Tell tale signs of presence of wild elephants detected in Manipur

Imphal, June 29: Wild elephants could still be roaming around in herds in the thick lush green jungles of the State if evidences detected at a thick jungle covering over 1600 sq kms of land and yet untouched by human intrusion in Senapati and Tamenglong districts near the Nagaland border is any indication. On receiving reports of the new evidences, a team from the State Forest Department visited the place where tell tale signs of the existence of wild elephants were reported. Though the team, which went to conduct a survey, did not come across any of the majestic animals they found foot prints suggesting that herds of elephants may be moving around unseen and undisturbed by humans. The footprints were moulded in Plaster of Paris and brought back to Imphal, said sources from the Forest Department. According to villagers the best time to spot the elephants is November and December. The areas where the wild elephants are believed to have made their abode covers an approximate area of 1600 sq kms and falls under the Wet Temperate and Semi Evergreen Forest belt with altitudes ranging from 1600 mts to 2000 mts. The villages located on the periphery of the thick forest areas are, Makuilongdi, Oklong, Kanem, Rajai, Kaijang, Chhakha, Lemta, Old Lemta, Nallang, Kuilong and Kodi. The biggest village here is Kodi. Abaki river which runs through the thick forest provides the needed water supply to the wild life. A majestic water fall with an approximate height of about 1000 feet is the crowning glory of the river. This water fall can be seen from Old Lemta village. Needless to say this area has immense tourism potential. This river starts from the 1600 sq kms Wet Temperate and Evergreen Forest and empties into the Barak river. Another river, Agaki river, is also a major water source for Barak river which starts from the 115.80 sq km Bunning Wild Life Sanctuary in Tamenglong district. Unofficially known as the Makuilongdi Wildlife area, this spot of green, verdant forests have attracted the attention of hunters. In the 11 villages located along the periphery of this jungle, there are at least 100 'professional hunters'. Forest Department sources said the earnings of each hunter can touch the Rs 1 lakh mark in a single year. If the Government plans to include the jungle stretch under the protected forest category, then alternatives have to be worked out for the professional hunters. Or else the very meaning of the sanctuary may be rendered meaningless, expressed the villagers. On the other hand the villages, save for Oklong and Makuilongdi, are not connected by any motorable roads. Forest Department source said the jungle stretch is home not only to the wild elephants but a number of rare species including Tragopan Pheasant, wild goat, black monkey, Slow Lorris, Langur, Leopard, wild boar etc. The villagers informed the visiting Forest Department team that the wild elephants move in 3/4 herds. They also ruled out that the elephants seen there are migratory and sketched the geographical and topographical nature of the area to prove their point. The area is encircled by the Maram-Paren road, NH-39 and IT road on the north, east und south. As such there is no route for any migrating elephants to come to the zone.