Second home for Sangai suggested
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30: After making a detailed study on the survival and prospect of propagating the endangered Sangai at its natural habitat in Keibul Lamjao National Park, the Wildlife Institute of India has perceived a great threat to the lives of Sangai there.

Subsequently, the Wildlife Institute of India has recommended the State Government for a second sanctuary for the Sangai.

A herd of the endangered and the one and only Sangai

The Wildlife Institute of India based at Dehradun has been studying the lives of Sangai and the bio-diversity and physiography of the Keibul Lamjao National Park for the last few years.

The Institute also undertook head count of the Sangai now existing in Keibul Lamjao.

In the event of outbreak of any epidemic or any contagious disease in its natural habitat, all the Sangai population may be wiped out as the rare species living in Keibul Lamjao belong to the same stock (in breeding), mentioned a report submitted by the Institute to the State Government, informed a reliable source.

The report also recommended an alternative sanctuary where the endangered Sangai can be preserved and propagated.

The Wildlife Institute of India is doing further studies into the lives and habitat of Sangai, informed the source.

Following the report and the recommendation, the State Forest and Environment Department has started looking for sites where Sangai can be preserved in natural habitat.

Earlier the Wetlands International South Asia had surveyed Loktak lake and the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

During the survey, it was found that the area under phumdi coverage and also the thickness of phumdis (floating bio-mass) in Keibul Lamjao were decreasing.

It also suggested for re-location of Sangai to a favourable alternative place.