Commemoration of 21st May as World Eld's Deer Day
- 21st May 2024 : Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat, Imphal East -

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Commemoration of 21st May as World Eld's Deer Day at Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat

Sangai population at Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) is at the edge of disappearance from the wild. The population status derived using long-term estimates by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun exposed augmented vulnerability of Sangai to local extinction.

The risk is further compounded by several other drivers which broadly includes rapidly deteriorating habitat conditions at KLNP, island-like geography of the Park with no connectivity with surrounding habitats, increasing population of Hog deer coupled with high dependency of local communities on Park resources.

Commemoration of 21st May as World Eld's Deer Day at Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat

The species is undeniably under founder effect as it has witnessed extinction once and recovered from a small number of individuals rediscovered in 1975. Given these vulnerabilities, it is of utmost importance that immediate actions should be taken up to conserve this species and secure its continued survival in the wild and to avert the Pride of Manipur vanishing once again.

To garner a wider support and raising conservation concern on the precarious situation of Sangai, Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with Manipur Forest Department commemorated 21st May as the World Eld’s Deer Day.

Commemoration of 21st May as World Eld's Deer Day at Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat

This particular day marks the description of Eld’s Deer to science by its discoverer Lieutenant Percy Eld in 1841. The deer was discovered from Manipur and herd of hundreds of Sangai was reported at that time by Percy Eld. However, the extant population size of Sangai is alarming.

During the commemoration ceremony, the conservation issues was raised and discussed by the team of Wildlife Institute of India and Forest Department to spread the message to the youths and seek their participation in the conservation process. Concerns to immediately initiate the conservation breeding facility for Sangai was raised to secure this magnificent species and its habitat for our future generations.

Commemoration of 21st May as World Eld's Deer Day at Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat

An on-spot painting competition was also organised at Mega Manipur School, Imphal East which was participated by around 280 students from Class 6th to 12th. The best paintings were felicitated by prizes and certificate of appreciation to the winners.

The programme was attended by Shri Ningthoujam Prabir Singh, ACF (Park & Sanctuary), Forest Department, Dr. Sharmila Naosekpam, Assistant Professor, Manipur College, Dr. Mirza Ghazanfar, Project Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India and Shri. Aton Lunghar, Principal and teaching staff of Mega Manipur School. The event witnessed a sense of ownership among the students for Sangai as it was reflected through their paintings and interactive participation in the event.

It is reiterated that the habitat conditions at KLNP are degrading at a rapid rate, primarily due to the constant high-water levels maintained at the Ithai Barrage. The commissioning of the multipurpose project for hydro-power generation and irrigation has converted the Loktak Lake, a pulsating lake and Ramsar site, into a reservoir with more or less constant water levels.

The fragile ecosystem of the KLNP makes it vulnerable to climate change impacts. In such precarious situation, collaborative efforts of conservation practitioners and active participation of the local communities and youth of Manipur is pertinent for ensuring long term sustenance of the Sangai in the wild.

Commemoration of 21st May as World Eld's Deer Day at Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat