Fauna
The various cultural, religious and traditional beliefs and rites of ancient Manipur were associated with the love and care of wildlife leading to their conservation. Examples include- a prince of Luwang clan transformed himself into Sangai (Manipur Brow antlered deer), a village girl being unable to bear the torture of her step mother became hornbill, every clan has a kind of fish or vegetable 'not to be tasted or eaten', every village maintained a sacred grove as a site of worshiping god and/or goddess called Umanglai/Umanglairembi; a variety of fish (Channa sp.), cock and even bull were released on the New Year or any auspicious day or on the marriage day, recapturing of released animals were forbidden etc. Folksongs like ke-kek-ke mo-mo--- sandrembi Thoraklo Nahum pondren sabige ---, etc were sung and they are related to love and affection of wild denizens.
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Himalayan newt (Lengwa) Tylototriton verrucosus
Source : Dr.N. Thambalshangbi Devi |