Three sub-species of the Eld’s deer-the Manipur’s sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii, McClleland 1842), Burma’s (Myanmar) thamin (Rucervus eldii thamin, Thomas 1918) and Thailand’s lamang (Rucervus eldii siamensis, Lyddeker 1915) are recognized across the south and Southeast Asia. A fourth sub-species called Rucervus eldii hainanus for a population of around 100 heads now in Hainan (China), is also suggested. The Manipur race of Eld’s deer is distinguished by its well developed hairy hind pasterns and smaller curvature of antlers. 

The diversity of species in the North Eastern India region is attributed to the recent geological history, especially the Himalayan orogeny. Since both the Brahmaputra and Chindwin system of rivers drain Manipur, its fauna included both Asamese and Burmese elements. Though, there is great specific diversity, the genera of the Brahmaputra and the Chindwin drainages are almost the same. Fresh water from the Indian mainland would have migrated towards Myanmar and other parts of south east Asia only then. Thus, the species of fishes in this region probably evolved only very recently from their old gondwanan ancestor. The diversity is attributed to the vigorous movements of earth’s crust and constant changes in the courses of waters.

Threats to Manipur Fishes

The freshwater fishes of the Eastern Himalaya were assessed and evaluated to assign their threat criteria and red listing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2009-10. Out of more than 580 species assessed, 50 were found Vulnerable and 15 were reported as Endangered. Twenty-seven species in Manipur are Vulnerable and 10 (ten) species were Endangered. Of the whole eastern Himalaya, the most threatened fishes are confined in Manipur and its adjoining areas.

Eco-systems have an inherent capacity to adapt and adjust to the climatic variability as well as to incremental changes in the landscape to a certain extent. When this capacity is exceeded, the eco-system parameters get altered in multifarious ways and become socially and environmentally unsustainable. Ecosystems are well recognized life support systems which are critical factors for human well being. Hence, the importance of the conservation of ecosystem which is veritably subjected to anthropogenic climate change is explicitly highlighted in the Article 2 of the UNFCCC, 1992. The impacts on the ecosystems could lead to loss and migration of rare and endangered species and fragmentation of habitats. Though many of these are medium term impacts but they pose serious consequences especially in species extinction whether globally or locally. 

Manipur comes under two of the global bio-diversity "hotspots" viz. Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot and Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot characterized by eco-systems which are rich in bio-diversity and possess rare and/or endangered species. The projected climatic variability could have adverse impacts on ecologically distinct and rich biodiversity of the region. Therefore, it is crucial, to be cautious about the causal links between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the maintenance of ecosystem services. Thus adaptation responses have to be crafted in such a manner that the endangered species are preserved and adverse impacts are minimized as species extinctions whether global or local due to climate change (natural or anthropogenic) bring about irreversible change. Moreover since both the Brahmaputra and Chindwin river systems drain Manipur, the aquatic fauna of the state embodies both Assamese and Burmese elements. Many fish species which were hitherto not recorded elsewhere in India are found only in Manipur. The Manipur River Basin is reported to be under the greatest threat - specifically for the freshwater fish. Out of the fifteen endangered fish species of Eastern Himalayas, eight fish species are reported from Manipur.

The conservation of ecosystem is vital to the ecological security of the state landscape in terms of restoring forest cover, maintaining the sources of perennial water required for drinking and irrigation purposes and sustaining agriculture which in turn is linked to the livelihood of the people. The sustainable management of ecosystem, biodiversity and livelihood requirements must go hand in hand with climate friendly practices and adaptations to the dynamic situation that may arise during execution of the programme. Read more

- T. Brajakumar, Ph.D. (email: brajakumar_t@yahoo.com)

World Environment day 2015 was observed on the 5th June under United Nation’s theme “Seven Billion people. One Planet.Consume with care.” at Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium organized by Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur.

The event was observed to make aware the common public about environmental issues. Environment Awareness Campaign is started to address environmental issues like wastage and losses of food, deforestation, increasing global warming and so on.

Every year,the event is organized according to a given particular theme and slogan of the year to bring effectiveness in the campaign all over the world. read more

For Kanrei Horam, banning of bird hunting in and around his native Kharasom village in Manipur’s hill district of Ukhrul is simply good news. Because it will help in regenerating Yongchak trees and other agro-resources besides reviving loss habitat of the rare birds in his hill village which is located about 160 km north of state capital. Large scale hunting, use of pesticides, loss of habitat due to deforestation to meet the demands of an expanding population coupled by the changing climatic condition has threatened the rich biodiversity of Manipur hills and rendered certain bird species vanished from its existence in the region. The ban on bird hunting was in force following the villages’ yearly public sitting in January this year. “The reason behind the ban is related with the attack on village crops mostly in Yongchak (Perkia Timoriana) trees by unknown insects”, says 58 year old Kanrei, a key functionary of Kharasom village authority. “The incident(insect invasion) has severely affected Yongchak business last year.” read more