Javadekar advocates protection of Sangai
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 09 2016 :
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar has urged people ofthe State to share equal responsibility with the Forest Department in saving the rare 'brow-antlered deer' locally known as Sangai.
The Minister was visiting the only floating National Park in the world 'Keibul Lamjao National Park' (KLNP) today as a part of his three-day visit to the State.
Located about 50 Kms from the State capital in Bish-nupur district, the KLNP is home to the rare and endangered deer species, Sangai.
The park covers an area of 40 sq Kms which is an integral part of the Loktak Lake.
"The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a unique place which we must preserve including the 'phumdis'
(floating vegetation) and its ecological features for the survival of the rare Sangai as it is found nowhere else in the world," stated the Union Minister while interacting with media persons at KLNP.
"The flagship programme for the protection and conservation including recovery of Sangai species is yielding re-sults," added Javadekar.
Further he said that the Forest Ministry will continue to provide all forms of support for conservation and He added that the Ministry concerned will come out soon with a plan of action for pro-tection of Loktak Lake, phum-di and the National Park at the earliest.
Conservation efforts with-out support from local people will not yield any results, so people in and around the park should provide all forms of support to the Forest Department, he said.
Promotion of the National Park as an eco-tourism spot
Langthabal to the venue of the will provide opportunities and avenues for employment to people in and around the park, he added.
He assured that KLNP will be developed as an eco-tourist spot.
When asked if there is any plan specially tailored for con-servation of Sangai like that of 'Project Tiger' or 'Project Rhino,' he said that different Ministries including DoNER, Tourism, Forest and Environment will join together and provide all support for protection and conservation of Sangai species.
He added that proposal made by the Manipur State Government and the Forest Department seeking 'heritage site' tag is a welcome sign.
He added that he will strongly recommend to the Ministries concerned.
He also applauded the works of the State Forest Department towards conservation and preservation of the park with limited resource and manpower.
Meanwhile, locals of KLNP urged the visiting Union
Minister to provide adequate compensation and resettlement
programme to the families affected by the National park.
Earlier in the day, the Union Minister along with a team
of BJP Manipur State Unit and Forest Dept officials including
Additional DG Forest Government of India Anil Kumar,
Principal PCCF Dr Bala Prasad, Additional PCCF (Wildlife)
PN Prasad visited the twin islands of 'Pabot Ching' which
is an integral part of KNLP.
Later, Prasad Javadekar visited Thanga Part-I and interacted
with local fishermen, farmers, BJP workers and pradhan
of the area and stated that the 'Loktak Lake' is an integral part
of the culture and tradition of the people.
"Not only is the lake an asset of the State, but also a pride
of the nation", he added.
He urged the people to take active role in the conservation
and preservation of the lake as support from locals can make
it a success.
On the other hand, local fishermen urged the Union Minister
to revoke the 'Loktak Protection Act 2006' passed by the
State Government as it has affected the livelihood of fishermen.
To this, Prakash Javadekar said that the 'Act' will be
examined and if rights of fishermen are affected by it, considerations
will be made for its removal.
He also stated that the works of the Loktak Development
Authority is not satisfactory as there has been no change in
the lake for the last many years.
Javadekar had visited the lake
earlier in 2012."Ministry of Tourism and Culture, DoNER,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Rural Development and Panchayati
Raj will be coordinated for the development of Loktak Lake
as an eco-tourism spot provided the State Government should
work sincerely," Javadekar said.
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