Challenges in the conservation of endangered Rucervus eldii eldii McClelland in Keibul Lamjao National Park and Pumlen pat: an analysis of sediment and water quality of the floating natural habitats in the Indo Burma hotspot.

Abstract

As a part of the monitoring practice of the lone natural habitat of the endemic and endangered Rucervus eldii eldii McClelland or Sangai, the paper reports sediment and water characteristics of Keibul Lamjao National Park-the only floating national park of the world in Manipur, Indo Burma hotspot. The water analysis showed low pH (5.69 ± 0.16), high electrical conductivity (342 ± 13.01 μS m-1), high turbidity (33.2 ± 9.407 NTU), and high phosphate concentrations (0.92 ± 0.11mg L-1) during the study period. The water quality index values calculated indicate that the park water during post-monsoon season is unfit for drinking. Thus, the degrading water quality poses a serious risk to the health of the deer and other species in the park. At present, Sangai in its natural habitat is threatened by pollution, encroachment, phoomdi thickness reduction, and inbreeding depression. To address the problem of inbreeding, Pumlen pat is considered as a second suitable natural habitat for the deer reintroduction program. During the study, water characteristics of the wetland showed similar characteristics as KLNP, i.e., low pH (5.86 ± 0.30), high electrical conductivity (377.6 ± 5.55 μS m-1), high turbidity (32.36 ± 4.91 NTU), and high phosphate concentrations (0.79 ± 0.14mg L-1). Likewise, sediments showed high TP accumulation that ranged from 197.03 ± 0.75 to 332.88 ± 0.99mgkg-1 for KLNP and 245.18 ± 0.85 to 351.48 ± 0.71mgkg-1 for Pumlen pat, respectively. Both, the lone natural habitat and the proposed habitat showed deteriorating water quality. As such, continuous monitoring of KLNP and Pumlen pat water and sediment quality should be a priority during the management practices to protect the endangered deer and health of the habitats for long-term conservation.