Javan Rhinos once roamed Manipur Nongins : Extinct belief negated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2010: The 55th Wildlife Week was observed at Manipur Zoological Garden at Iroisemba along with the call for protection and care of the Sangais.

Speaking as chief guest of the function organised under the aegis of Wildlife Wing of Forest and Environment Department, Government of Manipur, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Manipur Dr S Singsit said that Sangai is the pride of Manipur and so this rare endangered species should be protected.

He pointed out that Javan Rhinos which were found in Manipur at one time have become extinct on account of lack of awareness and the need to protect the endangered species among the people.

Dr Singsit expressed satisfaction that four Nongins, one female and three males, the State bird, which he himself had never seen in his life, are now in the State zoo.

State Bird Nongin

He informed the gathering that DFO of Ukhrul Soreiphy Vashum had rewarded eight villagers of Rajai Khullen of Ukhrul district which lie on the border with Myanmar for capturing the four Nongins.

Chief Wildlife Warden A Kharshiing and Additional PCCF Anilkumar attended the function as president and guest of honour respectively.

During the observance, a book titled, 'Endangered Manipur Brow Antlered Deer �an Environmental Assessment', written by Dr Khagembam Shamungou was also released by the chief guest.

Prizes were also distributed among the winners of the on the spot essay writing competition, drawing competition and wildlife photo competition organised in connection with Wildlife Week observance.

In category-I of the essay writing competition, Moirangthem Pusparani of Tentha Model School won the first prize, Nongmaithem Joneto of Padma Ratna English School won the second prize while the third prize was won by Sapam Indira of Tentha Model School.

In category-II of the competition, Khundrakpam Veeshel of Vision Creative School of Sciences, Elizabeth Huidrom of Herbert School and Sapam Somorjit of KM Blooming School won the first, the second and the third prizes respectively.

In the drawing competition, Sanatomba Moirangthem of Bal Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School, Boon Anoubam of Heritage Convent and Jackson Akoijam of MM Higher Secondary School won the first, the second and third prizes respectively.

In the Wildlife Photo competition, Panjoubam Santosh, Laishram Stallone and Moirangthem Ranjit respectively won the first, second and third prizes in the section of Mammal photographs while in the section of Bird photographs, Laishram Stallone won the first prize, Moirangthem Ranjit and N Jonish jointly shared the second prize and Premchand Thongam won the third prize.

Laishram Joychandra and W Pramodini who respectively rescued Sangai fawn and deer and handed over to the custody of the Department were also honoured at the occasion.

According to another source, Moirangthem Ranjit and Akoijam Bapin of Keishamthong Top Leirak handed over three kittens of Keijenglang to Chief Wildlife Warden A Kharshiing today.

The Keijenglang kittens have been reportedly rescued from Thoubal Wangmataba on September 30 last.