Loktak Lake

Loktak Lake Latest News

The northeastern state of Manipur contains the amazing freshwater body of Loktak Lake, known for its perfect circular floating islands called phumdis.

About Loktak Lake

• It is located in the state of Manipur.
• Spread across nearly 287 sq.km., it is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. 
• The lake is famous for its phumdis.
  • Phumdis are unique, heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter that float on the water’s surface. 
  • Only 20% of a phumdis’ thickness floats above the water surface; the other 80% remains submerged. 
  • The floating masses are strong enough to support fishing huts, human settlements, and animal habitats.
• The Keibul Lamjao National Park is an integral part of the lake. It is the world’s only floating national park.
• The park is best known as the habitat of the endangered sangai deer, also called the brow-antlered deer, which is native to Manipur.
• Rivers like Khuga, Western, Nambul, Imphal, Kongba, Iril, Thoubal, Heirok, and Sekmai drain into this lake.
• It was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990. 
• It features 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”.
• It supports hydropower, fisheries, transport, and tourism.

Source: TOI

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