TODAY -

Customs, traditions and the conundrum of environment (wildlife) conservation in Manipur
- Part 1 -

Rajesh AM *

Sangai (Cervus eldi eldi Mclelland) - the endemic, rare and endangered Manipur Brow-antlered deer
Sangai (Cervus eldi eldi Mclelland) - the endemic, rare and endangered Manipur Brow-antlered deer ( Photo taken in 2009)



Every time there is a debate on environment (wildlife) conservation, the issue of Human- environment (wildlife) conflict always barges into focus. There is a lackadaisical approach to environment (wildlife) conservation in some regions within Union of India owing to complex socio-economic and cultural issues. While the dilemma as to protect the rights of the indigenous people over environment (wildlife) conservation seems immortal, the dilemma of customs versus environment (wildlife) conservation vanishes as customs that are against environment (wildlife) conservation, currently, score over environment (wildlife) conservation. One cannot deny the fact that the customs and traditions are bedrock of a society and govern social, cultural, environmental and economic ties.

The pedigree of few, anti-environment (wildlife) conservation customs and traditions continue to affect the biodiversity. In some parts of northeastern India, central India, and Andaman and Nicobar islands, under the garb of customs and traditions, wildlife is hunted every year for food, trade, entertainment, traditional medicine etc. In many parts of the country, among many indigenous communities, wildlife and its products form an integral part of livelihood. In many communities hunting is a sign of masculinity.

One who does not hunt may be viewed with poor pixels and less zoom through the social lens. Adjoining international border has fuelled illegal trade in wildlife and its products. Various products of wildlife from across the country are smuggled into neighbouring countries despite efforts of state and union agencies to prevent it.

There are different views as regard to environment conservation. Eco-centric or bio-centric approach (Preservationist ethic) prescribes that environmental goods possess superior, ingrained value to nature irrespective of their usefulness to human beings. In a given society if an environmental good like hunted wildlife satisfies some use, may be in the form of food or unproved medicinal properties, must not be used as a tool to justify hunting. The proper rule must be to sacrifice human needs to protect wildlife or any other environmental good.

There is anthropocentric approach (a conservationist ethic) which prescribes that value of environmental goods depends on the value they have to Homo sapiens. Much of our experience points to the anthropocentric approach (a conservationist ethic) because of which environment (wildlife) conservation has been put on back foot. With globalization bio-centric approach has come into conflict with the age old customs among indigenous communities. There is globalization and commercialization and trade in wildlife and its products.

Consumption and medicine habits should not be an excuse for hunting of wildlife. China and other south East Asian countries are typical examples where globalization has aggravated such conflict between customs/traditions and environment values which in turn have affected wildlife in Asia. One must not be negligent to the fact that the wildlife, which is an important indicator of environmental health,   also provides important ecosystem services. 

To cite few, Wild boars, described as “Farmers of the Forests” play an important role in the productivity of the forest Ecosystems. Similarly Birds (including Migratory Birds) help humanity as pollinators, scavengers and have inspired many scientific inventions. There is also health risks associated with handling of wildlife meat. Few migratory birds may carry bird flu virus which can mutate to human infecting virus.

Handling of diseased animals and its products may lead to zoonotic diseases. One cannot deny the fact that both indigenous people and Conservationists strive for more diverse and healthy ecosystem. But on occasions both differ in their approach and the objects they strive to conserve. In this struggle neither is a bad group. But together can achieve much more compared to individual channel of efforts.

Most of the indigenous people confuse conservation as imperial ideas imposed on them as a tool to restrict them from accessing surrounding natural resources without respect for their customs, traditions and cultural values. But it is otherwise. With growing population and globalization the demand for wildlife and its products has increased and led to commercialization.

The focus of environment (wildlife) conservation is to prevent unsustainable commercialization. If there is dichotomy between conservation of cultural diversity and biological diversity it must be defeated. Conservation of both must be priority as each compliment and supplements each other’s efforts. When it comes to environment (wildlife) conservation, there must not be exceptions to enforcement of policies, Acts, rules and regulations.

The most obvious fact that government respects the sentiments of the indigenous people is that it has allowed the indigenous communities in many north east Indian states and in few islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Union Territory, to live in close proximity with the nature unlike in other parts of India where the concept of wildlife sanctuaries, National Parks and Tiger Reserves, the so called “The Yosemite model” of conservation, has kept many indigenous communities away from their original lands by relocating them outside the forests.

It is for us to decide this as a privilege or just as an inalienable right. Only few national and international organizations are working in the field of environment (wildlife) conservation in Manipur . Reasons, may be, there are not many flagship species like Tiger, Leopard, Elephant etc (courtesy- rampant hunting) in Manipur and complex socio-economic, cultural and security situation in Manipur and neighbouring states. In the past owing to improper habitat management, many of the migratory birds have already made their last visit to Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, in Rajasthan.

The tigers were poached from Sariska, in Rajasthan by professional poachers with the connivance of some villagers in and around the Tiger Reserve. The history would have repeated in Manipur had there been no intervention by the concerned stakeholders to protect Amur Falcon and Sangai. If this unsustainable hunting of wildlife persists, there comes a time when there will be no birds to migrate through our villages, no animals to sight (forget hunting) and only us trying to research the cause behind such ecological chaos.

The Sangai, pride of Manipur, was on the verge of extinction. Due to efforts of forest department of Manipur with support from union government and civil society organizations, its number is growing healthy. But the irony is that most of the stakeholders who take pride in it and those who derive commercial benefits just by using its name, hardly contribute to protect it.

Much of the focus in Manipur is on human rights (including cultural rights) and socio-economic development and it should be. But without the component of Environment (Wildlife) conservation the goal of sustainable development cannot be achieved. Environment (Wildlife) conservation is hardly an agenda in election manifesto of most political parties. Forget during intervening years.

It is high time political parties put environment (Wildlife) conservation as one of the top priority in a state whose conservation efforts are reflected in the recent publication of India State of Forest Report, 2015 by the FSI where Manipur is the only state in North East India where there is a gain in forest cover.

To be continued....


* Rajesh AM wrote this article for The Sangai Express
Rajesh AM is a 2013 batch Indian Forest Service officer of Manipur cadre. He is currently posted as DFO/ Senapati Forest Division, Government of Manipur. Views expressed by the author are personal
This article was posted on October 12 2016.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet