Challenges and Dynamics of Athaphum: A Longitudinal Study of Loktak Lake in Northeast India

As the largest freshwater lake in the region and a designated Ramsar site, Loktak lake in northeast India holds paramount ecological and socioeconomic significance, particularly for the indigenous Meitei community. This study delves into the intricate spatiotemporal dynamics of a traditional fishing technique called athaphum practised by the Meitei community in the Loktak. It utilizes the normalized difference vegetation index derived from the remote sensing satellite images to discern the athaphum and its trend over the past three decades (1988–2023). Our findings reveal significant fluctuations in athaphum due to ecological, hydrological and human factors. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the complexities involved in safeguarding Loktak lake. They shed light on the intricate balance needed to sustain environmental integrity and socioeconomic well-being in the Loktak region.