Himalayan newts vanishing from Manipur as habitats disappear

Imphal: Himalayan newts are dying out in Manipur. Known as Lengva in the Tangkhul Naga dialect and Chum in Meitei, the scientific species Tylototriton verrucosus faces a grim future. Deforestation, erratic rainfall, and shrinking marshlands across Ukhrul district have left the animals struggling. They thrive in cool forests and rocky ponds but need stable conditions to survive.

The amphibians hibernate through winter. They emerge in May and June for the first monsoon rains. Residents once heard their distinct mating calls throughout Kazar, Muiyi, Pahei, Tuira, Halang, Shirui, and Shimtang. Now, the sound is fading. Zingthanla Zimik, a 75-year-old resident, says these creatures were common just twenty years ago. He blames the decline on rapid infrastructure growth. Roads and buildings continue to tear through the damp, vegetated ground they call home.

Ersi Jajo, an associate professor at Pettigrew College, monitors the species closely. She warns that rising local temperatures disrupt their cold-blooded biology. Worse, some people still hunt them for unproven medical reasons. Jajo noted, "there is still no formal scientific study establishing the exact causes of the decline." Despite lacking any proof, people continue to eat the newts to treat cancer or seek palliative relief. Advocates now demand urgent research and immediate protection for the remaining wetlands to prevent the salamanders from going extinct.