Captive breeding bid at Sipahijala gets success
From Our Correspondent
Agartala: Ten-year old Rashmi has given birth of another child brining cheers all over Sipahijala wildlife sanctuary.
This is the fifth case in the Sipahijala breeding centre set up at the behest of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) aimed at captive breeding of four endangered species- clouded leopard, binturong, pigtailed macaque and spectacles monkey.
On June 6, Rashmi, a clouded leopard gave birth of her first child at captive breeding centre at Sipahijala wildlife sanctuary. “Both mother and her child are okay at the captive breeding centre”, said Dr. Ajit Bhowmik, the Dy Conservator of Forest.
Dr, Bhomik, who also holds the charge of Director of Leopard National Park, said sex determination of the newly-born baby of the clouded leopard would be done very shortly. As of now, three pairs clouded leopards are at the captive breeding centre.
It takes around six months for a clouded leopard to become adult. Normally, life span of a clouded leopard is of 12-15 years but there was a precedent- one clouded leopard had lived for 28 years, according to experts.
Not only clouded leopard, the captive breeding centre scripted success om breeding of spectacle monkey as well as hornebill. “Now, we are on the move to achieve successful breeding of binturong, a rare species in the county. To make it possible, one male binturong has been brought from Aizwal to Sipahijala captive breeding centre”, he said.
Before going for captive breeding, the authority will have to take all precautionary measures like physical fitness, genetic quality and blood test. “After collecting all necessary samples, we will have to send to Indian Veterinary Research Centre (IVRC) at Rae Bareli for testing before moving forward for captive breeding”, he said.
Dr. Bhomik further said, the Sipahijala Wildlie Sanctuary had received Rs. 3.90 crore from the CZA for undertaking captive breeding of four endangered species of animals. “This year, we will send a proposal of Rs. 1.85 crore for the purpose and hopefully the amount will be released to us”, he said.
Women entrepreneurs given laptops, money
Imphal: To encourage women , Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh distributed laptops to successful women entrepreneurs. Grants were also given to 22 groups under Handloom Expert Development Approach Scheme and 17 laptops given to 17 handloom clusters in a function held at MFDC hall here on Monday. The grant given ranged from Rs 3.20 lakh to 5.00 lakh. Commerce and Industries officials said the scheme was taken up by the government to help women and groups managed exclusively by women. Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh lauded the women entrepreneurs for their contribution to the economy and overall growth of the society. (UNI)
Tremor shakes northeast India, Bangladesh
Agartala: An earthquake of moderate intensity Monday rocked parts of northeast India and Bangladesh, an official said here. No loss of life or damage to property was reported. An India Meteorological Department official told IANS that the quake, occurring at 9.14 in the morning, measured 4.2 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was in western Tripura on the border with Bangladesh. Met department officials said this is the third quake to rock the same region of northeast India, bordering Bangladesh, since June 3. According to officials of state disaster management authority, no loss of life or damage to property was reported from anywhere in Tripura and adjoining northeast region of India. (IANS)
Import of chicken to be banned
Imphal: Import of chicken from other states to Manipur will be banned by All Manipur Poultry Farmers and Traders Association. Secretary of the association K Achouba said, a committee has also been formed to implement the decision. Poultry farming in the state has been affected by import of chicken he said. There is also a huge gap in prices of the chicken imported as they are of different qualities resulting in differences in sale of chicken to the masses. Due to the confusion created by import of bad quality chicken at a low price local poultry farmers have stopped their business. There is shortage of poultry products in the state now and price is escalating the association said. To stop unfair trade and import of bad quality poultry products import will be banned it was announced. (UNI)
Man absconds after rape
Imphal: In the second such incident in eight days, a man allegedly raped his niece at an interior village in Manipur’s Imphal East district, police sources said today. A complaint was lodged on Sunday about the 50-year-old man Kangujam Loken allegedly raping his 11-year-old niece taking advantage that the family of the victim was working in the fields, at Phaknung village, about 25 km from here under Lamlai police station on July 5, the sources said. The alleged rapist, who was a father of two children, was absconding, the sources said. The girl, a student of class five in a local school was sent for medical check up at the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital, they said. Enraged local people demanded that the man be handed over to them after immediate arrest. On July 1, a 40-year-old man Irom Bobo allegedly raped his 12-year old niece at Karaong Tharoijam Leikai area under Patsoi police station in Imphal West district. He was arrested. (PTI)