Keibul Lamjao National Park

The Keibul Lamjao National Park, known as the world’s only floating park, is located in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, 53 kilometres from Imphal. The islands, which are produced by mats of lush aquatic grass, seem to float on the lake.

The national park’s unique wetland ecology spans area: 40 km2. Three magnificent hills Pabot, Toya, and Chingiao can be found around the national park. Wetlands and rolling hills surround the park. During the rainy season, the hills offer refuge to the area’s wildlife.

The park is located on Eastern India’s biggest freshwater lake. The Loktak Lake has floating platforms known as Phumidis (locally known as Phum) that are inhabited by fishermen. Phumdi thickness ranges from a few cm to two metres. The phumdi swims with 4/5 of its weight beneath the water.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

The Keibul Lamjao National Park, situated on Loktak Lake, is the world’s first floating national park and the only natural home of the ‘Sangai’ (rucervus eldii eldii), Manipur’s dancing deer. Keibul Lamjao National Park falls under the location: Bishnupur District, ‎Manipur‎, India.

Any wildlife lover must see the deer in this fascinating wetland environment. Other species can be viewed, including hog deer, otter, a variety of waterfowl, and migrating birds, which are often visible from November to March. Within the park, the Department of Forest of Manipur maintains two guard towers and two restrooms.

The park is also home to the protected brow-antlered deer (sangai). The sangai is a rare and endangered species. The deer have also inspired Manipuri dancing customs. The sangai was declared extinct in 1951, but since being rediscovered, it has become the main attraction of Keibul Lamjao.

The brow-antlered deer gets its name from the forward antlers that seem to protrude from the forehead. The threat of extinction was significantly decreased when the region was designated as a national park and strong conservation efforts were implemented. The dancing deer is another name for the brow-antlered deer (Sangai). 

The Marbled Cat, Asian Golden Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, and the Malayan Bear have been seen in the park often. There are also a variety of fishes and reptiles such as tortoises and snakes such as vipers and cobras. The official tourist cabin on Sendra Island in Loktak Lake is an excellent choice. Restrooms are also provided near the park in Phubala. Imphal has better accommodation options.

In the national park, there are no food choices. Imphal has a plethora of restaurants serving Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and French food. Keep in mind that the natives regard fish to be vegetarian. So, if you’re searching for only vegetarian meals, make sure you explain your preferences.

Why is the Keibul Lamjao National Park Special?

1. Keibul Lamjao National Park is the world’s only floating national park, situated in Manipur’s Bishnupur district in North East India.
2. When you visit, it might be difficult to realise that the national park is literally floating. This is due to the fact that a wide region is fully covered with biomasses, or decaying plant remains, known locally as phumdis.
3. These phumdis exist in nature in a swamp marshland and are composed of organic waste, biomass, and stiffened soils. Although the water remains underneath, the buoyant phumdis are robust enough even for wildlife and even people to walk on.
4. On Loktak Lake, you’ll almost certainly observe the famed ‘rings.’ These were all created in the same manner!
5. Another possible explanation for why this park is unique is that it is the only place on the planet where you may see Sangai deer who live here.
6. This park is currently mostly a nature refuge for the protected Eld’s deer, also known as the brow-antlered deer. It has a healthy flock of over 204 male and female deers, with additional kids born each year.

Conclusion

The lake provides a living for up to 4,000 fisherfolk and their dependents, who live in tiny huts along its shores. In addition, India’s first floating primary school, which opened in 2017, is nearby. Only the biggest phumdi has been designated as a national park in order to safeguard the threatened sangai, of whom only around 200 are left in the wild. The Meitei inhabitants of Manipur see the lake as their mother—the source of life.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a one-of-a-kind national park that is also one of the top destinations in India to experience the best of wildlife.