Zoo inmates facing pollution threat
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2011: Forest Department personnel assigned for maintenance and protection of several species of animals in Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba are reportedly working round the clock to ensure safety and wellbeing of the animals as flood water which have invaded the complex are posing threat to the animals.

ruling out possibility of welcoming visitors at least for some days if not weeks, some personnel of Manipur Zoological Garden said all the birds and animals are safe inside the zoo premises even though the only approach road and low lying areas inside the complex are still under flood water.

Pointing out that absence of an effective mechanism to drain excess water from Lamphelpat is the chief factor for Manipur Zoological Garden frequently facing problem of flooding during monsoon, they said insecticides such as spraying of bleaching power and Phenyl are being undertaken to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases.

They also emphasised on the need for construction of a barrier-like system around the Zoo complex as dumping toxic materials into or near the sanctuary pose threat to the protected animal species.

Flooded approach road to the Iroisemba zoo

With discarded household wastes and toxic materials collected from city areas being dumped at Lamphel, transforming the erstwhile natural water body into a huge pile of rot and dirt, animals and birds kept in the Zoo are staring at an uncertain future due to carriage of the waste materials by the flood waters, they maintained.

As outbreak of water-borne diseases and pollution related ailments affecting the animals cannot be ruled out, personnel of State's Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department are constantly monitoring health status of the birds and animals, the Zoo staff conveyed adding that till date there is no case of infection among the protected species, which include the rare brow antlered deer known as Sangai.

It is also informed that with a total strength of 41 regular and casual employees in Manipur Zoological Garden round the clock vigil is being maintained.

Utmost care is being taken in feeding over 400 birds and animals of the zoo for rainy season is most vulnerable time of the year for the animals, they informed.

Officially established on October 2, 1976 under the Wildlife Wing of Forest Department the annual budgetary allocation for the Zoo's maintenance at present is said to be about Rs 65 lakhs.

While animals kept inside the Manipur Zoological Garden in Iroisemba are safe and sound continuous flooding of the approach road is taking a toil on the economy of small time traders who used to ply their trades in the periphery of the protected area.

According to one such trader namely Angom Ibechao Devi (50) the confined animals have been literally emancipating many others like her and their families from economic hardships as profits earned from selling their wares to the visitors enables them to purchase items of daily use.

However since July 6 when heavy seasonal rainfall forced zoo authorities to bar visitors the daily earnings have dissipated substantially thereby reminding her of uncertainties one has to endure in a lifetime.

With the exception of spotting some visitors who, apparently unaware of the zoo's closure, show up surveys the scenario inquisitively before returning home a dejected lot the animal sanctuary is at present one of the most isolated place, said the roadside trader who also told The Sangai Express of her almost daily presence in the area for the last 10 years.

With the kiosks dealing in sale of items ranging from consumable goods to toys, with kids the obvious target, daily sale proceeds normally reach the Rs 500-600 mark, said the elderly woman who was frank enough to thank the animals for liberating them from a certain degree of financial constraints.