Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in western Manipur, India. It lies between the Jiri and Makru rivers, close to the AssamâÂÂManipur border, and spans parts of Tamenglong district and Jiribam district. The sanctuary contains tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and is recognised in conservation listings for its ecological importance.
The Government of Manipur issued an initial notification proposing the sanctuary on 22 September 1997. It is officially listed as a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Manipur and appears in several Indian government sources and official protected area lists.
Despite its official status, reports indicate that on-ground protection, management, and enforcement within the sanctuary remain limited. Local news and civil society sources note that there is minimal infrastructure, limited forest staff presence, and few measures to actively protect wildlife and habitat in practice.
Jiri-Makru lies in the West Manipur Hills between the Jiri and Makru rivers, both part of the Barak river system. The forested terrain includes tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetation, with an elevation ranging from roughly 80 to 500 metres.
The sanctuary is listed as an important habitat for forest birds and several mammal species typical of the Manipur hills. The sanctuary also hosts the rare Hoolock gibbon. The sanctuary has a highforestâÂÂbird potential, though comprehensive speciesâÂÂlevel bird surveys remain lacking. Other mammals include Asiatic black bear, Leopard, Sambar deer, Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Gaur, Serow, wild pig, civets, pangolin, and species of small carnivores including linsangs, jungle cats, martens, slow loris and hog badger.
Local communities and civil society groups have raised concerns regarding the need to balance forest protection with customary land-use rights. Regional news reports have highlighted calls for improved conservation measures and clearer administrative processes relating to Jiri-Makru and neighbouring protected areas.