Imphal, January 13 2010: Close on the heels of news report on the alarming decline in the population of the endangered Sangai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) S singsit affirmed that head count of the rare deer species would commence at the earliest.

speaking to newspersons at his office today, the top Forest official indicated that cases of poaching Sangai had been on the rise in recent times as about 234 traps could be detected/recovered from the animal's Keibul Lamjao natural habitat.

Interacting with reporters after releasing the first ever wall calendar on the Keibul Lamjao national Park, the PCCF said the latest Sangai census dates back to 2003 during which population of the Cervus eldi eldi (biological term) was recorded at 180 .

He further revealed that inspite of conduct of another census in 2005 the Sangai figure remains unknown as the details had not be provided by the Wildlife Institute of India, whose officials carried out the survey on the national Park.

Reacting to the news report published in this paper regarding fewer than 100 Sangai population at present, Singsit conceded that no precise figure could be spelt out at this juncture other than the 2003 census report and added that the WII study on the population figure also remains vague as the same could not entirely completed owing to problems of insurgents' presence and insurgency related incidents at the National Park.

asserting that along with experts of WII, manipur university and NGOs Sangai head count would soon resume, the PCCF also reminded that a proposal/presentation was made for preservation of the Park as a World Heritage site during the October 12-13, 2009 INTACH meet.

The only remaining procedure for declaration of the Park as a World Heritage Side concerns Central Government's official appraisal to the UNESCO, he added and exuded confidence that the status would be granted.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (Park and Sanctuary) L Joykumar described as worrisome the condition of the park ever since the Ithai barrage was constructed.

Disclosing that illegal poaching of Sangai inside it natural habitat has reached an alarming situation with the detection and subsequent recovery of about 234 traps upto August last, Joykumar accounted that there is no sign of recession of hunters stealthily foraying into the Park.

Recounting a particular incident, the DCF informed of Forest Department personnel recently apprehending two poachers and slapping penalty of Rs 4000 each against the duo identified as Heisnam Bir of Khordak Awang Leikai and Laishram Kripa from Thanga Khunjem Terapokpi.

Meanwhile, the PCCF S Singsit conveyed of a Government plan for declaration of Siroy (Sirui) Hills as a wildlife sanctuary for which the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner had been instructed to complete land procurement procedures without further delay.

He also allayed apprehension that bush fire might have ravaged Manipur section of the Dzuko valley with the observation that there is strong possibility of heavy snowfall covering the hill range when the incident was reported.

Chipping in Additional PCCF Bala Prasad informed that under a specific working plan mature trees are being felled in the forests of Chandel and Ukhrul with similar programmes to chalked out soon for other district having abundant forest cover.

He reiterated that under no circumstance are unauthorised cutting and transportation of timbers allowed as Forest Department personnel are maintaining round the clock vigil to seize all kinds of forest products with particular emphasis on checking timber smuggling.

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