Sangai conservation call marks Eld's Deer Day, Biodiversity Day at DMU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 21 2026:
International Eld's Deer Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 were observed together today, at Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, underlining the urgent need for biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.
May 21 commemorates the 1841 scientific description of the Eld's Deer, locally known as Sangai, by Lieutenant Percy Eld, who first reported large herds in Manipur.
Today, the species is confined to Keibul Lamjao National Park and remains critically vulnerable to extinction.
To raise awareness, the Wildlife Institute of India.
Manipur Forest Department, and DMU's Department of Zoology jointly held an awareness-cum-interactive session attended by around 150 research scholars, M.Sc students, and faculty.
Chief Conservator of Forests L Joykumar was chief guest, while Dean, School of Life Sciences, L Hemchandra Singh presided.
DCF (Park & Sanctuary) L Biramangol Singh and Manipur Zoological Garden Director Kh Shamungou Singh attended as guests of honour.
Dr Mirza Ghazanfar Ullah Ghazi led the technical session, highlighting major threats to Sangai and ongoing conservation efforts by the Forest Department and WII.
Discussions stressed strengthening scientific research on Sangai ecology, identifying a second habitat in Manipur, and building mass awareness with active community participation.
The programme concluded with a call for collective action to safeguard Manipur's biodiversity and secure the future of the Sangai, the "Pride of Manipur" .




