Keibul lamjao national park Travel Guide

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. It is 40 km2 (15.4 sq mi) in area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake. national park is characterized by many floating decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis. To preserve the natural refuge of the endangered Manipur Eld's deer or brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi), or sangai also called the dancing deer, listed as an endangered species by IUCN, the park which was initially declared to be a sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared to be a national park in 1977 through a gazette notification. The act has generated local support and public awareness.The film The Return of Sangai (Manipuri Sangai Hallakpa) by the Manipur Forest Department gives a deep insight of Sangai and Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Keibul Lamjao National Park, is the only floating national park in the world. Accessible only by the dugout canoes, this green beauty is perched in the middle of the Loktak Lake.

The park was initially declared as a Sanctuary in 1966, to preserve the natural refuge of the endangered Brow-antlered Deer – Sangai (Rucervus eldi eldi).

In 1839 this specie was discovered and after that in 1951 it is reported to be extinct, but after that it is rediscovered and now Keibul Lamjao is only home to this unique deer specie which attracts a large number of tourists to Keibul Lamjao National Park.

It was established as a National Park in the year of 1977. Total area of the park is 40.00 Km². Keibul Lamjao National is world’s only floating national park and last natural habitat of Brow antlered deer – Sangai (Cervus eldi eldi).

The park is situated on the southern shore of the Loktak Lake – the largest fresh water lake in Eastern India, which has been declared a Ramsar site. The fauna in the park is also rare and unique.

 FLORA:

With 233 variety of aquatic plants, your expectations have to be gargantuan. The aquatic flora ranges from Khoimom (Saccharum munja) which is a grass found along the banks of the river and with beautiful white flowers to Alpinia galanga, which is an herb used in cooking, mostly in Thai cuisine. The phumdis are covered with grass called as Cynodon dactylon (Tinthou).

Dioscorea bulbifera grows in abundance here, it is a species of true yam. The place is indeed rich in bid-diversity and vegetation.

FAUNA :

Sangai, the dancing deer is the star attraction of Keibul Lamjao. Its hooves are peculiarly adapted for walking on the phumdis. Its light movements and floating stance gives the deer a dancing aura and hence, it is known as the dancing deer. It is definitely a sight to behold. Apart from this, Rhesus monkey is omnipresent.

BIRD WATCHING:

The rare Waterfowl a winter migrant is the rarest sight you earn in the skies of Keibul Lamjao and Loktak Lake. Keibul Lamjao is also the residential address to a number of crane and hornbill species. Binoculars would be a great gadget to carry along for the avid bird watchers. Colourful and dazzling variety of butterfly species is also found fluttering around.