Why In The News?

The Sangai Festival in Manipur opened amid protests by IDPs and NGOs, lowering attendance. Critics say the government should prioritise resolving the Kuki-Zo–Meitei ethnic conflict and resettling displaced people before holding tourism events after the May 2023 violence.

1) About Sangai Festival:

• Celebration Period: Manipur Sangai Festival is held every year from 21-30 November.
• Objective: The festival aims to showcase Manipur as a world-class tourism destination.
• Name Origin: It is named after the State animal – the Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur.
• Beginning: The festival started in 2010.
• Theme: The theme for this year is “Festival of Oneness.”
• Focus Areas: It highlights Manipur’s tourism potential in Arts & Culture, Handloom, Handicrafts, Indigenous Sports, Cuisine, and Music.

2) About Sangai Deer:

General Information:

• Scientific Name: Rucervus eldii
• Common Names: Sangai, Brow-antlered Deer, Dancing Deer
• Population: About 260 (Forest Department census, 2016).
• Habitat: Exclusively in Keibul Lamjao National Park, located on phumdi in Loktak Lake, Bishnupur district.

Characteristics:

• Medium-sized deer with distinctive long brow antlers forming the main beam.
• Antlers appear to grow from the eyebrow, giving the name brow-antlered deer.
• Possesses a dark reddish-brown winter coat that becomes paler in summer.
• Walks with mincing hops on floating phumdi, hence called the Dancing Deer.

Status:

• State Animal of Manipur.
• Listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Conservation Issues:

• Threatened by degenerating phumdi habitat due to continuous inundation from the artificial reservoir.
• Invasion of non-native plants like Paragrass.
• Risks from diseases, inbreeding depression, and poaching.

3) Manipur Crisis:

About the Violence:

• Violence occurred between Kuki tribe and Meitei community across multiple regions of Manipur.
• The Imphal Valley (10% of land) is dominated by Meiteis (64% of population) and elects 40 of 60 MLAs.
• The hills (90% of land) are inhabited by 35%+ recognised tribes, electing 20 MLAs.
• Unrest began in February 2023 after an eviction drive seen as targeting a tribal group.

Meitei Demand for ST Status:

• Supported by the Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) since 2012.
• Claim that Meiteis were recognised as a tribe before the 1949 merger with India.
• Demand ST status to preserve land, culture, language, and ancestral identity.
• Argue they face marginalisation and cite population decline from 59% (1951) to 44% (2011).

Why Tribal Groups Oppose ST Status for Meiteis:

• Tribals argue Meiteis already hold demographic, political, and economic advantages.
• Fear ST status will allow Meiteis to acquire land in the hills, reducing tribal land rights.
• Meitei dominance includes:
  • Manipuri language in the Eighth Schedule
  • Sections already under SC/OBC categories
• Tribes believe Meitei claims of cultural vulnerability are self-defeating.

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