Sangai population below 100
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 12 2010: Sangai, one of the rarest deer species and only available in Keibul Lamjao National Park in their natural habitat is facing imminent threat of extinction.

The total number of the State animal is below 100.There is also an incompatible variance in the numbers of Sangai given by the State Government and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

All these days the department concerned has been keeping in dark the total population of Sangai living in Keibul Lamjao National Park.

All attempts to know the number of Sangai proved futile.

The endangered Sangai

It was estimated that the total population of Sangai in the park was 100 in 1955.But the number reduced to a mere 14 when Sangai population was counted in 1975 using helicopter.

Of the 14 Sangais reported then, six were male, 5 female and three fawns.

Another aerial survey conducted two years later found that the total population of Sangai had increased to 18.The increased members were three females and one fawn.

The latest aerial census conducted in 1993 recorded that the total population of Sangai was 98 comprising of 38 males, 48 females and 12 fawns.

This rise in Sangai population may be attributed to the intensive awareness programmes conducted by the Govt as well as NGOs.

From 1994 onwards, aerial census was replaced by ground census.

1994 recorded 137 Sangais.

The latest census conducted by Forest Dept in 2003 recorded the total population of Sangai as 180 of which 65 were stags, 74 hinds and 41 fawns.

Making a comparative study of the survey reports collected over the years, the Dept estimated that the annual growth rate of Sangai was nine.

Going by this calculation, the growth rate of the last 28 years indicated that 1 sq kilometre of space is shared by 6.92 Sangais.

On the other hand, the Wildlife Institute of India has also making estimates of the population of Sangai since 2006.The institute's estimate put the total population of Sangai at around 76, this means one Sq Km is shared by four Sangais.

The report produced by WII after studying for three years said that 25 per cent of the total population of Sangais are stags as hinds constitute 52.6 per cent, juveniles 12.8 per cent and fawns 9.7 percent.

Although there is wide variance in the number of Sangais given by the Dept and WII, the State Govt, acting on the report of WII, has taken up necessary measures to prepare an alternative area as breeding ground for Sangais.

Experts said that one major factor for the decline in Sangai population is the ecological degradation in the habitat of Sangai.