Wildlife Board to be revamped in Manipur

Imphal, May 04: To give more teeth to the State wildlife protection machinery and thereby make it more effective, the State Government has decided to revamp the Wild Life Advisory Board and appoint honorary wildlife wardens in both the hill and valley areas. A reliable source in the State Forest Department said today that the reserved forest area occupies five percent of the total forest area of the State. Under a new measure for protecting wildlife in National Parks and Sanctuaries, the Department will be working hand in hand with local residents. Their co-operation will be sought in every aspect. The Forest Department is also paying proper attention to the programme for its successful implementation, he said. The official disclosed that the Wildlife Advisory Board will be reconstituted by inducting subject experts including leading sociologists from hill areas at the earliest. Government is also trying to enforce the Wildlife Protection Act in the hill areas and the hindrances are being looked into. Pointing out that the Department faces several hiccups in implementing the Wildlife Act due to the prevailing land holding system and the tradition and culture in the hill areas, the official source said proper measures need to be taken up to make the people realize the necessity to enforcing the Act. The prevailing system also needs to by amended, he added. On the rare fauna species found in the State, the official gave an endangered list. Among them are the Hoolock (Yongmu) found near Ukhrul's Kangkhui Cave, Slow Lorris (Loudraobi), Clouded Leopard, Serow (Sabeng) and some Horn-bill species. He said only five types of Hornbill species are found in Manipur. The flight route of these Hornbills are from Kailam hills in Churachandpur district to Tamenglong hills which is a single route. The forest areas which are in the list to be announced as sanctuaries include Kailam in Churachandpur, Zeilad and Buning in Tamenglong, Jiri Makru and Siroi. Among them, the Government has plans to preserve Buning and Jiri Makru as untouched virgin forest lands.