Sangai's habitat shrinks to 6 sq kms
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03: There is bad news for the endangered Sangai again with the Wetland International South Asia reporting that the size of the natural habitat of the brow antlered deer has shrunk from its earlier 40 sq kms to only 6 sq kms now.

This alarming finding was reported in the study of the international body taken up under the "Conservation and Management of Loktak lake and Associated Wetlands Integrating Manipur river basin." The study was taken up with the active support of the Union Planning Commission.

The report stated that the habitat of the Sangai has shrunk due to construction of the Ithai Barrage.

Loktak lake which is home to Keibul Lamjao, the natural habitat of Sangai filled with phumdis

Talking to The Sangai Express an official source said that the reports worked out by different departments including the LDA for Loktak clearly mention that the construction of Ithai Barrage has dealt a big blow on Loktak lake and its natural system.

After the Ithai Barrage came up, the phums (floating bio mass), at the Keibul Lamjao National Park started deteriorating leading to the reduction of the natural habitat of the Sangai from 40 sq kms to only 6 sq kms today.

The Keibul Lamjao is the only natural habitat of the Sangai.

The reduction in the area of the Sangai's habitat took place between 1977 and 1999.Since the soil of the Park has become highly acidic it has dealt a blow to the natural surroundings with many vegetation unable to grow and flourish.

The acidity of the soil has also disturbed the fish breeding farm, added the source.

In 1982 the phumdis at the area was only 30 percent but after the Ithai Barrage was built it increased to 74 percent in 2002, said the source further.

The ability of the lake to retain the water has also decreased to 175 million cubic metre in the last two decades.

To save the ecology, the water as well to help meet the needs of people from the lake, the report has suggested the formulation of a policy to operate Ithai Barrage.

For the purpose of implementing the policy, the report has suggested an Environmental Flows Team with representations from the NHPC, State Forest Department, Fisheries, Irrigation and Flood Control, Agriculture, LDA and EF Expert (Wetlands International).

The report further said that based on the data and information collected by the SDWRA, an alternate site for the Sangai has been identified representations from the NHPC, State Forest Department, Fisheries, Irrigation and Flood Control, Agriculture, LDA and EF Expert (Wetlands International).

The report further said that based on the data and information collected by the SDWRA, an alternate site for the Sangai has been identified at the Phumdis at Maibam Phumlak, said the source and added that an international workshop may be held in this connection.

Other suggestions mooted in the report include plating 3024 tree saplings at the catchment areas of the lake by the Forest Department and under an Integrated Forest programme to plant bamboo saplings over 5000 sq hectare.

The rapid deforestation in the catchment areas has resulted in the erosion of 4.5 million ton of top soil.

Out of this .65 million MT ton are deposited at the lake leading to siltation.

The shifting cultivation has also led to the erosion of soil from the hills.

To ensure community participation in the afforestation programme at the catchment area, the report also suggested handing over the task to a Forest Development Agency as well as Forest Management Committee.

To control flood, the report also mooted opening 10 regulators at the southern and northern zone of the lake as well as to put up 10 culverts on the IV road between Toubul and Mayang Imphal.

Installation of 16 fresh hatcheries to enable the Fisheries Department to breed fingerlings has also been mooted.

Construction of 2000 low cost latrine around the lake by the PHED has also been suggested.