Sangai translocation: Forest Dept urged to back out
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 17 2015 :
The proposed translocation of Sangai to Phumlempat where there are not enough floating bio mass has many question marks, according to Youth Physical Club, Arong Khunnou.
It may be recalled that the Forest Department is planning to translocate the endangered deer to the new location.
Describing the government move as unfortunate the club secretary Wahengbam Sanjoy said that the new lake is a fresh water.
The minimum requiremet for a Sangai park is 60 sq km and the Phumlen[at has just 22 sq km.
Since there are not enough floating bio mass it is not an ideal place for this rare deer.
In the past people used to catch fish and pluck edible water plants.
But after the commissioning of the Ithai barrage in 1986 the people have been deprived of the means of earning for the villagers.
He further said that a large numbe of sanagi could be kept in the Keibul Lamjao national park and the forest department should develop it.
Since the people around the Phumletpat will take it lying down there may be mob violence reducing the Keibul Lamjao national park to cinders if the second home is to be constructed there.
The forest department should back out of the plan, he saidThere are less than 200 Sangais in the Keibul Lamjao national park which is the natural habitat.
Deer which are kept elsewhere had development genetic defects.