Strategies for saving our "Ningthem"
- Part 1 -

Kh Hitler Singh *

Sangai - A jewel in the crown for Manipur - Picture Credit :: Rocky Pebam

Sangai or Ningthem (the revered nick name of Brow antlered deer) was available abundantly in ancient time in almost all parts of Manipur valley in the swampy wetlands or even in the woodland (Pocock). There are many places in Manipur named after Sangai such as Sangaikot, Sangaithel, Sangaiprou etc suggesting the deers' distribution over the valley and hills.

This beautiful deer came to the notice of Lt. Eldi Percy Gee, Asst Political Agent of Assam in 1838 during his visit to Manipur. He sent skeletons of the bow shaped antler to John Mc Cleland in Calcutta in 1841 for identification of the deer. Sangai was named by John Mc Cleland as Cervus eldi eldi Mc Cleland in honour of Lt. Eldi Percy Gee. But from 2008; IUCN has named it as Rucervus eldii eldi. In India there are nine species of deer.

They are
Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster),
Sambar (Cervus unicolor),
Hangul (Cervus elaphus),
Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii),
Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii),
Mouse deer (Moschiola meminna),
Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak),
Hog deer (Axis porcinus) and
Spotted deer (Axis axis).

Again Swamp deer is sub divided into three sub species; they are Barasingha of Central India (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), Swamp deer of North India (Rucervus duvacelli duvauceli) and Swamp deer of Assam (Rucervus duvaucelii ranjitsinhi). Thus there are five deer species of Cervus family in India.

There are three species of Rucervus eldii in the world; the other two Eldii spp are Rucervus eldii thamin of Myanmar, Rucervus eldii siamensis of Thailand. Recently there is news of another Rucervus eldii of South China. Of the three Eldii species Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii) has the least population in the wild and thus the most endangered.

Sangai is a medium size deer. The size of a fully grown Sangai stag is about 110 cm to 125 cm high at the shoulder and Sangai hind is about 105 cm. The length of an adult buck range between 145 cm- 155 cm.(Samungou). The mature Sangai Stag weighs about 170 Kg.

Manipur is home to four deer species; they are
Sambar(Sajal),
Hog deer(Kharsa),
Barking deer(Saji or Saji Angangba) and
Brow antlered deer (Sangai).

Sangai was once reported extinct in 1951; but re-discovered and counted six heads in 1953 by Eldi Percy Gee, the then Honorary Secretary Indian Board for Wildlife, Eastern Region in a survey conducted under the auspices of the IUCN. It was the 1st turning point for Sangai Conservation. Following this event, the Manipur Wildlife Advisory Board declared Keibul area as Protected Sanctuary and Sangai as Protected Animal in its meeting held on 10/12/1954 (Manipur Gazette, February 2, 1955).

Further conservation measure were taken up and Keibul Lamjao area was declared as Protected Forest vide notification No. 55/10 /65-M(Pt) dated 25/11/1965. Again Keibul Lamjao area was declared as Reserved Forest vide notification No. 60/10 /72-For dated 20/11 /1974 under Indian Forest Act, 1927.

The 2nd turning point for the Sangai Conservation was the initiative of Government of India during 1975. A team led by Dr. MK Ranjit Singh, the then Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India was instructed to go to Manipur and to assess the population of Sangai and they counted 14 heads of Sangai in 1975.

Finally Keibul Lamjao covering an area of 40.00 Sq. Km. was declared as full fledged National Park called Keibul Lamjao National Park by the State Government of Manipur vide notification No.60/20/ 75-For dated 28/3/1977 for protection of its flagship species Sangai and other associated wildlife under the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Sangai was declared state animal Vide Govt of Manipur order No 60/5/86-For (pt) Dated 21/3/89. Sangai is revered very dearly by the Manipur Society. It was given the name "Ningthem" meaning "beloved son" in the Fifth National Game held at Imphal in 1999 and it was the Mascot of Fifth National Game; where for first time in the history of Indian sports; Manipur came with flying colour by winning the over all team champion and lifted the Raja Balendra Singh Trophy.

In Manipur; we have "Sangai Express" English daily who had recently celebrated 13th Foundation Day. Tourism Department of Manipur named the State Level Tourism Festival as "Sangai Festival" from 2010 onward. All India Radio, Imphal also recently opened "Sangai Channel" an FM transmission since the New Year day of 2012. All these show extreme love & compassion of our "Ningthem" rather your "Ningthem" by the Manipuri Society. There are enumerable business houses or products or brands which use the name of our "Ningthem". But had we contributed anything concrete to help save your "Ningthem" from extinction is a great concern to ponder.

Strategy to save sangai from extinction

1. In Situ Conservation

2. Ex-situ conservation

3. Reintroduction of Sangai in other suitable Sites.

In Situ Conservation:-

Under this measure Keibul Lamjao National Park is declared vide State Government of Manipur notification No.60/20/ 75-For dated 28/3/1977.

The objectives of establishing this National Park are:
o To conserve and protect Sangai in its natural habitat so as to cherish its beauty and biological value in perpetuity.
o To increase the population of sangai to a viable population i.e. 500 individuals of Sangai.
o To conserve and protect other form of wildlife such as Hog Deer, Wild boar and other small mammals, many resident and migratory avian fauna and also the rich floral diversity of Park.
o To protect and improve the floating habitat of Sangai from encroachment, extraction of park resources by the ever increasing population settling around the Park.
o To increase the Park area to accommodate the increase in wildlife in the park and to provide area for tourism Zone.
o To build the capacity of the park management to ensure the increment and maintenance of the population and carry out the management practices.
o To ensure public support in conservation of wildlife in the Park through conservation awareness creation, mutual rapport and trust building between the public and management through eco-development and benefit sharing from ecotourism and wildlife tourism.
o To strengthen scientific research and genetic study of the wildlife and their habitat through collaboration of National Institutes, University, Researchers and Intellectuals.
o To provide wilderness experience and awareness to the visitors by opening tourism Zones in as many entry points to decrease pressure in one entry point and providing facilities at the Interpretation and Information Centre of the Park.
o To endeavor steadfastly for inscription of the Park as a world's Natural Heritage Site under UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, Paris.

To be continued ...