Torch rally staged
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, July 29 2022: People of Keibul Lamjao staged a mass torch rally today protesting the decision to construct 'Heritage Park' at a different site instead of Keibul Lamjao.

The rally which showed huge participation from locals of Keibul Lamjao and its adjoining areas and members of Heritage Demand Committee raised slogans demanding construction of the said heritage park in Keibul Lamjao.

The rally started from Keibul Sangram but was stopped by police as they approached Chandpur ground.

Moirang police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd as the mob tried to move past the police.

Speaking to media on the sideline of the rally, S Bembem, executive member of Heritage Demand Committee, said the people of Keibul Lamjao had been working selflessly to protect the rare Sangai, which is not available anywhere in the world.

The people in the past had also sacrificed means of livelihood including paddy fields and areas from where they forage local vegetables for the sake of safety and survivability of Sangai, she added.

Since the declaration of Keibul Lamjao as a National Park in 1977, locals have been prohibited from entering the area to forage vegetables like loklei, pullei etc, she added.

Bembem also said that Chief Minister N Biren Singh, on many occasions, had promised the people that Heritage Park would be constructed in Keibul Lamjao.

The Chief Minister had on many occasions said that the fund for construction of the said park has already been sanctioned and that construction will start soon, which gave a glimpse of hope to the people of Keibul Lamjao that they will finally get some means of livelihood if the park is constructed, she added.

Local MLA had also said that an eco-tourism park in Moirang Khunou will be constructed while the Heritage Park will be constructed at Keibul Lamjao.

However, the Government had taken the decision to shift the site for the Heritage Park to Moirang Khunou on the ground that the site in Keibul Lamjao is a low lying area which will create hindrance in land development for construction, she added.

Following this, the locals of Keibul Lamjao had informed the Government that they will donate their agricultural land in front of Khongjaingamba Ching which is not a low lying area for construction of the Heritage Park.

The people who took part in the rally also said that the Heritage Park will play an important role in promoting Sangai and hence construction on agricultural land should not pose any problem.

The people also appealed the Chief Minister to keep his commitment of constructing Heritage Park in Keibul Lamjao.

Meanwhile, N Ghanashyam, secretary NAYA Club Nongmaikhong, said that if the name 'Keibul Lamjao National Park' is giving a false narrative that only the people of Keibul is protecting the Sangai, the park should be renamed as Sangai National Park to prevent any misunderstanding.

Ghanashyam said this during a press meet organised by local clubs of Kangsoibi Mapal, Thangalawai Sabal Leikai, Ithai Wapokpi, Kairenphabi and Nongmaikhong today at Ibudhou Pakhangba Hiyangtek Lairembi Shanglen and added that it was unfortunate that there is a misconception that Sangai is protected only by people of Keibul as people and clubs of 17 villages around the park have been doing their parts in protecting the Sangai.

Thanga, Sagram, Keibul, Chingmei, Chandapur, Moirangkhunou, Keirenphabi, Thangalawai, Kumbi, Ithai Wapokpi, Nongmaikhong, Khordak, Laphupat Tera, Hiyangkhong, Konuma, Phaobakchao and Komlakhong are the 17 villages around the park whose people have been doing their parts in protecting not only the Sangai but other wildlife in the areas too, he added.

Ghanashyam, however, added that they have no objection to construction of Heritage Park at either Keibul Lamjao or Moirang Khunou or any other area but their only concern was that any issue relating to the site for construction should not affect the Sangai Festival.

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