Manipur Zoo smallest in the country: Joykumar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 02 2024: Along with celebrating the 48th foundation anniversary of Manipur Zoological Garden, the observance of 70th Wildlife Week held under the aegis of Manipur Forest Department was inaugurated at Iroishemba, Imphal West district on Wednesday.

The event marked by laying of wreaths and offering floral tributes at the foundation stone of the Zoological Garden laid by the then chief minister RK Dorendro in 1976, was attended by chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Longjam Joykumar Singh, Manipur Zoological Garden director Laishram Biramangol and deputy conservator of forests (park and sanctuary) Vikram Suresh Nadhe as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the celebration held under the theme "Wildlife Conservation Through Coexistence", Longjam Joy-kumar expressed that as the Manipur Zoological Garden is the smallest in India, its development and upgrade could not match the people's expectation.

Recounting the zoo's history, he informed that the decision to establish it was made during a meeting of the Manipur State Board for Wildlife on March 30, 1976.Subsequently, the zoo was opened to public on October 2 the same year, with only a single bird cage.

As total area of the Manipur Zoological Garden is only 602 hectares, space limitation is the primary reason hindering expansion and development up to the national standards.

However, if the area were to be expanded along the Langol Hill Range via an over bridge, it could make significant change to the status.

The same problem is being taken seriously by both the chief minister and the forest minister, he said and expressed elation that despite its small size, Manipur Zoological Garden continues to draw many visitors.

Highlighting the importance of Wildlife Week, Joykumar pointed out that the number of birds killed in Loktak Lake has decreased significantly as a result of the observance apart from proactive involvement of local villagers in protecting the wildlife.

Similarly, in hill districts such as Ukhrul and Senapati, tribal organisations have prohibited hunting of wild animals and migratory birds, he noted while cautioning that humans cannot thrive without birds and animals, underscoring interconnectedness of all living beings.

In his address, director Biramangol explained that zoos in India are classified into large, medium, and small categories.

However, due to the size of the Manipur Zoological Garden, it does not fit neatly into any of these classifications.

Despite this, the Central Zoo Authority of India has categorised it as a medium zoo based on the diversity of birds and animals it houses.

He also said that zoos provide numerous benefits in areas such as education, research, and wildlife conservation.

As a part of the function, prizes were distributed to winners of an essay competition held in connection with the wildlife week observance.

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