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.
| [UPSC 2017] Consider the following pairs : Traditions Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis 2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds 3. Wari-Warkari — Santhals Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 and 3 only (c)1 and 3 only (d) None of the above |
