Why is it in the News?

The Manipur Government has expressed its reservations to the Centre over a hydro-electric modernisation plan in the state’s famous Loktak Lake saying it could be detrimental to the endangered species of Sangai deer apart from disturbing the biodiversity of the lake.

About Sangai Deer:

• The sangai is an endemic and endangered subspecies of Eld's deer found only in Manipur, India.
• It is also the state animal of Manipur.
• Its common English name is Manipur brow-antlered deer or Eld's deer and the scientific name is Rucervus eldii eldii.
• It is believed to have originated from a common ancestor of the brow-antlered deer family, which is thought to have existed in the region during the Pleistocene epoch, around 12,000 years ago.
• Its original natural habitat is the floating marshy grasslands of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in the southern parts of the Loktak Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in eastern India.
• Appearance: is a medium-sized deer that is unique in appearance and behavior.
• The Sangai deer is a slender and graceful deer, with long legs and a thin neck. They have a height of around 90-100 cm at the shoulder and can weigh between 70 to 120 kg.
• Food Habits: The Sangai deer is primarily found in the marshy wetlands of the Loktak Lake in Manipur, where they feed on the vegetation growing on the floating biomass called “Phumdis.”
• They are known to feed on a wide variety of plants, including grasses, sedges, and herbs.
• Vulnerable Species: The Sangai is an endangered species and is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• The population of Sangai deer has been severely threatened due to habitat loss, hunting, and poaching.
• In the 1950s, the population of the Sangai deer was estimated to be around 600-700 individuals.
• However, by the 1970s, the population had declined to less than 100 individuals due to extensive hunting and habitat loss.
• The Government of India and the State Government of Manipur took several conservation measures, including the establishment of the Keibul Lamjao National Park in 1977, to protect and conserve the Sangai deer.
• The Sangai deer is a social animal and is usually found in small herds of 2-20 individuals.
• Protecting and conserving their natural habitats is one of the most effective ways to ensure the survival of these species.
• This can be achieved through the creation and management of protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife reserves, and the restoration of degraded habitats.