Fire at Manipur national park

A fire started by unidentified people in Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park has damaged a small portion of it, but none of the rare brow antlered deer to which it is home, have been harmed, forest officials said on Monday.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), L. Mohendro said that the fire was started by unidentified people at about 11:00 am yesterday at different points in the seven square kilometre park in Bishenpur district.

It was brought under control by forest officials with the help of local people at 7:30 pm, he said.

Mohendro said none of the rare deer, which are only found in Manipur, were harmed by the fire.

A senior forest official said the fire was not a major one and damaged portions of the park at Thangbarel, Kchin Achouba, Ungamen and Kachin Achouba Makha covering about 12 acres in all.