Keibul Lamjao National Park

Located in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India, The Keibul Lamjao National Park is the national park that can be claimed as the world’s only floating national park, afloat on the waters of the Loktak Lake in Manipur. This park is as well as an undisputed part of Loktak Lake. To sustain the natural habitat of the endangered Eld’s deer, it was constructed in 1966 as a wildlife sanctuary which was later gazetted as a national park in 1977. This park is amazing.

Attraction

It is one of the attractions of the town. As we know that it is claimed as the world’s only floating park and is the most significant organ of the ecosystem of Loktak Lake; North East India’s largest freshwater body. The only place where endangered Sangai deer are spotted and phumdis, who make a home here on the biomasses of the lake. If you are in Manipur you should not miss the chance of visiting the only floating national park.

History

Floating National park in India , Keibul Lamjao Netional park at loktak Lake, Manipur and its surrounding areas like floating homestay and Karang Island.

In 1839, first discovered in Manipur, the brow-antlered deer was named Cervus eldi eldi in honor of Lt.Percy Eld – a British officer, in the year 1844. In 1951, it was reported as an extinct species. The environmentalist and photographer E.P. Gee again revealed it in the Keibul Lamjao Park area, which enforced revealing this reserve park area as a national park to safeguard and sustain the deer, now known as Eld’s deer’s subspecies brow-antlered deer. Along with being placed in the folklore and culture of the Manipur state, It has the pride of being the state animal of Manipur.

Inside/Outside Views

Keibul Lamjao National Park Outside view in Manipur, India.

The whole view of this place is amazing. Many people come to visit this place. The park is a wetland ecosystem that is renowned for the patches and rings of biomass called phumdis. With a carpet of dead and decaying flora, Phumdi floats on the surface of the lake. Often reaching up to 15ft in height, tall reeds and grasses grow on these phumdis. Rare and unique fauna are also sheltered in the park. So, Don’t miss the beauty of this place.

How to Reach

By air: Tulihal Airport is the nearest airport in Imphal city. Major cities of the Indian state, Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Aizawl, Silchar, and Dimapur, are provided direct flights from this airport. From the airport, you can hire a cab or any other private transport which will lead you to the park.

By Rail: With about a distance of 215 km from Imphal by road, the nearest railhead is at Dimapur on the broad gauge line of the Northeast Frontier Railways. Another railhead on the Manipur border is Jiribam around a distance of 225 km from Imphal.

By Road: From Imphal, it is 53 km away and 522 km from Guwahati, by road on National Highway No. 53. You can get public and private transport available here.

FAQ

Que-01: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: Though the park will not give you any tough time; there’s no record of any kind of inconvenience. But you should be a little careful.

Nearest Police Station: Keibul Police Station: Keibul Lamjao Road, Bishnupur, Manipur.

Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: Yes, Photography is allowed here. If you are a wildlife photographer by any chance then do not miss the chance of getting amazing shots of the floating park as well as the Sangai deer.

Que-03: Which time is best to visit the Keibul Lamjao National Park?

Ans: No specific season is notified with special advantages but you should visit this park in the early morning.As the environment remains calm and quite in the morning you will definitely get an amazing feel of the floating park.

Information for travelers:

From Moirang Bazaar, the national park is typically a 10 – 15 min drive which will take you to the top of a little hillock. The entire expanse of the 40 Sq. Km national Park can be enjoyed from the watchtower which is placed in the hillock. For each vehicle, Tickets are available at Rs. 100 and each person Rs. 30which is needed to be purchased at the entrance of the park itself. You will spot various colorful birds all around and on the Loktak lakeside while driving through the tall vegetation in the park. In the national park, few boats are there in the Loktak lake. It takes you through the Phumdi but as these animals are shy and too scared to venture out anywhere close to noise and humans, it might not really be the best way to see the deer. Therefore, it is advisable to spot the beautiful Sangai from the watchtower by carrying good binoculars or lending one to the locals. Though there’s no food or drink available there so you should carry your snacks /water bottles with you. There’s enough shaded area at the watchtower where you can comfortably sit and take a rest or gossip with your company like family, friends, or your partner.

Threats to the park: The thickness of phumdis is affected due to the permanent flooding of the park and its resultant. Construction of the Ithai Barrage under the Loktak Multi-Purpose Project where a high level of water is maintained is the reason behind this kind of occurrence. The natural cycle of floating and sinking of phumdis which used to be maintained in the park is disturbed by this. Hence, it is considered that the growth of vegetation on phumdis and their thickness will gradually decrease. One conception is that at some stage, to shelter the number of the Eld’s deer or sangai deer, the phumdis may not be able. After the commissioning of the hydroelectric project two ecosystems emerged whereas earlier there was only marshy land in the parking area ;