Environmentalist Dr Khangembam Shamungou Singh urges Manipur Science Congress to address the misnaming of Sangai as Thamin in Wildlife Act.
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CACHIPUR — Environmentalist Dr. Khangembam Shamungou Singh expressed serious concern over the naming of the state animal (Brow-antlered deer, locally known as 'Sangai') as 'Thamin', a Schedule I mammal species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 of the country, in place of 'Sangai'.
"It would be encouraging if the ongoing Manipur Science Congress takes a step in this regard as a recommendation," said Dr. Shamungou, former zoology head of DM College of Science. "The Sangai is a state animal which is a critically endangered deer species (Rucervus eldii eldii) and protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972."
However, it was named as Thamin under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 of the country. But the Thamin is an endangered species of deer endemic to South and Southeast Asia, he added.
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“Are they protecting or conserving 'Thamin' instead of our 'Sangai'?” Dr. Shamungou argued while making a presentation on the biodiversity of Manipur, highlighting the past and present biodiversity scenarios of the state, apart from questioning for a potential apprehensive future, during the plenary session of the ongoing Manipur Science Congress 2025 that began at the Manipur University, Canchipur premises, in Imphal on December 20.
On the other hand, former Vice Chancellor of DM University, Prof. N Rajmuhon, also made a presentation on how science and technology will revolutionise the 21st century, while Director T Brajakumar of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC) delivered an invited talk on the present trend of climate change impact, adaptation and its mitigation strategies in the Manipur context.
Nearly 300 delegates from different institutions, including those from outside the state, are taking part in the Manipur Science Congress 2025.
It may be mentioned that the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, formally inaugurated the 3-day Science Congress organised by Manipur University in collaboration with the Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC) and Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC) on the theme ‘Science, Innovation and Climate Change’.
Vice Chancellor Prof. N Lokendra Singh of Manipur University and Secretary (Science and Technology) and Member Secretary (MASTEC) Kengoo Zuringla, and Chingakham Sachi of Science and Technology also attended the inaugural function.
Felicitation of award sponsors and distribution of three key awards, and release of a 375-page congress souvenir and congress proceeding book marked the important highlights of the inaugural session.