In a pioneering effort to protect one of the world’s most trafficked mammals, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has joined forces with the Senapati District Olympic Association of Manipur (SDOAM) and the Manipur Forest Department to launch the first-ever “Pangolin Cup 2025.” The football tournament, scheduled from March 17-22 at Astro Turf, features 16 teams from across the Senapati district and is designed to raise mass awareness about pangolin conservation and combat illegal wildlife trade. Backed by the Pangolin Crisis Fund under the Wildlife Conservation Network, this initiative marks a significant step toward mobilising communities for wildlife protection.
The Pangolin Cup is part of WTI’s ‘Countering Pangolin Trafficking’ project, which addresses the illegal trade of pangolins in Manipur and Nagaland. By harnessing the universal appeal of football, WTI aims to engage local youth, leaders, and community members in Senapati District, encouraging them to become active stakeholders in wildlife protection and to strengthen their connection with nature. The tournament is a creative approach to sensitising the public about the urgent need to protect pangolins, whose scales and meat are highly sought after, making them the most trafficked mammals in the world.
Manipur’s proximity to the Indo-Myanmar border makes the region particularly vulnerable to illegal wildlife trade, further highlighting the need for proactive conservation measures. By promoting initiatives such as the Pangolin Cup, local communities are given a platform to take pride in safeguarding their natural heritage, protecting critical habitats, and ensuring a secure future for pangolins in the wild.
Shanngam S, IFS, DFO Senapati Division, emphasized the importance of prioritising wildlife conservation. “I request all civil society organisations to prioritise wildlife conservation, making it a mandated concern. It is crucial that we instill respect for wildlife in both present and future generations. I am deeply saddened that the younger generation must bear the consequences of our past actions, and I believe it is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve what remains of our forests,” he said.
Mamoni Doley, IAS, DC, Senapati, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Being at the top of the hierarchy, civil society organisations (CSOs) must remember that younger generations, especially students, look up to us. If we treat hunting as a sport, they will follow suit. This is why collective action is essential—CSOs as leaders and students as changemakers. It is an honour for our district to host the first-ever ‘Pangolin Cup’ in the state, an event that I hope will inspire similar initiatives across other regions. Football is the perfect way to bring people together, and this tournament is a brilliant step toward uniting communities for conservation.”
Ng. Lohro, President of the United Naga Council, highlighted the platform’s role in raising awareness of the urgency and importance of wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystem conservation, and urged communities to support the protection of the critically endangered Chinese pangolin. Panjit Basumatari, Manager CBRC, Arunachal Pradesh at WTI, expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries and extended best wishes to the participating teams, stressing the urgent need for community-led conservation to protect the critically endangered Chinese pangolin found in the region.
The Pangolin Cup 2025 stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and innovative approaches to conservation, uniting diverse stakeholders in the fight against illegal wildlife trade and paving the way for a more secure future for pangolins in Manipur.
