Manipur Zoological Garden is targeting to increase the number of Sangai (Cervus Eldi Eldi) to at least 19 in the coming season, director of Manipur Zoological Garden, L Biramangol Singh said on Sunday.
Singh was speaking during the adoption programme of Sangai (Cervus Eldi Eldi) held at the office of Team Nishikant located at Sega Road Thouda Babhok Leikai, Imphal West on Sunday.
Conservation of wildlife is the conservation of the environment, he said.
Singh said the adoption programme was first started in September 2019 at Sangai Second Home, Langol, Imphal West by keeping a total of 14 Sangai deer, including seven males and seven females.
To raise awareness among the people, four Sangai's were kept at Manipur Zoological Garden.
Since 2019 till date, the number of Sangai at the Manipur Zoological Garden has increased to nine, comprising five males, three females and one Sangai fawn.
However, due to some unavoidable circumstances, one casualty was found at Sangai Second Home, which is the captive breeding centre of Sangai, the director said.
To increase the number of Sangai, Manipur Zoological Garden is targeting at least 19 Sangai deer in both Sangai Second Home and Manipur Zoological Garden in the coming season, he added.
Manipur Chief Conservator of Forest, L Joykumar said Cervus Eldi Eldi is one of the endangered deer and in 1971, the Sangai population decreased to 17.
Due to promotion and effort to protect the Sangai, the population was increased to over 250, which is a big achievement in the history of wildlife conservation, he added.
He said Manipur Zoological Garden is planning to start a policy for Sangai Adoption programme for the public in order to promote the deer.
Keishamthong AC MLA Nishikant Sapam said politicians should serve the people sincerely instead of impersonating patriots. He said similar programmes will be continuing in the near future in order to preserve Sangai but not to earn fame.
The MLA donated monetary assistance of Rs 5,52,744 to Manipur Zoological Garden Society.