TSE adopts Sangais of Sangai second home

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 20 : The Sangai Express has taken up the responsibility of adopting the Sangais which are kept at Sangai Conservation and Breeding Centre, Langol, which is often known as the second home of the brow antlered deer.
In connection with the development, a Sangai adoption programme was organised by The State Express at Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba today and the event was attended by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF & HoFF) Kereilhouvi Angami, PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden DJN Anand, publisher of The Sangai Express Nishikanta Singh Sapam, ISTV News Editor in chief Brozendra Ningomba and Manipur Zoological Garden Director Gaithaolu Thaimei as presidium members.
Speaking at the event, Nishikanta Singh Sapam said that  over the course of time, Sangai has become very very close to his heart.
He explained that the name Sangai became quite close to his heart after he began his business in print media and narrated that he started Imphal Free Press with an aim to establish a well-known local daily.
After some time, there were some issues and Imphal Free Press split and Manipur Free Press was published. However, it led to many problems, as well as created confusion among the people.
Finally the name The Sangai Express was chosen based on the feedback from the people and the paper has been published under the same name till date, Nishikanta said, conveying that the name Sangai Express was not chosen by him but by the people.
He continued that with time, he became quite attached with the name Sangai which resulted in the opening of The Sangai Continental (having the name Sangai).
The hotel has been operating successfully and now the name Sangai has become quite personal, Nishikanta conveyed.
He narrated that one of his colleagues once came to the hotel and the same colleague proposed to him to do something regarding the condition of the people who are tasked with guiding the tourists at Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Nishikanta explained that he consulted Editor Khogendra Khomdram and some others and finally took up the task of providing monthly financial assistance to two guides at the park.
This further gave rise to the desire to adopt and look after the condition of the Sangai which are being kept at Sangai Conservation and Breeding Centre, Langol, he said  and expressed gratitude to the authorities concerned for allowing the paper to adopt the Sangai.
Nishikanta said that the people should be proud of the Sangai and the said animal can be regarded as the life of the people of Manipur.
It is the duty of all the people to protect and conserve Sangai, he added.
Speaking at the event, K Angami said that the event is a very significant one and lauded The Sangai Express for its initiative towards the Manipur Forest Department, specially Manipur Zoological Garden.
He mentioned that the most pressing concern is analysing how much has been done for protecting and conserving the wildlife, specially Sangai.
On the other hand, DJN Anand said that wildlife and man are inseparable and the two have always maintained a close relationship even in mythologies.
The Indian Government has undertaken many works to protect and conserve wildlife but the Government alone cannot succeed in this venture. It will require the people to come out and do their part to conserve the National natural heritage, he added.
When compared to Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Rhino etc, the effort to conserve the Sangai can be termed as very successful, he said. However, it is disappointing to find that not many know about the Sangai outside Manipur. This is where media plays a big role as it needs to disseminate information about the Sangai to the whole country and outside.
He continued that Keibul Lamjao National Park was included in the list submitted to UNESCO for declaration as a heritage site and it is believed that the park will be declared a world heritage site within the next one or two years.
The Central Government recognised the significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in 2001 and there has been many success stories since then. Today's event is one such success for the publisher of The Sangai Express, Nishikanta Singh Sapam, he added.
Speaking at the function, Brozendra Ningomba said that there are many successful entrepreneurs, businessmen and Government officials in the State but none have done what Nishikanta has done today.
It is laudable that The Sangai Express has taken up the herculean task of adopting the Sangai, just a few months after it took responsibility of providing monthly financial assistance to two guides at the Keibul Lamjao National park.
On the other hand, Gaithaolu Thaimei said that this is the first time the zoo has received such an assistance under CSR.
She explained that many wild birds and animals are kept at the zoo while captive breeding programme of Nongin and Sangai are being carried out at Langol.
Adopting the wildlife is the most positive form of CSR, she said, adding that the Government grants income tax deduction for entities indulging in such CSR, under the Income Tax Act 1961.
She also explained that other CSR methods include construction of zoo enclosures, creating children parks, installing facilities for the comfort of the visitors, installing signages, providing battery powered vehicles, organising training and awareness etc.
She continued that the condition of the zoo has improved significantly and now, instead of steel bars and cemented floors, the zoo boasts enclosure greatly similar to the natural habitats of the animals and further explained that animals can be kept at the zoo only through the captive breeding programme or zoo exchange programme.
Towards the end of the event, Nishikanta Singh Sapam handed over a cheque to K Angami and later, he personally went on an inspection trip to Manipur Zoological Garden and Sangai second home.
It may be mentioned that there are currently 14 (7 males and 7 females) Sangais at the Sangai Conservation and Breeding Centre which was established in 1990.
The Sangai, which is classified as endangered in the Red List of the IUCN, is also covered under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.