{"id":6219,"date":"2026-07-21T11:50:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T06:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=6219"},"modified":"2026-07-21T17:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:06:19","slug":"keibul-lamjao-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/keibul-lamjao-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Keibul Lamjao National Park, Location, Flora &#038; Fauna, Floating Park"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Keibul Lamjao National Park<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a unique and beautiful national park located in the state of <\/span><b>Manipur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Northeast India. It is widely known for being the <\/span><b>only floating national park in the world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as it is made up of floating masses of vegetation called <\/span><b>phumdis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on <\/span><b>Loktak Lake<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The park is especially famous for being the natural home of the <\/span><b>endangered Sangai deer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is also known as the \u201cdancing deer.\u201d With its mix of water, greenery, and wildlife, the park offers a rare example of how nature can adapt in unusual ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Keibul Lamjao National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keibul Lamjao National Park is a <\/span><b>very unique and ecologically significant national park located in Manipur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it is globally famous for being the <\/span><b>only floating national park in the world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Unlike typical forests, this park is built on floating land masses, which makes it extremely rare and scientifically important.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park spreads over an area of about <\/span><b>40 square kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and is mainly composed of floating vegetation known as <\/span><b>phumdis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which support a wide range of plant and animal life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is especially important because it is the <\/span><b>last natural habitat of the endangered <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/sangai\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Sangai deer<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also known as the <\/span><b>dancing deer of Manipur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a key site for wildlife conservation in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Where is Keibul Lamjao National Park Located?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is located in the <\/span><b>Bishnupur district of Manipur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in the <\/span><b>southwestern part of <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/loktak-lake\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Loktak Lake<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being situated on a lake, the park forms a <\/span><b>unique <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wetland-ecosystems\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>wetland ecosystem<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where land and water are closely connected and constantly interacting with each other.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its location makes it an important part of the <\/span><b>Loktak Lake ecosystem<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which supports both biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why is Keibul Lamjao National Park Unique?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most special feature of the park is that it is the <\/span><b>world\u2019s only floating national park<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, formed by thick floating masses of vegetation called <\/span><b>phumdis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which act like natural floating islands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These phumdis are strong enough to support animals, including the Sangai deer, which moves gracefully across them, giving it the name <\/span><b>\u201cdancing deer.\u201d<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is also unique because it combines <\/span><b>wetland, terrestrial, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/aquatic-ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>aquatic ecosystems<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, creating a highly diverse and dynamic environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its rare ecosystem and limited habitat make it one of the <\/span><b>most sensitive and important conservation areas in India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What is the Historical Background of the Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the early 1950s, the <\/span><b>Sangai deer was believed to be extinct<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which raised serious concerns among conservationists and authorities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it was later <\/span><b>rediscovered in Manipur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which became a turning point for wildlife conservation in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To protect the species, the area around Loktak Lake was first declared a <\/span><b>protected sanctuary in 1953<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and further steps were taken to restrict hunting and human interference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eventually, the area was officially declared a <\/span><b>National Park in 1977<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring stronger legal protection and conservation efforts under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the years, continuous conservation work has helped in <\/span><b>increasing the population of Sangai deer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, showing the success of protection measures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are Phumdis and Why are They Important?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Phumdis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are floating masses made up of <\/span><b>vegetation, soil, and decomposed organic matter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and they form the foundation of the park\u2019s ecosystem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These floating structures remain partly above water and partly submerged, creating a <\/span><b>stable yet flexible habitat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for plants and animals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phumdis play a very important role in <\/span><b>maintaining the ecological balance of Loktak Lake<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as they help in nutrient cycling and water purification.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also provide <\/span><b>food, shelter, and breeding grounds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for many species, including the Sangai deer, making them essential for survival in this ecosystem.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Type of Vegetation is Found in the Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vegetation in the park is a mix of <\/span><b>aquatic plants, grasses, and semi-terrestrial species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, adapted to waterlogged and floating conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common plant species include <\/span><b>Saccharum munja, Zizania latifolia (wild rice), Erianthus procerus, Cynodon dactylon, and Discorea bulbifera<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which thrive in wet environments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The phumdis themselves are covered with dense vegetation, creating a <\/span><b>green floating landscape<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> across the lake.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This vegetation not only supports wildlife but also helps in <\/span><b>maintaining water quality and preventing <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/soil-erosion\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>soil erosion<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Flora is Found in Keibul Lamjao National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is home to around <\/span><b>145 to 233 plant species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including grasses, herbs, aquatic plants, and shrubs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important plant species such as <\/span><b>Phragmites karka, Alpinia galanga, and Erianthus species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contribute to the diversity of the ecosystem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of these plants are specially adapted to <\/span><b>wetland conditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, allowing them to survive in floating or semi-submerged environments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rich plant diversity supports the <\/span><b>entire food chain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, from herbivores to predators, making the ecosystem stable and productive.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Animals are Found in the Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park supports around <\/span><b>22 species of mammals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><b>Sangai deer, hog deer, wild boar, otters, civet cats, jungle cats, and golden cats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also has a variety of <\/span><b>reptiles and amphibians<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as turtles, snakes (cobra, python, viper), and frogs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is especially rich in bird life, with over <\/span><b>150 species of birds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including many <\/span><b>migratory birds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that visit during winter months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, the lake supports numerous <\/span><b>fish species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it an important area for both biodiversity and local fisheries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are the Key Facts about Sangai Deer?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Sangai deer (Rucervus eldii)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an <\/span><b>endangered species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park, making it extremely rare and valuable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is known for its <\/span><b>graceful movement on floating phumdis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which gives it the nickname <\/span><b>\u201cdancing deer.\u201d<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deer has <\/span><b>long, curved antlers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><b>reddish-brown coat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which changes with seasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is protected under <\/span><b>Schedule I of the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wildlife-protection-act\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and is listed as <\/span><b>Endangered by the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/iucn-red-list\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>IUCN<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, highlighting the need for strict conservation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also the <\/span><b>state animal of Manipur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and holds deep cultural and emotional significance for the local people.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are the Key Facts about Loktak Lake?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Loktak Lake<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the <\/span><b>largest freshwater lake in Northeast India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it plays a central role in the park\u2019s ecosystem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is famous for its <\/span><b>phumdis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which are not found in such abundance anywhere else in the world.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lake is important for the local economy, as it provides <\/span><b>water for irrigation, drinking, fishing, and hydropower generation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was declared a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/ramsar-sites-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Ramsar Site<\/b><\/a><b> in 1990<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to its international ecological importance and later included in the <\/span><b>Montreux Record in 1993<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to environmental concerns.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, human activities have put pressure on the lake, making conservation efforts even more important.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why is Keibul Lamjao National Park Important?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is extremely important as it is the <\/span><b>only natural habitat of the Sangai deer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it critical for the species\u2019 survival.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It protects a <\/span><b>rare floating <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>ecosystem<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is highly sensitive and unique in the world.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park helps in maintaining <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>biodiversity<\/b><\/a><b>, water resources, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/ecological-balance\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>ecological balance<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also has <\/span><b>cultural importance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as the Sangai deer is closely linked to the traditions and identity of Manipur.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, it is a great example of how <\/span><b>wetland ecosystems and wildlife conservation can work together<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while also supporting local communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is the world&#8217;s only floating national park, famous for its unique phumdi ecosystem and endangered Sangai, the dancing deer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":112708,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4993,5106,8827],"class_list":["post-6219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-environment","tag-environment-notes","tag-keibul-lamjao-national-park","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6219"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114298,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6219\/revisions\/114298"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}