Sangai headcount kick starts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 29 2016:
Forest Department along with Wild Life Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, NGOs, Clubs, wild life activists and other volunteers today began counting of Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Thirty-four teams comprising of 2 to 3 members each began the counting from 5 am till 9 pm using binoculars and Distance Finders.
The headcount will continue on March 31 and April 2 after which the accurate number of Sangai will be released.
Two teams have also been stationed at Kumbi Pat (about 5 sq Km in area) for counting after the Department received information that the animal was spotted in the area.
A team led by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest PN Prasad comprising of WII Dehradun scientist Dr Hussain, Forest Conservator L Lukhoi and two other enumerators took part in the counting at Pabot Ching and 2nd IB.
PN Prasad said that the population of Sangai would be found higher as compared to the last census.
The Department has been working to make the floating bio-mass (Phumdi) thicker.
Already, phumdis have grown thicker at different sections of the park and this would certainly contribute to the growth of Sangai population.
He further informed that counting of Sangai would soon be carried out at Jawa Lamjao as well as Laiphum Phumlak of Sekmaijin which were not under jurisdiction of Forest Department earlier.
In case Sangais are found at these places, the State Board for Wild Life will declare these areas as protected zones.