 1 b and c). Phoomdi is a heterogenous mass of soil, vegetation and organic matter in different stages of decay, which floats over a vast expanse of the free water. It occurs in various sizes and thicknesses, occupying almost half the surface area of the lake super(2).