Natural Heritage of Manipur and Tripura

Complete Set of 4 nos of postage stamps on the “Indepex–Asiana 2000” 14^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Calcutta (1^st Issue) : Natural Heritage of Manipur and Tripura : Siroi Lily, Sangai Deer, Wild Guava and Slow Loris :

Issued by India

Issued on Mar 31, 2000

Credits :
Stamps : Ramesh Sukumar
Miniature Sheet & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Five Colour

Denomination : 300, 300, 300, 1500 Paise

Overall size : 2.9 X 3.9 Cms.

Printing size : 2.55 X 3.6 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 1 Million each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

About : 

• Indepex–Asiana 2000 is the 14^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition being organised by the Department of Posts, Government of India in co-operation with the Philatelic Congress of India and under the patronage of Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) and the recognition of Federation of International de Philatelie (FIP). It will be hosted at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Calcutta from 7^th to 12^th December, 2000. Indepex Asiana 2000 is the second Asian International Philatelic Exhibition, hosted by India. It holds a special place in international philately, as it commemorates 50 years of the Republic of India, and also the new millennium. It is being planned in a spectacular way with all the conveniences and facilities that go with such exhibitions. It will give an opportunity to the Asia and Pacific philatelic community to display their collections to a discerning international audience.
• Calcutta, the host city of the exhibition, is one among the four major metropolitan centres of India and the capital city of the state of West Bengal. It is a fascinating city, vibrating with life and having a population of over 10 million. The venue of the exhibition will be the Netaji Indoor Stadium, Calcutta, an airconditioned indoor stadium-cum-amphitheater which is a proud landmark of the city. The logo of Indepex-Asiana 2000, designed by Shri Sankha Samanta encaptures the first sunrise at the dawn of the millennium, as witnessed at Katchal, an island in the Nicobar group of islands, India. The sun is seen as rising from the ocean waves. The nine rays emanating from the sun symbolises the ‘navaras’ or the nine moods described by Bharata, an ancient Indian aesthetician, in his writings of Natyashastra (200 BC-200 AD). The drawing of the waves is in the form of an ‘alpana’ which is a decorative and ceremonial form of traditional folk art in West Bengal. The logo design may also be seen as a blossoming of flower, symbolising the joy of a new beginning, the exploration of the magical world of stamps.
• On the occasion the Department of Posts is issuing a set of 4 stamps on the flora and fauna of Manipur and Tripura with the objective of focussing public attention on the rich biodiversity of North–East India.
  • Siroi Lily
    • Siroi Lily (Lilium macklinae), an Iris species, is a beautiful lily found only in the upper reaches of Sirohi hill ranges of Manipur. The plant grows in the Sirohi Kasom area of the hills on the windward side and eastern flank. It starts flowering with the advent of spring and continues to flower for about two months.
  • Sangai Deer
    • Sangai Deer (Cervus eldi eldi) or brow antlered deer is a sub-species of the deer available only in Manipur. The deer is distinctive for its peculiar bow shaped antler, unique body structure and its elegant movement, which is often described as dancing. At one time it was considered to have become extinct. Systematic efforts to conserve the species started from 1950 onwards and has succeeded in arresting the declining trend in the population of Sangais. Today the Keibul Lamjao National Park abounds with more than 150 Sangais, an appreciable progress from the 14 heads counted in 1974.
  • Wild Guava
    • Wild Guava (Psidium guineense) is a rare plant of India found only in Tripura. The fruit of wild guava is edible but it is smaller in size than the guava and sour in taste. The plant is of small bushy type but if protected attains the size of a small tree. Constant depletion due the firewood collection is endangering this plant, and special protection is now under consideration.
  • Slow Loris
    • Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang) is a round-headed, round-eyed lemur found in Tripura and adjoining parts of North–East India. Three geographical races are known, in India. Very distinctive is a brown stripe, marking the middle line of its back and terminating on the crown; distinctive also are the brown circles round its lustrous, owl-like eyes. The Slow Loris is believed to spend the day in sleep waking at dusk to hunt for food.
• Text : Based on material supplied by sponsors.