National Parks In India

Keibul Lamjao National Park

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated in the Bishnupur district of the Manipur state of India. The total area of this park is about 40 km2 (15.4 sq mi). This is the only floating park of the world that is being located in North Eastern part of India and as the integral part of Loktak Lake.

This park is exactly located on the latitudes 24° 27' S - 24° 31'' N. And the Latitude location is 93° 53' E - 93° 55'W.
This park is basically famous for many floating decomposed plant materials that are locally called as  phumdis. This park  was declared as the Sanctuary in 1966 and was developed in order to preserve the natural shelter of some endangered Eld's Deer of Manipur or Brow-antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi), or Sangai that is also famous as Dancing Deer. This deer is also being listed as endangered specie by IUCN. Subsequently this park was declared as National Park in 1977 by the gazette notification passed by the Government concerned. This Act leads to the generation of the support of local people as well as the public awareness.

General Information

State	Manipur
District(s)	Bishnupur
Established	1966
Nearest city	Moirang, Imphal
Time zone
Area
Elevation	2,281 m (7,483.6 ft)
Climate
Precipitation	1,183 mm (46.6 in)
Temperature
Summer	34.40 C
Winter	1.70 C

History

The various names of single deer: Cervus eldii, Eld’s deer, Thamin deer, Brow-antlered deer, Sangai, Dancing deer have been given. This deer is very unsual deer that is found only in the single state of India, Manipur. The highly endangered specie named as the brow-antlered deer is one of the highly exclusive specie that is being found within the small area of the north-eastern corners of India, Myanmar and certain part of Thailand. The only place available in India to see this e this stunning creature is the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Keibul Lamjao park is not only popular for the brow-antlered deer but also popular for the very scarce `floating’ protected areas in the whole world. This park is about 50 km from Imphal the capital of Manipur state and is situated overt the island on the border of the Loktak Lake.

This park was gazetted as a sanctuary in 1969 and declared as the National Park officially in 1977. At present this park has been stretched over an area of about 40 sq km that is being surrounded by hummocks, marshes and the Loktak Lake. There are also many streams that interweave Keibul Lamjao Park that is also enveloped with widespread marshes that makes it a marshland. The main attraction of this park and the thing for which it is basically famous is the Loktak Lake that is totally enveloped by the floating carpet of dense aquatic grass that is locally famous as `phum'. Besides this some other wild grasses that includes variety of wild rice creates the main part of the vegetation of this area supporting an amazingly large and various fauna.

One of the most outstanding occupants of the Keibul Lamjao Park is the brow-antlered `sangai' deer. This animal is very much lovable for the people of Manipur and is popular in Manipuri legends as well as the dance tradition that it is even known as the `dancing deer'). This deer has been reported as extinct specie in 1951 but later on after its re-discovery it has become one of the major attractions of this park. Certain other animals who are the residents of this park are otter, wild boar, civet and hog deer. There is also number of small reed-dwelling birds. The Loktak Lake is also the habitat for the large number of piscine population.

Best Time To Visit- Detailed Information

This park remains opened from the months of October to May. If any one wants to see the dancing deer than he must visit this park in the months of December - January and March - April. In the months of December and January the fair share of frost develops in this area. Various species of the migratin birds can be seen in the months of November and March and the climate of this area is also very pleasant during these months.

Distance From - Keibul Lamjao  National Park

By Air: Manipur's capital, Imphal (53 km. from the park) is connected by flight to major cities like Delhi, Guwahati (469 km), and Calcutta.

By Rail: Dimapur (215 km. from Imphal) is the nearest railhead. Jiribam, a small town on Manipur's border, 225 km. from Imphal is an alternative, from where one can proceed to Keibul Lamjao by road.

By Road: Imphal is connected by road with Guwahati (469 km.) through National Highway No.39 and Silchar through National Highway No. 53. The park is about 53 km. from Manipur's capital, Imphal and can be approached by bus or on private vehicles.

How To Get There

One can visit this area by boarding the passenger bus that is abvailble from Imphal Bus Terminus situated near Ima Women Market, Nipakheithel, Imphal as well as by the private vehicles in which one can negotiate the prices. The fare of the Bus is Rs. 40/- (Condition apply).

Things To Do In – Keibul Lamjao National Park

Do’s:

1. It must be visited in the early morning or by late afternoon before sunset.

2. It must be visited in small groups with proper silence and discipline.

3. One must carry drinking water, first aid kit and binoculars.

4. During the normal traveling (a) Must hire the guide (b) Carry the stick and wear hunting boot. (c) Wear the clothes of dark color.

5. One should esteem the animals as well as their ethnicity.

6. While boat riding one should be careful and be seated.

Dont's:

1. Do not expect animals in routine way and remain patient.

2. Do not enter the premises of the park without consent.

3. Do not saunter unaccompanied in the phumdies.

4. Do not take anything with you from the park.

5. Do not dress in colorful clothes as well as perfume.

6. Do not agitate or make fun of animals.

7. Do not carry tape recorder, radio and other valuable items.

8. Do not throw waste in the area as well as food items.

9. Do not go swimming in inequitable waters and also avoid cigarette and match boxes.

Location Map

Accommodation

Overnight halt at one of these rest houses is advisable for early morning visit-

Anand Continental Hotel, Imphal, Manipur:  

Thangal Bazaar , Khoyathong Road, Imphal

Manipur, India , Telephone No: 0385 – 2449422

Nirmala Hotel, Imphal, Manipur

Behind City Police Station , MG Avenue,

Thangal Bazaar,Imphal , Manipur, India , Telephone No: 0385 – 2458904

For Information About Keibul Lamjao National Park Contact

The Director of Tourism (Hotel Imphal Complex), Near Raj Bhavan, Imphal, Ph: 0385-224603 / 220802 / 222705

Weather

Temperature in witnters is about 4° in January and about 32° C in summers in June

The average Humidity  is about 45% in March and about 80% in August

Photo Gallery