Keibul Lamjao

Keibul Lamjao National Park is the world's only floating national park, located in Manipur, India, covering 40 square kilometers of the unique phumdi (floating biomass) ecosystem on Loktak Lake. Established in 1977, the park was created specifically to protect the critically endangered sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer), found nowhere else on Earth. The phumdi consists of decomposed vegetation, soil, and organic matter that floats on the lake surface, creating a constantly shifting landscape that becomes thicker and more solid during dry seasons. This extraordinary ecosystem supports not only the sangai but also diverse waterbirds, reptiles, and fish species adapted to this unique wetland environment. The park's floating islands can reach thicknesses of several meters, supporting grasses and vegetation on which the sangai grazes. Keibul Lamjao represents one of the most unusual protected areas globally, facing distinctive conservation challenges related to lake water level management, phumdi stability, and human pressures. The sangai, once thought extinct, has recovered to a population of several hundred through intensive conservation efforts. The park embodies the intimate connection between cultural heritage and biodiversity in Manipur, where the sangai holds deep symbolic significance.

The park is most famous for being the last natural habitat of the endangered Sangai deer (Rucervus eldii eldii). Besides the Sangai, the park hosts numerous other species including the hog deer, wild boar, and large Indian civet. The wetland ecosystem supports a rich variety of waterfowl and waders, with over 60 species of birds recorded. Notable avian species include the black kite, northern hill myna, bamboo partridge, and various duck species. The park also harbors several species of snakes, lizards, and amphibians adapted to the unique floating ecosystem.

The vegetation of Keibul Lamjao is dominated by floating meadows and aquatic plants. The phumdis support over 200 species of aquatic plants including Zizania latifolia, Eichhornia crassipes, and Alpinia galanga. The park also features various reeds, grasses, and wetland species such as Phragmites karka, Saccharum munja, and Capillipedium spp. Along the park's periphery, one can find semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests containing species like bamboo, wild rice, and various medicinal plants that are crucial to the ecosystem's stability.

The park's most distinctive geological feature is its floating ecosystem, known as 'phumdis' - a unique biomass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter that floats on Loktak Lake. These phumdis can be up to 4.5 meters thick and cover approximately 40 square kilometers. The park itself sits within the floodplain of Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. The soil composition consists mainly of organic matter and alluvial deposits, creating a dynamic ecosystem that rises and falls with the lake's water levels.

Keibul Lamjao National Park experiences a moderate subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Summers (March to May) are warm with temperatures ranging from 20-32°C, while winters (November to February) are cool with temperatures between 4-24°C. The monsoon season (June to September) brings heavy rainfall, averaging 1,400mm annually. The best time to visit is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and wildlife viewing conditions are optimal. During the rainy season, parts of the park may become inaccessible due to flooding of the Loktak Lake.

Keibul Lamjao was initially declared a sanctuary in 1966, primarily to protect the endangered Sangai deer (Rucervus eldii eldii). In 1977, it was elevated to national park status, becoming Manipur's first and only national park. The area has deep cultural significance for the local Manipuri people, who consider the Sangai deer sacred and refer to it as the 'dancing deer' due to its graceful movements. The park's unique floating ecosystem has been traditionally used by local communities for fishing and harvesting aquatic vegetation, leading to careful balance between conservation and traditional practices.

Keibul Lamjao's history as a protected area is inseparable from the story of the sangai's near-extinction and recovery. By the mid-20th century, the sangai was believed extinct due to hunting and habitat loss until a small population was rediscovered in the 1950s on the floating phumdi of Loktak Lake. This discovery prompted the Manipur government to establish initial protection measures. In 1966, the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary, providing legal protection for the remaining sangai population, estimated at fewer than 20 individuals. The upgrade to national park status in 1977 brought enhanced protection and management resources dedicated to saving the species. Early conservation efforts focused on anti-poaching, habitat protection, and understanding the unique phumdi ecosystem. The construction of the Ithai Dam in 1983 for hydroelectric power dramatically affected Loktak Lake's water levels, impacting phumdi formation and quality - a challenge that continues today. Through the 1990s and 2000s, conservation programs included phumdi management, population monitoring, and community engagement. The sangai population gradually recovered, though it remains critically endangered with fewer than 300 individuals. Recent years have seen increased attention to the park's unique ecology and the need for integrated lake management.

The park's most remarkable feature is its floating phumdis, which form the world's only floating national park. The Loktak Lake, on which the park floats, is designated as a Ramsar site of international importance. The park offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly of the Sangai deer, from watchtowers and boat rides. Traditional fishing communities living around the park demonstrate sustainable fishing practices using traditional equipment. The park also serves as an important research site for wetland ecology and conservation, attracting scientists and researchers from around the world.

Keibul Lamjao National Park offers limited but developing visitor facilities focused on wildlife viewing and education about this unique ecosystem. The park is accessible from Imphal, Manipur's capital, located approximately 45 kilometers away, with road connections suitable for most vehicles. Basic accommodation is available at nearby Moirang and Bishnupur, with better options in Imphal. Boat rides to viewing points on the lake offer the best opportunities to observe sangai and understand the phumdi ecosystem, available through the forest department. Watchtowers have been constructed at strategic locations providing views across the floating landscape. A small interpretation center near the park entrance explains the unique ecology and conservation efforts. The best time to visit is November to March when water levels stabilize and sangai are more visible on the phumdi. Early morning and late afternoon offer optimal wildlife viewing conditions. Visitors should be prepared for basic facilities and limited services within the park. Local guides familiar with sangai behavior and locations significantly enhance viewing success. Photography requires patience as sangai can be difficult to spot among the vegetation. The park's remoteness and security considerations in the region mean visitors should check current conditions before planning trips.

Conservation at Keibul Lamjao National Park focuses on the critically endangered sangai while addressing complex challenges related to the floating phumdi ecosystem and Loktak Lake management. Population monitoring through regular surveys tracks sangai numbers, distribution, and health, with intensive anti-poaching efforts protecting the small population. Phumdi management represents a unique conservation challenge, as these floating islands are affected by lake water levels, which changed dramatically after dam construction. Efforts to maintain stable water levels suitable for phumdi formation involve ongoing negotiations with dam authorities and water resource managers. Invasive water hyacinth threatens to alter phumdi composition and must be controlled. Community-based conservation engages local fishing communities in protection efforts and sustainable resource use. The park faces pressures from fishing activities, phumdi extraction for agricultural use, and proposed development projects affecting the lake. Research programs study phumdi ecology, sangai population dynamics, and the impacts of water level fluctuations. Ex-situ conservation efforts maintain a small captive sangai population as insurance against extinction. Climate change impacts on rainfall patterns and lake hydrology pose emerging threats. The park's conservation success depends on integrated management of the entire Loktak Lake ecosystem, requiring coordination across multiple agencies and stakeholder groups.