World Eld's Deer Day commemorated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2024: The Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with Manipur Forest Department commemorated May 21 as World Eld's Deer Day by organising an on-spot painting competition at Mega Manipur School, Imphal East.

According to a statement issued by Wildlife Institute of India, the ceremony was held to gamer a wider support and raise conservation concern on the precarious situation of Sangai, whose population at Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) is at the edge of extinction from the wild.

Meanwhile, around 280 students from Class VI to XII participated in the painting competition.

Prizes and certificates of appreciation were awarded to the winners.

The programme was attended by 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 Aton Lunghar, Principal and teaching staff of Mega Manipur School.

It may be noted that May 21 marks the day when an account of Eld's Deer was given to science by its discoverer Lieutenant Percy Eld in 1841.The deer was discovered from Manipur and a herd of hundreds of Sangai was reported at that time by Percy Eld.

However, the extant population size of Sangai is alarming, added WIL During the commemoration ceremony, Sangai conservation issues were raised and discussed by the team of Wildlife Institute of India and Forest Department to spread the message to the youth and seek their participation in the conservation process.

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