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Wild life of
Manipur
Keibul Lamjao National Park
Temperatures
range from a maximum of 34.4ºC to a minimum of 1.7ºC. The annual
rainfall is 1220 mm. The area is most humid in August, with daily
humidity measuring as much as 81 per cent. March is the least humid
at 49 per cent. It is located at about 53 km from Imphal in Manipur.
Spread in an area of 40 sq km, Keibul Lamjao National Park in
Manipur was established in the year 1966 as a Sanctuary and in the
year 1977 as a National Park. Keibul Lamjao National Park Manipur is
probably the World's only 'floating sanctuary' that comprises 40 sq
km of wetland overgrown with 1.5 m. deep floating vegetation (called
phumdi). The park has several distinguishing features. Besides the
vegetation and terrain, an important highlight of the park is the
Loktak Lake (6,475 ha), the largest freshwater lake in India; a
large portion of which falls within the park.
The Flora
Keibul Lamjao consists of the unique 'phumdi' or floating marshes.
Eighty per cent of the flora is submerged and the vegetation forms a
90-120 cm. thick cover on the water surface. About half a century
ago, the predominant plants used to be tou (45 per cent), singut (25
per cent) and khoimom (15 per cent). But the composition of the
vegetation has undergone rapid changes and the plant cover, at
present, is estimated to comprise of equal proportions of hoop
Leersia hexandra and sing kambong Zizania latifolia, a protein-rich
plant, often used as food (about 24 per cent).
The
Animals
Some very rare animals may be seen in and around this wilderness.
The star attraction, of course, is the brow-antlered deer Cervus
eldi eldi, called sangai in the local Meitei dialect. This
particular subspecies of the Thamin deer is also fondly called
Manipur's dancing deer because of its delicate gait as it negotiates
its way along the floating wetlands. Other species of deer seen here
include the hog deer, sambar and muntjac. One of the most primitive
primates, the slow loris occurs in scattered pockets on the hills.
Assamese and stump-tailed macaques and the Hoolock gibbon are
restricted mainly to the western hills. The Rhesus monkey is found
ubiquitously around the park. The large Indian civet Viverra zibetha
and small Indian civet Viverricula indica, common otter Lutra lutra
and wild boar Sus scrofa are some of the large mammals found in the
area. Extremely rare lesser wild cats like the marbled cat and
Temminck's golden cat may be sighted occasionally. The Himalayan
black bear and the Malayan bear may also be seen foraging for food.
The Birds
A variety of rare birds occur in Keibul Lamjao and the Loktak Lake.
The avifauna consists primarily of the smaller reed-dwelling
species. Waterfowl, which were unfailing winter migrants to the
lake, are becoming more rare because of the lack of open water
surfaces. The Hooded Crane may be seen in the Manipur valley. The
Black Eagle and the Shaheen Falcon are some of the raptors seen
here. The Eastern White Stork, Bamboo Partridge and Green Peafowl
are also found here. Some of the species of hornbills found here
include the Brownbacked Hornbill, Rufousnecked Hornbill, Wreathed
Hornbill, the Pied Hornbill and the Great Pied Hornbill.
Manipur Zoological Garden
It is located
at a distance of about 6 km from Imphal in Manipur. Here there are
some rare to be found species. A trip to the Manipur Zoological
Garden, at the foot of the pine-growing hillocks in the westernmost
corner of Lamphelpat is really enjoyable. Also the graceful brow
antlered deer (Sangai), one of the rarest species in the world, can
be seen in the sylvan surroundings of the Garden.
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