Keibul Lamjao National Park — Attraction in Manipur

What makes Keibul Lamjao different from any other national Park in the world is the fact that the same floats! The entire park is entirely on a Phumdi which is an exclusive feature of Loktak lake in Manipur.

The national park is a 10 - 15 min drive from Moirang Bazaar which will take you at the top of a little hillock from where there are watch towers that show the entire expanse of the 40 Sq. Km national Park. Tickets for each vehicle (Rs. 100) and each person (Rs. 30) needs to be purchased at the entrance of the park itself.

As you drive through the tall vegetation in the park, you can spot various colourful birds all around and on the Loktak lakeside. However, the highlight and purpose of this visit is to spot the state animal of Manipur, which is the Sangai deer (also called the dancing deer) which is found only in Manipur and which, sadly, faces the danger of extinction as its main habitat (the phumdis) have steadily started to degenerate due to human intervention.

Although there are a few boats in the Loktak in the national park itself, which take you through the Phumdi, it might not really be the best way to see the deer as these animals are shy and too scared to venture out anywhere close to noise and humans. Therefore, it is advisable to carry good binoculars or borrow one from the local at the watch tower (at around Rs. 10 pp) and try to spot the beautiful Sangai from the watch tower. Although difficult, it's not at all impossible (I managed to spot 2-3 of them thanks to a few locals who had advised us that the best time for spotting deer are mornings).

Depending on one's interest and patience in spotting the Sangai , the time spent at the watch tower of the national Park can range from 15 mins to 1 hour,or even more if you are an enthusiast. There's nothing else to do up there and no food or drink is available, so it's advisable to carry your snacks /water bottles. There's plenty of shade at the watch tower and one can comfortably sit there.

Do visit to see these rare species of animals in their natural habitat. Also, do your bit to save them from extinction by not polluting the lake...

Comprising of approx 40 sq km, the Keibul Lamjao National Park is probably the world's only 'floating' sanctuary with deep vegetation. Visiting the place, one could see the distinguished features all around in the park. The park isn’t just about the vegetation and the terrain as you would also find the important highlight of the park which is the Loktak Lake that is considered to be the largest freshwater lake in India. The National Park is brimming with flora and fauna of motley species that live here in utmost harmony. To be very correct, there are nearly 233 species of aquatic plants, more than 400 species of animals and about a 100 varied species of birds in the national park. Also, the Keibul Lamjao is the home to endangered brow-antlered deer which is also known as Sangai by the locals in Manipur.

HISTORY To save the sangai deer the entire Loktak Lake was protected and declared a sanctuary in the year 1953 as it was threatened to get extinct. Later in the year 1954, following the re-discovery of the deer, the hunting was once again permitted in Loktak, except for a small portion at the southern tip, which continued to be protected. The area was later in the year 1966 was officially declared as a sanctuary and it was on March 28, 1977, the Keibul Lamjao National Park was created.

HOW TO REACH? One could avail the public transport facility to make it to the Keibul Lamjao National Park when in Imphal.

BEST TIME TO VISIT The Keibul Lamjao National Park can be visited all throughout the year depending on the rainfall conditions. Consider visiting the national park during the winter season between November and February to make the most out of your exploration in the park.

VISITING TIME Tourists can make a visit to the Keibul Lamjao National Park at any day of the week between 09:00 AM and 06:00 PM.

ENTRY FEES There is no entry fees to Keibul Lamjao...

A day visit is sufficient for this park. Area is about 40 km square, however most of the land is floating. This is the only floating national park in the world. Park is also famous for Manipur's endangered Sangai deer. You can go to watch tower by car, cycle or even by walking to have a view from the top. Boat ride option is also there. Scenic beauty from watch tower is awesome. Probably the only floating water park in the world inhabited by the Sangai and wild boars and plenty of birds... A ride through the water channel is a must. There are dedicated local Volunteers manning and assisting tourists and who don't even ask for a fee.. one could give them as they please.. Imphal visit not complete without a visit here.. best to go very early in the morning. The floating biomass is the most amazing thing i have ever seen...its the only floating national park in the world...one can also walk over that biomass for sometime...but the only disappointing thing was they dont let u go inside a lot into the Water body so the boat ride is actually very very small...the reason for that is sangai deers are very smell sensitive and can be rejected by their own community due to human smell which leads to depression and leads to their suicide and death in seclusion.. u will also get to see migratory birds too... The view from the top is amazing. You could look down upon the open field and get a rare glimpse of deers, the natural habitants of this place. They are the highlights of this national park. Go with a vehicle otherwise it's not worth the effort. Good for family picnic and...