Shyamkumar instructs officials to hasten Sangai conservation works

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 21

Forest and environment minister, Th. Shyamkumar said that the government has been taking up certain steps and measures to conserve Sangai which is the only species found in the state.

He was delivering the chief guest speech during the inaugural function of the one-day state level sensitisation cum consultation workshop on “Conservation of Sangai” for legislators, administrators and media today at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal.

The consultation workshop was organised by principal chief conservator of forest, head of forest force and director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

He asked the officials of forest department to not to wait for tomorrow in performing their duties and urged them to work at their best level to save the endangered animal with a sense of urgency. 

In order to conserve the animal which represents the state, the officials should also take suggestion from senior citizens who have ample knowledge of conserving and protecting the animal, he added.

Wildlife Institute of India, scientist-G, S.A. Hussain during his short presentation on Sangai conservation said that threat to the continuous survival of Sangai is largely because of single isolated small population, increased probability of diseases, deteriorating habitat condition, lack of connectivity for re-colonisation, biomass demand of the park and inadequate of staff, infrastructure and fund.

He said that considering the fact that the availability of land is a limiting factor in Manipur valley, increasing the size of Keibul Lamjao National Park which is the habitat place of Sangai will be a challenge.

So strengthening the population in the park by preserving and restoring the habitat, reducing mortalities and establishment of second population within the state is a way to conserve the environment, he added.

Moreover steps should be taken up to improve the habitat condition and protection measures, to mobilise the local communities through awareness and sensitisation programmes and to conduct applied research, continued Hussain.

The function was attended by principal chief conservator of Forests and head of Forest force, K. Angami, additional chief secretary Shambhu Singh, MLA, L. Radhakishore and MLA, S. Bira as presidium members.