Imphal, March 08, 2010: Ministry of Forest and Environment released a sum of Rs 48.98 lakhs for two national parks namely Siroi National Park and Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats' furing the current financial year 2009-2010.Amount of Rs 15 lakhs was released for Siroi National Park and Rs 33.98 lakh for Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Siroi National Park is a national park located in Ukhrul District of Manipur in India.

Established in 1982, it covers an area of 0.41 sq km.

Among the animals that make their homes here include the tragopan, the tiger and leopard.

It is here that the famous siroi lily (Lilium maclineae) grows naturally.

The main peak of Siroi abounds with flowers during the monsoon and it is a veritable paradise.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in Bishnupur district of Manipur in India.

It is 40 sq km in area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.

The national park is characterized by many floating decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis.

To preserve the natural refuge of the endangered Brow-antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi), locally known as Sangai listed as an endangered species by International Union For Conservation of Nature, the park which was initially declared as a Sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared as National Park in 1977 through a gazette notification.

The Act has generated local support and public awareness.

Sources from the Ministry said that a sum of Rs 1246.578 lakhs was released for development of wildlife habitats in 71 national parks of the country under the scheme during the year.

Out of the amount, a sum of Rs 182.725 lakhs was released for nine national parks situated in the North Eastern Region.

A sum of Rs 27.20 lakhs was released to Mouling National Park located in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Established in 1986, it covers an area of about 483 sq.

km providing a forest reserve environment to animals like Takin, Goral, leopard, tiger, barking deer, serow and other mammals.

A sum of Rs 3.40 lakhs was released to Orang National Park located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River in Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam.

It covers an area of 78.80 sq km.

It was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and declared a National Park on 13th of April 1999.It is also known as the mini Kaziranga National Park since the two parks have a similar landscape made up of marshes, streams and grasslands and are inhabited by one-horned rhinoceros.

The park has a rich flora and fauna, including rhinoceros, pigmy hog, elephants, water buffalo and tigers.

It is the only stronghold of rhinoceros on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river.

A sum of Rs Rs 21.52 lakhs was released to Balpakram National Park located about 3,000 metres above sea level, near the Garo Hills in Meghalaya.

Covering an area of 220 sq km, it is often referred to as the �abode of perpetual winds� as well as the �land of spirits.� Established in 1986, it is the home of the barking deer and the golden cat.

A sum of Rs 16.64 lakhs was released to Nokrek National Park located two kilometre from Tura Peak in Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

Various plants and animals found in the park covering an area of 47.48 sq km include the fishing cat, the serow and the tiger.

Established in 1986, famous sites in the park include the famous Siju Cave.

A sum of Rs 22.40 lakhs was released to Murlen National Park located in Champhai district in Mizoram.

The area of the park is 200 sq km and it was established in 1991. Fauna found in the park include the tiger, leopard, sambar, barking deer and Malayan giant squirrel, Himalayan Black Bear, Serow and gibbon.

A sum of Rs 26.52 lakhs was released to Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park covering 50 sq km in Mizoram.

Phawngpui Peak is the highest mountain peak in Mizoram, rising about 2165 metres high near the Myanmar border in Chhimtuipui District.

Phawngpui Peak is famous for orchids and rhododendrons.

Varieties of butterflies are found in the park which was established in 1997. A sum of Rs.6.065 lakhs was released to Intaki National Park covering an area of 202.02 sq km in Nagaland.It was established in 1993.Among the creatures that inhabit the park are the rare gibbon, black stork, tiger and sloth bear.

Comment