Keibul Lamjao: India’s Only Floating National Park And Home to the Endangered Sangai Deer

Keibul Lamjao: India’s Only Floating National Park And Home to the Endangered Sangai Deer

Deep in the serene recesses of Manipur, on the sparkling Loktak Lake, spreads a national park like no other. Keibul Lamjao is the globe's sole floating national park, a fantasy wetland floating on a thin mat of floating biomass known as phumdis. To top it all off is the fact that it is the Sangai deer's last natural sanctuary, a.k.a. the "dancing deer" of Manipur.

A Park That Floats
Unlike any other wildlife sanctuary, Keibul Lamjao is not on firm ground. The park consists of dense, spongy mats of vegetation and soil floating on Loktak Lake. These phumdis float up and down with the water level, forming a one-of-a-kind ecosystem to be seen anywhere else in the world.

The Dancing Deer of Manipur
The star attraction of the park is the threatened Sangai deer, identified by its elegant gait that appears near-dance-like on the soft, floating terrain. Considered to be extinct in the 1950s, the Sangai was rediscovered and is now safeguarded here with great care. For Manipuris, the Sangai is not wildlife but a symbol of their culture that is connected to folklore and identity.

A Haven for Birds and Wetland Life
Keibul Lamjao is also a paradise for birdwatchers. Migratory birds flock here every winter, including rare species like the Eastern Imperial Eagle and Baer’s Pochard. The wetlands support otters, hog deer, and countless fish, making it a living laboratory of biodiversity.

Best Time to Visit
The most enjoyable months to visit Keibul Lamjao are from November to March, when the weather is nice, the lake is brimming, and wildlife encounters are common. Winter also arrives with thousands of migratory birds, painting the floating meadows with colour and song.

Getting There
Keibul Lamjao is approximately 50 km from Manipur's capital, Imphal. Loktak Lake itself is a big draw, with fishermen dwelling in floating houses. Tourists tend to accompany a visit to the park with a boat tour of the lake for the full experience.

Keibul Lamjao might not be as well known as India's tiger reserves, yet the floating scenery and view of the graceful Sangai deer render it one of the nation's most unique wildlife hotspots. For adventurers who look for the different, it is a trek into a land that floats and deer dance.