Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary

Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location in Manipur, India
Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
Interactive map of Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary
LocationTamenglong district and Jiribam district, Manipur, India
Nearest cityJiribam
Coordinates24°50′45″N 93°17′29″E / 24.8458°N 93.2913°E / 24.8458; 93.2913
Area167.34 km2 (64.61 sq mi)
DesignationWildlife sanctuary
Governing bodyForest Department, Government of Manipur

Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in western Manipur, India. It lies between the Jiri and Makru rivers, close to the Assam–Manipur border, and spans parts of Tamenglong district and Jiribam district. The sanctuary contains tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and is recognised in conservation listings for its ecological importance.[1][2]

History & Status

The Government of Manipur issued an initial notification proposing the sanctuary on 22 September 1997. It is officially listed as a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Manipur and appears in several Indian government sources and official protected area lists.[3][4]

Despite its official status, reports indicate that on-ground protection, management, and enforcement within the sanctuary remain limited. Local news and civil society sources note that there is minimal infrastructure, limited forest staff presence, and few measures to actively protect wildlife and habitat in practice.[5][6][7] [8]

Geography and ecology

Jiri-Makru lies in the West Manipur Hills between the Jiri and Makru rivers, both part of the Barak river system. The forested terrain includes tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetation, with an elevation ranging from roughly 80 to 500 metres.[9]

Flora and fauna

The sanctuary is listed as an important habitat for forest birds and several mammal species typical of the Manipur hills. The sanctuary also hosts the rare Hoolock gibbon.[10] The sanctuary has a highforest‑bird potential, though comprehensive species‑level bird surveys remain lacking. [11] Other mammals include Asiatic black bear, Leopard, Sambar deer, Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Gaur, Serow, wild pig, civets, pangolin, and species of small carnivores including linsangs, jungle cats, martens, slow loris and hog badger. [12][13]

Conservation and local issues

Local communities and civil society groups have raised concerns regarding the need to balance forest protection with customary land-use rights. Regional news reports have highlighted calls for improved conservation measures and clearer administrative processes relating to Jiri-Makru and neighbouring protected areas.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jiri - Makru Wildlife Sanctuary, Manipur (Gazette notification)" (PDF). Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Jiri - Makru Factsheet". Key Biodiversity Areas. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Forest Department - About Us". Forest Department, Government of Manipur. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Jiri - Makru Wildlife Sanctuary, Manipur (Gazette notification)" (PDF). Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Bunning, Zeilad and Jiri-Makru: Wildlife sanctuaries, a term only on paper". The Sangai Express. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Why Phoklong villagers are opposing declaration of Jiri Makru as wildlife sanctuary". 25 April 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Tamenglong residents rally for protection of indigenous land". Northeast Today. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  8. ^ "Bunning, Zeilad and Jiri‑Makru Wildlife sanctuaries, a term only on paper". The Sangai Express. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Jiri - Makru Factsheet". Key Biodiversity Areas. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  10. ^ Choudhury, A.U. (2006). "The Distribution and Status of Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in North East India" (PDF). Primate Conservation. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Jiri - Makru Wildlife Sanctuary (site factsheet)". Key Biodiversity Areas. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  12. ^ "Jiri - Makru Wildlife Sanctuary (site factsheet)". Key Biodiversity Areas. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  13. ^ "A Road To Nowhere". Sanctuary Asia / Sanctuary Nature Foundation. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  14. ^ "Tamenglong residents rally for protection of indigenous land". Northeast Today. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
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