A dedicated conservation and breeding centre for the Nongin (Mrs. Hume’s pheasant), the state bird of Manipur, located in the Shirui village of Ukhrul district, Manipur is all set to completion and inauguration.
A team led by Arun R S (IFS) Conservator of Forests, Northern Circle, Forest Department, Government of Manipur along with Laishram Gitla, DFO Ukhrul visited and inspected the ongoing projects on Wednesday.
Arun RS stated that “we have constructed the dome part, the water tank, the toilet, the gate and fencing. The work is almost completed. We are yet to complete the approach broad and the retaining wall. The project is being taken up under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH) and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds. And we are going to inaugurate the project soon”.
The conservation and breeding facility was established in Shirui village to protect the species in its natural habitat and for more propagation. The Forest Department Government of Manipur aims to conserve the endangered Hume’s pheasant from threats like habitat destruction and illegal hunting through these initiatives.
Mention may be made that G.A. Shimray and M. Vaca of Shirui village donated six hectares of land for the project. The foundation stone for the project was laid on 3 April 2018.
