Sangais 'sinking' in their natural habitat as erosion hits phumdis hard
Wildlife Institute of India sounds warning bell, says floating biomass likely to disappear
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 10 2013: With floating biomass (phumdis) spread across the sprawling Keibul Lamjao national Park in Loktak lake reportedly hit hard by erosion at the rate of 9 percent every year, the natural life-support system is itself posing great threat to the survival of Sangai.

Construction of the Ithai Barrage at Wabagai Keirak area is said to be choking the natural process of rejuvenating the floating biomass on which the Sangais thrive as the Park is the only natural habitat of the State animal.

At the current rate of decomposition of the floating biomass, the natural habitat of the Sangais would completely vanish or become unsuitable to support life, warns a study report issued by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) .

Even in the present scenario there are said to be many locations in the Park which are vulnerable for both the brow-antlered deer species and humans with the report clearly pointing out in a decade's time the floating biomass is unlikely to be able to bear the weight of the protected species.

The highly endangered Sangais grazing at their natural habitat

Information accessed by The Sangai Express suggest that the WII study report classified as 'Status of Phumdi in Keibul Lamjao National Park)' was submitted to the Manipur Forest Department in May this year without any follow-up measure from the Government.

The study report is based on the findings of three WII scientists namely Chongpi Tuboi, Syed Ainul Hussain and Ruchi Badola in between 2005 and 2010 .

Along with referring to the 40-sq km world's only floating national park as a rich source of sustenance for thousands of people, the report contains detailed information on the Lake's ecological, social and cultural significance and contribution to Manipur.

The 22-paged report chronicling changes in the bio-diversity of Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao national Park consequent to the construction of Ithai Barrage about 30 years ago, also includes a seven-point reco- mmendation to stem the rot.

Prior to construction of the Ithai Barrage, the phumdis used to settle during the lean season and get replenished with soil and nourishment thereby providing fodder for plants growing on the surface.

However, construction of the man-made barrier means that the phumdis remain floated and reverse the trend consequently depriving the natural process and resulting in thinning of the floating biomass which may lead to a situation when it would not be able to withstand the weight of the Sangai, mentioned the report with the recommendation that the water level be reduced during the lean seasons to allow the phumdis absorb the nutrients.

Highlighting that proliferation of the phumdis is of great concern for the survival of the Sangai as the newly formed vegetation are thin and unable to support weight of the Sangai, the report suggested opening of Ithai Barrage during monsoon to drain away the pollutants trapped inside the Park due to constant blockade by the Barrage.

Prohibiting cattle grazing in the Park and its periphery is the other recommendation of the scientists with the explanation that such measures would eventually reduce pressure on the Park's vegetation and check spread of diseases to the highly endangered deer species.

Noting abundant food in the thick meadows as crucial for the existence of the Sangai they also said that maintaining integrity of the phumdis' thickness for long term conservation of the State animal should be accorded top priority.

Negating the concept that fire as a part of the management practice only erodes nutrients of the phumdis they backed the practice of cutting the grasses and allowing natural growth process as one of the means to maintain its thickness.

Measuring maximum thickness of phumdi at 163 cm and the least at 47.44 cm, the report predicted at the rate of 9 percent degeneration, the maximum thickness will be 63.48 and minimum at 18.47 in 10 years.

Out of the Park's total area of 40-sq km the habitat area of the Sangais has been restricted to the thickest area commanding only 8.54 sq km, mentioned the report adding that changes in the Lake's hydrology is also affecting the eco-system and posing threat to both the animals and humans dependent on the lake.