Imphal, Oct. 20: The newly established Unesco Club, Manipur, will soon launch a campaign for inclusion of Keibul Lamjao wildlife sanctuary - home to the world's most threatened deer species, sangai, - and other well known places in the state in the list of world's heritage sites.

The club was founded yesterday with Imphal's youth activist Karnajit Kangujam as its director. The club has been constituted under the Confederation of Unesco Clubs and Associations of India.

It has a five-member executive committee and is the second such club in the Northeast after one in Assam.

Announcing the setting up of the club, Karnajit today said it would focus on inclusion of important places of Manipur in the world heritage site list.

"Keibul Lamjao wildlife sanctuary is unique and deserves to be a world heritage site. We will lobby for a place for the sanctuary on the list. We will also do the same for other well-known places of Manipur," Kangujam said.

Covering 40 square km, Keibul Lamjao is the only floating park in the world and an integral part of the 246 square km Loktak lake, which spreads across three districts - Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal.

The lake and the sanctuary aere the main tourist attractions of Manipur. It is also linked to India's struggle for freedom.

Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) had hoisted its flag for the first time on Indian soil at Moirang, which is on the fringe of the lake, during World War II in 1944. Moirang was the INA's headquarters in Manipur.

"We feel it is because of lack of campaigning and efforts that the wildlife sanctuary has still not been included in the world heritage list. We will consult experts and work with them to campaign for its inclusion," Kangujam said.

The club will work closely with the Indian National Commission for Co-operation with Unesco for bringing the benefits of Unesco programmes for the people of Manipur.

It will also facilitate the participation of local youths in international programmes organised by Unesco.

"We will work for bringing Unesco officials to Manipur so that they can see the rich cultural heritage of the state," he said.

Dhirendra Bhatnagar, president of World Federation of Unesco Clubs, Centres and Associations, will open the office of Unesco Club, Manipur, in Imphal on Saturday.