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".

 

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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