Keibul Lamjao National Park

About Keibul Lamjao National Park:

• It is the world’s only floating national park. 
• Location:
  • It is located in the Bishnupur district in Manipur.
  • The park is located in the southwestern part of the famous Loktak Lake, which is well known for the floating biomass called phumdis. 
• This is the last natural habitat of the endangered brow-antlered deer(Sangai deer), the dancing deer of Manipur.
• Vegetation: The park is a combination of wetland, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. 
• Flora:
  • It comprises of Saccharum munja (Khoimom), Zizania latifolia (Wild Rice) (Ishing kambong), Eiranthus procerus (Singnang),  S. bengalensis, Cynodon dactylon (Tinthou), Discorea bulbifera (Phumha) etc.
  • Another kind of aquatic flora, phumdis, can be found in two types phumdi aruppa (sinking) and phumdi ataoba (floating).
• Fauna: Includes Wild boar, Hog deer, common otter, Large Indian jungle cat, fox, Bay bamboo rat, golden cat, etc.

Key Facts about Sangai deer:

• Scientific Name: Rucervus eldii
• Common Name: Sangai, Brow antlered deer, Dancing Deer.
• Habitat and Distribution: It is found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park.
• Features:
  • It is a medium-sized deer, with uniquely distinctive antlers, with extremely long brow tine, which forms the main beam.
  • It has a dark reddish-brown winter coat, which turns paler in summer.
• Conservation Status:
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-1
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered

Key Facts about Loktak Lake:

• It is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. 
• It is famous for the phumdis floating over it. 
• It was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990. 
• It is also listed under the Montreux Record in 1993, “a record of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur”.

Q1) What is Montreux Record?

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Source: Manipur: Centre advises state government to take steps for protection of Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park

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