Centre to help protect endangered deer in Manipur: Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar has said the Centre will extend all help to protect the brow antlered deer whose numbers in the entire world is just 204, according to a 2013 census.

Wildlife enthusiasts feel there is an encouraging ray of hope for the survival of the rare deer on the brink of imminent extinction. 

The union minister for forest, environment and climate change made the announcement as he visited the 40 sq. km Keibul Lamjao National Park, the natural habitat of the brow antlered deer, locally known as Sangai, on Saturday shortly before leaving for Mizoram after a two-day visit to Manipur. 

Javadekar said: "As per official information, there are now 90 stags, 86 hinds and 28 fawns. All assistance will be extended for the protection of this endangered species."

There is a slight increase in the deer numbers. There were 180 deer in 2000. 

Asked if the Centre is thinking in terms of a project on the lines of Project Elephant or Project Rhino, Javedkar said: "Once we get a concrete proposal from the forest department in Manipur, we will chalk out the plan."

Referring to the Manipur government proposal to have the Loktak lake, the largest fresh water lake in eastern India, declared as the world heritage site, he said: "We welcome the plan. However, specific proposal should first come to the Centre."

Obliquely referring to localised objections from some sections of the fringe villages, Javedkar said: "The govenment plans are not against any village. We seek cooperation from all sections of people."

For generations, the Loktak lake has been the source of livelihood for the people of the fringe villages who catch fish, pluck edible plants, as also for other living beings. 

From time to time budding politicians instigate the villagers to demand closure of the national park so that it could be converted to paddy fields.

In view of snatchings of firearms from officials in this insurgency afflicted state, the forest guards, deployed in the lake and the national park area, are not issued firearms.