Loktak Lake & Keibul Lamjao — Manipur Floating Park Guide Wildlife Sanctuary

5. The Phumdi Phenomenon & Unique Hydro-Ecological Dynamics

Loktak Lake covers approximately 287 square kilometers in the Bishnupur and Imphal West districts of Manipur, holding the distinction of being the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1990. The hallmark ecological feature of Loktak is the presence of phumdis—floating heterogeneous masses of soil, organic matter, and dense vegetation composed predominantly of grasses, reeds, and emergent macrophytes.

The southern sector of the lake hosts the Keibul Lamjao National Park (40 sq km), the world's only floating national park. Here, the contiguous phumdi mat reaches thicknesses of 1 to 2 meters, creating a buoyant terrestrial biome strong enough to support the endangered Eld's deer or Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii), known locally as the "dancing deer of Manipur."

6. Systematic Avian Census & Winter Migratory Diversity

Over 230 bird species have been documented across the Loktak wetland and peripheral hills:

• Rare & Threatened Waterbirds: Verified records of Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri), Ferruginous Duck, Spot-billed Pelican, and Greater Adjutant Stork.
• Wintering Migratory Waterfowl: Large flocks of Gadwall, Garganey, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, and Ruddy Shelduck foraging across open water sectors between floating phumdis.
• Resident Marsh Specialists: Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Water Cock, Black Bittern, and Yellow Bittern nesting within the dense herbaceous root mats.

7. Conservation Governance, Ithai Barrage & Field Logistics

Ecological management at Loktak faces significant challenges resulting from the construction of the Ithai Barrage, which altered the natural seasonal water level fluctuations and impaired the natural flushing and regeneration of phumdi biomass.

Travel Routes & Field Navigation: Situated 45 km south of Imphal city via NH-2. The primary ecotourism bases are Sendra Island and Moirang town. Traditional non-motorized dugout canoes can be arranged with local fishermen to access secluded birding channels.

8. Avian Ecology & Specialized Micro-Habitats of Floating Phumdis

The ecological architecture of Loktak's phumdis presents a multi-tiered vegetative structure. The core buoyant mat comprises decomposed organic matter bound by the fibrous root networks of Phragmites karka, Saccharum ravennae, Zizania latifolia (wild rice, locally known as Ishinshing), and Leersia hexandra. This spongy mat floats during high water levels and settles onto the lake bed during the dry winter season, absorbing nutrient-rich silt.

For waterbirds, this creates a unique foraging environment. Rallidae species such as the Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea), Slaty-breasted Rail (Lewinia striata), and White-breasted Waterhen forage within the internal root cavities where freshwater crabs, aquatic beetles, and insect larvae proliferate. Open-water leads between phumdis (*pat*) provide calm landing zones for trans-Himalayan Anatidae flocks arriving from northern breeding grounds.

9. Field Birding Protocols, Optic Choices & Photography Guides

Observing birds on a floating wetland requires specialized field techniques. Movement across phumdis must be conducted along marked fisherman pathways with a local guide, as thin vegetative sections can give way under foot. A high-eyepoint 8x42 or 10x42 waterproof binocular is essential for scanning the undulating reeds.

For wildlife photographers, a telephoto lens in the 400mm to 600mm range with optical image stabilization is recommended to compensate for the slight motion of dugout canoes on the water. Dawn excursions (05:45 AM to 08:30 AM) from Sendra Island provide calm waters, low mist, and dramatic golden light across the floating islands.

10. Traditional Thanga & Karang Island Village Culture

The human dimension of Loktak Lake is centered on the inhabited islands of Thanga, Karang, and Ithing, alongside the traditional Khhangpokshang (floating fisherman huts built directly on phumdis). For generations, the Meitei fishing communities have practiced sustainable communal fishing techniques using bamboo fish traps (Kabo-loo) and hand nets.

Visitors can experience this living cultural landscape by staying at eco-homestays on Thanga Island, sampling indigenous freshwater culinary dishes prepared with wild aquatic herbs (such as Yellang and Komprek), and learning about the folk legends of Khamba and Thoibi that are woven into the natural history of the lake.

Responsible community tourism initiatives supported by the Manipur Tourism Forum encourage visitors to participate in morning bird surveys led by local youth, providing direct economic alternatives to commercial gill-netting while fostering long-term protection of wintering waterfowl populations.