Even though Manipur is a tiny state in the North Eastern Fringes of India, she is exceedingly rich in natural resources with a vast and varied fauna heritage. This region is included in the same Zoological province as the forest region of the Himalayas with the same gradation from tropical to temperate vegetation. The distribution and character of animal life is also similar, but in addition distinctly Malayan type fauna is traceable all through the province with an intermingling of peculiar forms. This results in the diversity and peculiarity of the wildlife found in Manipur.

Many of the species of animals found in Manipur are endemic, foremost among them being the Sangai or the Brow Antlered Deer, Cervus Eldi Eldi, which in its unique Wetland ecosystem is restricted to Manipur only. The other two related species have been reported from Myanmar and Thailand. The only ape found in India, the Hoolock Gibbon locally known as Yongmu, commonly occurs in all the five hill districts of Manipur. Similarly, the Slow Loris, the Stump Tailed Macaque, the Pig-Tailed Macaque are the other rare primates that occur in the forests of Manipur. Amongst the carnivores the Clouded Leopard and the Golden Cat are the rare, nocturnal animals found in Manipur. Spectacular big cats, the tiger and the leopard, still make a quiet living in the remote parts of the state. Of the two, the leopards are more common, whereas tigers are seldom reported now. The gigantic land animal, the elephant, makes seasonal migration into the State in the Indo-Myanmar border areas, along the Taret river course and also the western parts from Assam.

The Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) is another schedule I animal that commonly occurs all over the hills of Manipur. The rare and elusive Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos Malyanus) is restricted to the unique forests in the Indo-Myanmar border areas and inhabits the Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary of Manipur. This animal is rarely found in India and a recent report in India Today magazine describes on such sighting in Arunachal Pradesh. Though the Malayan Sun bear resembles a Black Bear, it is smaller in size and can climb trees with the agility of a monkey.

If one were to take a tour of New Samtal, a small town in the Indo-Myanmar border areas, specially during the night, once can see herds of Bison, as well as of Sambhar, along the road. The Barking Deer, the commonest Cervus in Manipur prefers the hilly areas while the Hog Deer, another deer found the North-East India can be sighted at Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur. Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) is another rarity in the wilderness of Manipur. The animal chooses to live in the most inhospitable area for man, but finds itself at ease on the steep slopes of rocky mountains in Tamenglong and Senapati Districts and Keilam hill ranges of Churachandpur District.

The true badgers are not found in Asia. However, the Hog badgers and Ferret Badgers are the rarest South East Asian representatives. They are widely distributed in the hills of Manipur. Of the two, the Hog Badgers known as Nungok are more common in Manipur. The elusive lesser carnivore - the Ferret Badgers - are seldom sighted owing to its nocturnal mode of life, as well as its small population in the hills. The Pangolins, Bear Cats, Spotted Linsangs are the lesser schedule-I animals of Manipur,lesser when it comes to size alone. The Spotted Linsang found in the Barak watershed is very agile and quite beautiful to look at. And so is the Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten. The Pangolins are less commonly encountered in the Indo-Myanmar border areas and the Binturongs or Bear Cats though seldom sighted would be found in the forests of Senapati District.

Birds, by their very being, take our imagination of a flight. Manipur should be proud of her rich avi-Fauna. All the members of phasinidae are colorful but Mrs. Hume‘s barred back Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) and Blyth‘s Tragopan found in Manipur are spectacular and stand out from the rest of the group. The Khaleej Pheasant found in Manipur is a rich mixture of steely black and white and is definitely quite elegant. The Burmese peafowls and jungle fowls are the other long feathered pheasants found in Manipur.

It is quite unfortunate that a large number of birds and animals have become extinct in Manipur that too, in the recent past. The Javan Rhinoceros was seen roaming along the Khuga river valley in Churachandpur district as late as the beginning of 20th century, but now it is extinct from Manipur and hence from India. The wild Ox of Myanmar (Bantering) know as ‘Santhou‘ in Manipuri was last seen thirty years ago. In all probability these animals have vanished from the Manipur soil forever. The Hoolock Gibbon, Stump Tailed macaques, Slow Loris, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Marbled Cat, Banturong, Spotted Linsang, Malayan Sun Bear, Smooth Indian Otter, Hog Badger, Malayan Gaint Squirrel, the Serow (Sabeng) and most other denizens of forest are making a precarious existence in the forests of Manipur, and all of them are on the verge of extinction. Among the birds, the White Wood Duck, Pink Headed Duck, Grey-Leg Goose, Mallard, Brahminy Duck, Clucking-teal, Plover, Hooded Crane, Brown Headed gull, Avocat White ibis, Glossy Ibis, Indian Shag, Open Bill stork, Black Necked Stork, and a host of others have become extremely rare, and many of them are probably extinct from the State.

The reasons for the dwindling wildlife are not far to seek. An explosion of human population with diverse and intense human activities have had far reaching effects on Wildlife. Rapid deforestation resulting in habitat destruction coupled with indiscriminate hunting of birds and animals have threatened many species with extinction. In the hills, where people pride themselves as traditional hunters, it would be a pity soon enough if they are left with no animal to hunt at all. It needs to be admitted that messages of conservation are yet to reach the interior hills of Manipur, and even so, only the economic development of the people would enable them to overcome the compulsion of over exploiting the living natural resources of the State.

In order to prevent the destruction of Wildlife in the State, as early as 1931, Captain CLW harvey, the then President of Manipur State Darbar promulgated the Game Rules of Manipur. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was introduced in Manipur State from the 15th May, 1973, thereby offering legal protection to all forms of wildlife in the state. In accordance with the advice of the Wildlife Advisory Board, the Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroishenba, at the Western hill side of Imphal, was established on 2 October 1976 where captive breeding of rare and endemic species are being under taken. The Manipur Zoological Garden, as of today, is the jewel box of rare animals some of which are found only in this part of the country.

Information of the Wildlife of Manipur is incomplete without a specific reference to the nominate species of the Elds‘ deer, locally known as Sangai (Cervus Eldi Eldi, Mc. Clelland, 1842). Once believed to extinct, this raremost cervid was rediscovered in the year 1953. The unique habitat of this most threatened cervid in the world constitute mostly of floating mats of vegetation (known locally as phum/phumdi) on Loktak Lake. The habitat of this deer comprising of 40 sq.km. was declared as a National Park in the year 1977. Though not a spectacular increase, the population from about 14 heads in 1974, has grown to 147 individuals in 1997. In this fragile eco-system, this endemic deer still faces the danger of extinction. All our efforts are being made by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department with the active co-operation of local people to save this race of deer.

The most deciduous forests of the Indo-Myanmar border areas sustain rare flora and fauna. Of late, in one year, six species of plants new to India and two species new to science were described from these forests and there are still many more plants and animals yet to be identified and named. An area of 184 sq. kms. of these for are given legal protection of Wildlife Sanctuary and with proper management, there is hope that these rich forests with their denizens could be preserved for posterity. This could therefore be possible only with the active co-operation of the local people.

The Shiroy Kasom hill range, the habitat of the endemic ground lily,Siroy lilly (Lilium macklinease) and also the habitat of Mrs. Hume‘s barredback pheasant and Blyth‘s tragopan are now proposed to be declared as a National Park. The Keilam hill ranges that host extremely rare species of animals particularly Horn Bills has been declared as a Sanctuary. Similarly Zeliad lake also has been initially notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary. It is hoped that they will be finally declared very soon.

The Dzuko valley is yet another region presenting a rich multitude of flora and fauna in Manipur. Some areas of this valley still remain undisturbed by human activities and it is worth while to turn this vast valley in a Biosphere Reserve so that its splendid genetic diversity could be preserved for posterity. Every year a ‘Wild Life Week‘ is observed to highlight the importance Wildlife Conservation and emphasize on the need to take immense steps for the preservation of our natural resources. As a part of the observation of the Week, essay writing competitions, painting, and pencil sketch competitions are held for the students in the State. Film shows on Wildlife would be screened at different places in all the seven days of the week. Broadcasts on related topics from knowledgeable persons are expected to bring about the problem and prospect of Wildlife conservation in Manipur. The schools and colleges can generate a great deal of interest in Wildlife topics by arranging meetings, debating competitions, quiz programs, etc. Similarly, if all the non government agencies which are active in the field of socio-economic development of the state were to take up the cause of wildlife much could be achieved. The Forest Department would once again appeal to one and all to contribute whole-heartedly in the noble task of conservation of Wildlife? Grow Trees for Prosperity, Preserve Forest and Wildlife‘.