Pumlen Pat residents urge
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 17 2015 :
Urging the State Forest Department to preserve Pumlen Pat as a fresh water body, people residing around the lake have threatened to initiate intense agitations if the decision to translocate the endangered Sangai to the lake is not revoked.
Speaking at a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, Youth Physical Club, Arong Khunou secretary Wahengbam Sanjoy said that it is unfortunate that a second home for the brow-antlered deer is being planned Pumlen Pat.
He said that the area covered by Pumlen Pat is only 22 sq km while the new habitat of Sangai requires 60 sq km.
As such, it would not be convenient to translocate Sangais to Pumlen Pat as the lake does not have ample floating biomass as well.
He pointed out that the present area covered by Keibul Lamjao National Park can accommodate thousands of Sangais.
Sanjoy also urged the Forest Department not to prevent villagers from conserving Pumlen Pat as a fresh water body.
Maintaining that people would launch an intense agitation if the Department goes ahead with its proposed plan, Sanjoy said that Government must be responsible if Keibul Lamjao is reduced to ashes in the people's stir.
He also urged the civil society organisations of the State to extend support to the people of the area.