Imphal, April 9: A research project will provide the scientific intervention needed to preserve Manipur' Sangai, the brow antlered deer that is the world's most threatened deer species.

A two-day national workshop, in which scientists and wildlife conservation experts from various parts of the country will participate, will thrash out a research project for sustainable development of Keibul Lamjao, the only remaining natural habitat of the Sangai, the state animal.

The workshop, being organised by the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development, Imphal, will begin on April 16 at the institute complex at Takyelpat, 3km from Imphal.

"We will bring leading scientists of the country, including scientists from Bombay Natural History Museum, Wildlife Institute of India and Indian Institute of Forest Management, Delhi University. During the two-day workshop we shall endeavour to have an understanding of the eco-system of the Loktak lake and develop a research project for the sustainable development of the Sangai habitat and conservation of the deer," Dinabandhu Sahoo, the director of the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development, said.

The deer is surviving on the last remaining natural habitat at Keibul Lamjao wildlife sanctuary, which floats on the Loktak lake in Bishnupur district, 45km from Imphal.

The last census carried out in 2013 put the Sangai population at the sanctuary at 204.

Wildlife experts in Manipur are apprehensive about the future of the deer, as the eco-system of the lake is deteriorating.

The national workshop is a follow-up of a campaign launched by the Imphal institute during a two-day national bio-resources and sustainable development summit at the institute in February this year.

Sahoo, who took over as the director of the institute in October last year, initiated the Save Sangai campaign, realising the importance of Loktak lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast.

"The lake area is shrinking and there is a need for scientific intervention," the director said.

During the two-day workshop, Sahoo will first take the scientists to Loktak lake and the Sangai sanctuary to have a feel of the area's eco-system.

"They will speak to the local residents to understand their dependence on the lake and also their problems so that their importance in sustainable development of the lake and the deer habitat is reflected in the development of the research project," the director said.

Acknowledging the role of NGOs in preserving nature, the institute has decided to involve the local NGOs in the workshop.