SENAPATI, July 7: In a praiseworthy act of grassroots conservation, a Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), a highly endangered species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was successfully rescued and released into the wild in Manipur’s Senapati district. The effort was made possible through a coordinated operation by the Senapati Divisional Forest Department and the Sadim Pukhri Village Authority.
The rescue was initiated following a distress alert from Joseph Kaba, a local farmer and Chairman of Sadim Malingli village, who discovered the pangolin displaced from its natural habitat near the village. Acting swiftly, the Forest Department dispatched a team, accompanied by Dr. Chang L, Veterinary Officer from the District Veterinary Office in Senapati.
After a detailed medical examination confirmed the animal was unharmed and healthy, the pangolin was released into a safe forest zone in line with wildlife protection guidelines.
Joseph Kaba emphasised the need to reduce human-wildlife conflict and urged communities to treat animals with compassion. “We must learn to coexist and protect the voiceless beings of our ecosystem,” he said.
Officials from the Forest Department praised the local community for its swift action and collaborative spirit, noting that such coordination is essential to preserving biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
Sadim Pukhri village, located near the ecologically significant Sadim Lizai Lake, has a strong history of conservation activism. Local initiatives led by the Sadim Lizai Students & Youth Association (SLSYA), in partnership with the village authority, have been instrumental in preserving the region’s natural heritage for more than a decade.
