IMPHAL, Dec 5 : Notwithstanding the fact that a considerable geographical area of Manipur is covered by forest land, there is little or no wild animals in these forests. Wanton poaching/hunting for commercial purposes and domestic consumption on the one hand and failure of the State to check poaching are the twin factors responsible for the rapid decline in the wildlife population of Manipur.
Under the prevailing situation, it needs immediate attention from the highest authority and the Prime Minister to save the wildlife of Manipur.
It is not only indigenous wild animal of Manipur but migratory birds which are also facing grave threat in the State. It is an unfortunate irony that these birds come to Manipur every winter crossing thousands of miles to escape from the harsh winter of Europe and Central Asia only to die at the hands of hunters here. When they return home as the weather becomes warmer, their numbers are greatly reduced.
During a recent visit by this reporter to the districts of Churachandpur, Tameng-long, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul, wild animals including migratory birds were seen sold in most of the important market places across these districts.
At Churachandpur Bazar, dried meat of wild boars were seen piled up in heaps for sale. Moreover, many hotels located along Guite Road in Churachandpur Bazar were found serving meats of only wild animals.
Once when this reporter entered a hotel at Tuima to have a meal, one of the attendant asked if he would have meat of wild pig or monkey or deer or chicken. At Thanlon too, cooked meat of wild pigs were observed offered in most of the hotels.
During a three day visit to Tamenglong district headquarters last month, meats of wild animals were seen sold in abundance at Tamenglong Bazar. Starting from small birds, meats of wild pig, turtles, porcupines, flying squirrels etc were being sold at costly prices.
A fully grown turtle caught from Makru river within the Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary was also put on display for sale at Rs 1500. The turtle looked different from other turtles brought for sale at Tamenglong Bazar. Unlike others, its upper scale was very soft. It was said that the turtle was of rare species.
At Tamenglong Bazar, wild roosters were sold at Rs 200 per head while meat of wild pigs was sold at Rs 250 per kg.
Just in front of an Assam Rifles post located on the road from Khongshang to Tamenglong, some women were seen selling wild roosters and flying squirrels. One AR personnel even held up a flying squirrel and said that its price was Rs 250.
On another occasion, some AR personnel who were on patrolling duty near Noney halted the vehicle in which this reporter was travelling. They put up a porcupine and asked the driver to take it to their post. Obviously, the AR personnel bought the porcupine for consumption.
It was a same story at Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel too. The main markets of these districts were seen adorned with dried and fresh meats of wild animals particularly deer and wild pigs.
Ironically no law enforcing agency were seen taking action against poaching and hunting wild animals in all these districts. Wild animals and their meats were seen sold in the markets openly.
One Deputy Commissioner said, “In hill districts even small birds are not spared. They kill the birds using catapults and guns”.
Considering the abject failure of the State Government in protecting wildlife, it needs immediate attention of the Prime Minister who is also the Chairman of the National Wildlife Board in order to check poaching/hunting wild animals in Manipur.
In case necessary steps are not taken up effectively at the earliest, almost all the wildlife of Manipur may become extinct within a short time and this would result in disastrous ecological imbalance.
Source: Sangai Express
Under the prevailing situation, it needs immediate attention from the highest authority and the Prime Minister to save the wildlife of Manipur.
It is not only indigenous wild animal of Manipur but migratory birds which are also facing grave threat in the State. It is an unfortunate irony that these birds come to Manipur every winter crossing thousands of miles to escape from the harsh winter of Europe and Central Asia only to die at the hands of hunters here. When they return home as the weather becomes warmer, their numbers are greatly reduced.
During a recent visit by this reporter to the districts of Churachandpur, Tameng-long, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul, wild animals including migratory birds were seen sold in most of the important market places across these districts.
At Churachandpur Bazar, dried meat of wild boars were seen piled up in heaps for sale. Moreover, many hotels located along Guite Road in Churachandpur Bazar were found serving meats of only wild animals.
Once when this reporter entered a hotel at Tuima to have a meal, one of the attendant asked if he would have meat of wild pig or monkey or deer or chicken. At Thanlon too, cooked meat of wild pigs were observed offered in most of the hotels.
During a three day visit to Tamenglong district headquarters last month, meats of wild animals were seen sold in abundance at Tamenglong Bazar. Starting from small birds, meats of wild pig, turtles, porcupines, flying squirrels etc were being sold at costly prices.
A fully grown turtle caught from Makru river within the Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary was also put on display for sale at Rs 1500. The turtle looked different from other turtles brought for sale at Tamenglong Bazar. Unlike others, its upper scale was very soft. It was said that the turtle was of rare species.
At Tamenglong Bazar, wild roosters were sold at Rs 200 per head while meat of wild pigs was sold at Rs 250 per kg.
Just in front of an Assam Rifles post located on the road from Khongshang to Tamenglong, some women were seen selling wild roosters and flying squirrels. One AR personnel even held up a flying squirrel and said that its price was Rs 250.
On another occasion, some AR personnel who were on patrolling duty near Noney halted the vehicle in which this reporter was travelling. They put up a porcupine and asked the driver to take it to their post. Obviously, the AR personnel bought the porcupine for consumption.
It was a same story at Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel too. The main markets of these districts were seen adorned with dried and fresh meats of wild animals particularly deer and wild pigs.
Ironically no law enforcing agency were seen taking action against poaching and hunting wild animals in all these districts. Wild animals and their meats were seen sold in the markets openly.
One Deputy Commissioner said, “In hill districts even small birds are not spared. They kill the birds using catapults and guns”.
Considering the abject failure of the State Government in protecting wildlife, it needs immediate attention of the Prime Minister who is also the Chairman of the National Wildlife Board in order to check poaching/hunting wild animals in Manipur.
In case necessary steps are not taken up effectively at the earliest, almost all the wildlife of Manipur may become extinct within a short time and this would result in disastrous ecological imbalance.
Source: Sangai Express
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