World Eld's Deer Day commemorated to save Sangai
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 21 2024: In a bid to raise awareness and spur conservation efforts for the critically endangered Sangai deer, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with state's Forest Department commemorated World Eld's Deer Day at Mega Manipur School in Yaralpat, Imphal East on Tuesday.

The event brought together conservation experts, government officials, educators, and enthusiastic students, all united by a common goal: to prevent the extinction of Manipur's state animal, the Sangai.

According to a statement issued by WII, Sangai, a subspecies of Eld s deer endemic to Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), is on the brink of disappearance from the wild.

WII has highlighted the species' precarious status through longterm population estimates, indicating an increased vulnerability to local extinction.

Contributing factors include the rapid degradation of the Sangai's habitat at Keibul Lamjao, the park's isolated geography lacking connectivity wit h surrounding habitats, a rising hog deer population, and local communities' heavy reliance on park resources.

Sangai's situation is further compounded by a historical founder effect; the species once faced extinction and was only rediscovered in 1975 from a small surviving population.

Given these dire circumstances, immediate and concerted conservation actions are imperative to secure the survival of this emblematic species.

The commemoration event honours the first scientific description of Eld's deer by Lieutenant Percy Eld in 1841.Eld discovered the species in Manipur and reported seeing herds of hundreds, a stark contrast to today's alarming population numbers, the release maintained.

During the event, experts from the WII and the forest department discussed critical conservation issues and strategies.

They emphasised the urgent need to establish a conservation breeding facility for Sangai to ensure its survival for future generations.

The event aimed to engage youth in conservation efforts, recognising their vital role in safeguarding the species and its habitat.

An on-the-spot painting competition was a highlight of the event, attracting around 280 students from classes 6 to 12, followed by prize distribution.

The winning participants were honoured in a ceremony attended among others by assistant conservator of forests (park & sanctuary) Ningthoujam Prabir, Manipur College assistant professor Dr Sharmila Naosekpam, WII project scientist Dr Mirza Ghazanfar, and Mega Manipur School principal Aton Lunghar.

A crucial issue highlighted during the discussions was the degrading habitat conditions at Keibul Lamjao National Park, primarily due to the constant high-water levels maintained by the Ithai Barrage.

This multipurpose project for hydro-power generation and irrigation has transformed Loktak Lake, a pulsating lake and Ramsar site, into a reservoir with stable water levels, disrupting the delicate ecosystem of the floating national park.

The park's vulnerability to climate change impacts exacerbates the situation.

The event concluded with a call for collaborative efforts from conservation practitioners, local communities, and the youths of Manipur to ensure the long-term sustainability of Sangai in the wild.

The interactive participation and creative expressions of the students underscored the community's commitment to preserving Manipur's natural heritage, the WII statement added.

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