Keibul Lamjao National Park occupies the southwestern portion of Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district, Manipur — at 24.4750°N, 93.7910°E, ~65 km from Imphal. Its 40 sq km of thick floating phumdis (vegetation mats) form the last refuge of the Sangai deer (Rucervus eldii eldii), a brow-antlered deer subspecies found nowhere else on Earth. Declared a national park in 1977, it remains the only park in the world where the land itself moves.
Keibul Lamjao National Park
The Park That Floats — World's Only National Park on a Floating Wetland
History of Keibul Lamjao
Sangai's Near-Extinction (1951–1953)
The Sangai deer was declared extinct in 1951 when surveys found no individuals remaining. In 1953, a small population of just 4 individuals was rediscovered surviving on the thick phumdis of Keibul Lamjao — the only habitat where their semi-webbed hooves, evolved for soft floating ground, allowed them to survive. This rediscovery triggered Manipur's wildlife protection movement and eventually the park's establishment.
Wildlife Sanctuary to National Park (1966–1977)
Keibul Lamjao was first declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1966 — the same year the Sangai was designated Manipur's state animal. After a decade of protection that saw numbers rise from single digits to approximately 100 individuals, the Government of India upgraded it to a National Park in 1977 under the Wildlife Protection Act. This made it the first (and still only) national park established on a floating wetland ecosystem globally.
Ithai Barrage Threat & Conservation Crisis
The Ithai Barrage (1983) raised Loktak Lake's water level, partially submerging the park's phumdis and reducing the firm floating ground the Sangai needs for movement and feeding. Sangai numbers dropped from 100 to ~14 by 1975 before protection measures recovered them. Currently ~260 Sangai survive — the entire global population of this subspecies lives within these 40 sq km of floating vegetation. Poaching and habitat loss remain the primary threats.
Ecological Significance
Keibul Lamjao's phumdis support not just Sangai but also hog deer, wild boar, large Indian civet, fishing cat, and 233 species of birds including the rare yellow-breasted bunting. The park's floating ecosystem is entirely self-sustaining — phumdis grow by accumulating vegetation and organic matter, gradually thickening to support deer weight (50–170 kg per animal). The park has no permanent land boundary — the 40 sq km boundary follows specific lake coordinates that the floating mass crosses seasonally.
Events & Experiences
Sangai Festival (November)
The Manipur Sangai Festival (November 21–30, annually) is Manipur's biggest tourism event — a 10-day celebration of the state's culture and wildlife named after the Sangai deer. Cultural shows, indigenous games (Sagol Kangjei polo, Thang-Ta martial arts), handloom exhibitions, and boat tours to Keibul Lamjao are organised. The festival draws 50,000+ visitors annually and directly supports conservation awareness around the Sangai's habitat.
Wildlife Week at Keibul Lamjao (October)
Wildlife Week (October 2–8) sees Keibul Lamjao's forest department organise nature walks, bird watching sessions, and conservation workshops for school groups and visitors. The observation tower at the park entry is opened for extended photography sessions during Wildlife Week. Rangers provide free guided phumdi ecology walks explaining the unique floating ecosystem — the most educational nature experience in Manipur.
Did You Know?
The Sangai deer's survival strategy involves "swimming" between phumdi masses — they are capable swimmers despite their deer physiology. When phumdis separate due to wind or water currents, individual Sangai have been documented swimming up to 200 m of open water to reach adjacent floating islands. Calves born on phumdis learn to swim within days of birth — a survival necessity unique among deer species worldwide. Local Meitei people consider the Sangai a manifestation of divine grace and it appears on Manipur's official logo.
Travel Guide to Keibul Lamjao NP
How to Reach
By Air: Imphal Airport (IMF) — 65 km; ~2 hrs by taxi. Daily flights from Delhi (2.5 hrs), Kolkata (1 hr), Guwahati (45 min).
By Train: No railway in Imphal valley — nearest rail is Jiribam (~200 km, 4 hrs). Guwahati → Jiribam by train, then Imphal by road.
By Road: Imphal → Bishnupur (53 km) → Keibul Lamjao (65 km total). State buses Imphal–Bishnupur (₹40). Hire taxi from Bishnupur to park gate (₹150–200).
Best Time to Visit
November to April for highest Sangai sighting probability. November: Sangai Festival month — best time combining culture and wildlife. December–February: cold mornings (8–15°C), phumdis firmly elevated, Sangai graze openly at dawn. Monsoon (June–September): phumdis partially submerged; Sangai move to higher ground areas — sightings possible but access limited. Summer (March–May): good visibility before rains; park open daily 6 AM–5 PM except Fridays.
Local Attractions Nearby
Loktak Lake: 10 km — India's largest NE freshwater lake with boat tours.
Sendra Island: 15 km — observation hill inside Loktak with panoramic views.
Bishnupur: 5 km — Manipur's handloom capital and Vishnu temple complex.
Moirang: 12 km — INA (Indian National Army) Museum and WWII memorial.
Tips for Visitors
Entry fee: ₹20 (Indian adults), ₹100 (foreigners). Camera fee: ₹50 (still), ₹200 (video). Park gate opens 6 AM — arrive at gate by 5:45 AM for dawn Sangai sightings from the observation tower.
Wear earth tones — Sangai are shy; bright colours cause them to retreat into thick phumdis. Keep noise minimal inside the park. No flash photography near animals.
Phumdi walking tours: forest rangers accompany small groups (max 8) on 45-min guided walks on thick phumdi — an extraordinary experience of "walking on water." Advance booking at park gate required (1 day ahead).
ILP (Inner Line Permit) mandatory for non-Manipuri visitors. Obtain online at manipurilp.in (₹20 processing) or at Imphal Airport arrival hall. Without ILP, park entry is not permitted.