KEIBUL LAMJAO, Nov 24 - A three-day International workshop on Sangai deer conservation was inaugurated at this picturesque village, about 50 km from Imphal on Thursday.
Planning and Development Authority chairman Tongbram Mangibabu was the chief guest at the inaugural function while Principal Chief Conservator of Forest PN Prasad, State chief wildlife warden Kereilhouvi Angami and State Information Commissioner Th Ibobi also attended the function.
Stressing the need for an income generating project for the local populace in order to have a sustainable livelihood in and around the Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) where the Sangai lives, Mangibabu hoped that new innovative ideas and strategies to conserve the rare deer will be evolved by the workshop.
Prasad in his keynote address assured eco-tourism projects for the benefit of locals. State chief wildlife warden K Angami appealed the people to become the protector of Sangai.
State Information Commissioner Th Ibobi lauded the efforts taken up for the conservation of Sangai which was just 14 in number in 1972. But it has increased to about 260 this year. The global population of this species is said to be about 2,000.
Several scientists and wildlife experts from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and USA besides Wildlife Institute of India and other related institutions will deliberate for securing the future of Sangai in its natural habitat in the workshop.
