Case Study: Manipur

Hotspot

Biological
Hotspot
A region is said to
be a Biological
hotspot if the
region contain at
least 1500 species
of vascular plants
(> 0.5% of the
world's total and
the region have lost
more or equal to
70% of its original
native habitat.

 There are 34 Biological Hot Spots in the

world.
4 are located in India viz; Indo Malayan,
Himalayas and Western Ghat.
Manipur is situated in the Bio geographical
region of 8 (North East Zone).
North East Zone is the most bio diverse
region in India.
Its flora and fauna is depleted at the higher
rate than the other region of India.

 Manipur is blessed with diverse

biological species both plants and
animals (domesticated and wild)
which is in short termed as
Biodiversity and different type of
habitats due to several land forms
and altitude; as it is situated in the
Indo Malayan Biological Hot Spot.

photos

 The threats and obstacles in

conservation of the rich and diverse
flora and fauna both wild and
domesticated in Manipur:
Habitat loss due to deforestation and
change of land use.
Poaching or Hunting of the wild animals.
Unsustainable harvest practice of
different forest produce.

Sangai or the Manipur browantlered deer

The Manipur brow-antlered deer,
popularly known as the 'sangai' is a
unique animal found in Manipur.
TheSangaiis an endemic, rare and
endangered Brow-antlered deer found
only in Manipur, India.
Its common English name is Manipur
Brow-antlered Deer and the scientific
name, Rucervus eldi eldi.

 It lives in the marshy wetland in Keibul Lamjao

about 45 km from Imphal. Its habitat is located in
the southern parts of the Loktak Lake, which is the
largest freshwater lake in Eastern India.
It is also one of the seven Ramsar sites of
international importance.Sangaiis also the state
animal of Manipur.
The sangai population dwindled rapidly at the
beginning of 20th century under heavy hunting
pressure and continuous habitat destruction.
The current population of sangai according to the
March 2013, Census is 204.

 The overall population trend indicates

that the populations of sangai is stable .
The recovery plan for the sangai (2009)
focuses on
(i) strengthening the population in the Keibul
Lamjao National Park, which includes
preserving and restoring the habitat and
reducing mortalities and
(ii) advocating the establishment of a second
population within Manipur.

 Forest Department, Manipur had

taken some very good measures for
Protection of Wildlife in Manipur.
The Area of KLNP have been
increased by about five Sq Km, the
much awaited enlistment of Keibul
Lamjao National Park in the tentative
list of World Natural Heritage Site
was also fulfilled.

 Bhalok Village was declared as Amur

Falcon Village by the Forest
Department.
But still a lot of things are required to
be accomplished to conserve the
diverse Wildlife and their natural
habitat which are fast dwindling and
degrading.

Efforts made to conserve

Sangai is given special importance in the
National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The Wildlife Institute of India has prepared
a plan to secure long-term survival of
sangai after extensive research.
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Management and Planning Authority under
the Union ministry of environment, forests
and climate change will fund the
programme.

 Community Action to Protect the Sangai

Deer, India.
The project will prevent encroachment and
overexploitation of habitat resources and
poaching through environmental education
progammes.
It will address Sangai food shortages
caused by flooding in rainy seasons by
planting food plants at higher areas in the
park.

 reduce drowning during flood

through construction of dry shelters
or patches at elevated locations and
vaccination of deer for
communicable diseases and
treatment sick animals.