Wildlife in Manipur | Keibul Lamjao, Loktak Lake & Sangai Deer

Manipur, affectionately known as the “Jewelled Land,” is nestled within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot in Northeast India. The state’s topography is uniquely structured, comprising a central, oval-shaped valley surrounded by continuous, jagged ranges of the Patkai and Barail mountains. Experiencing a sub-tropical monsoon climate, Manipur retains an impressive forest cover of over seventy-four per cent of its total geographical area. The vegetation transitions from tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests in the lower river basins (like the Barak and Jiri) to dense, sub-alpine and temperate broadleaved forests in the higher elevations of Ukhrul and Senapati.

The undisputed crown jewel of Manipur’s wildlife is the sangai, or the brow-antlered deer, which is the designated state animal. This critically endangered ungulate is entirely endemic to the Keibul Lamjao National Park, globally celebrated as the only floating national park in the world. The park is situated on Loktak Lake, a Ramsar-designated wetland, and is composed of phumdis—massive, floating islands of decomposing vegetation upon which the sangai has uniquely adapted to walk. Beyond the central valley, the dense hill sanctuaries, such as Yangoupokpi-Lokchao and Jiri-Makru, protect highly elusive species including the western hoolock gibbon, clouded leopard, and Asian golden cat.

Manipur is also a treasure trove of rare avifauna and flora. The state bird, the magnificent Nongin (Mrs. Hume’s pheasant), navigates the high-altitude forests, while the Shirui Hills serve as the sole global habitat for the exquisite Shirui Lily, the state flower. Wildlife conservation in Manipur faces complex socio-ecological challenges. The delicate hydrology of Loktak Lake and its floating phumdis is under severe stress from hydroelectric projects (specifically the Ithai Barrage), while the surrounding hills battle the impacts of traditional jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation and unregulated logging. Despite these hurdles, Manipur offers an unparalleled, deeply niche wildlife experience for wetland ecologists and primate enthusiasts.

Quick Facts Table

Category	Details
State / Union Territory	Manipur
Capital	Imphal
Area	22,327 sq km
Population	2,855,794 (2011 Census)
Forest Cover	74.34%
Official Language(s)	Meiteilon (Manipuri)
Time Zone	UTC+05:30 (IST)
Best Wildlife Season	October to April

State Wildlife Master Table

Attribute	Details
State / Union Territory	Manipur
Capital	Imphal
Geographic Region	Northeast India (Patkai and Barail Ranges)
Total Area	22,327 sq km
Forest Cover	74.34%
State Animal	Sangai / Brow-antlered Deer (Rucervus eldii eldii)
State Bird	Nongin / Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae)
State Tree	Uningthou / Bonsum (Phoebe bootanica / hainesiana)
State Flower	Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae)
Highest Peak	Mount Tempü / Mount Iso (2,994 m)
Major Rivers	Barak, Manipur, Imphal, Iril
Major Forest Types	Tropical Semi-evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Sub-tropical Pine
Biodiversity Hotspot	Indo-Burma
UNESCO Natural Sites	Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area (Tentative List)
Biosphere Reserves	None
Tiger Reserves	None
Elephant Reserves	None
National Parks	Keibul Lamjao, Shirui
Wildlife Sanctuaries	6 Sanctuaries (Yangoupokpi-Lokchao, Jiri-Makru, Bunning, Kailam, Zeilad Lake, Khongjaingamba Ching)
Conservation Reserves	Not officially specified
Community Reserves	Not officially specified
Ramsar Sites	Loktak Lake
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)	Keibul Lamjao, Loktak Lake, Shirui Kashung, Yangoupokpi-Lokchao
Major Wildlife Corridors	Indo-Myanmar Border Corridors
Flagship Mammals	Sangai, Western Hoolock Gibbon, Clouded Leopard, Asian Golden Cat
Flagship Birds	Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, Blyth’s Tragopan, Amur Falcon
Endemic Wildlife	Sangai (strictly endemic sub-species)
Best Wildlife Destinations	Keibul Lamjao NP, Loktak Lake, Shirui Hills, Yangoupokpi-Lokchao WLS
Best Time for Wildlife Tourism	October to April
Nearest International Airports	Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (Imphal)
Official Forest Department Website	manipurforest.gov.in

Protected Areas Summary Table

Protected Area	Category	District	Area (sq km)	Year Established	Famous For
Keibul Lamjao National Park	National Park	Bishnupur	40.00	1977	Sangai (Dancing Deer), Floating Phumdis
Shirui National Park	National Park	Ukhrul	41.30	1982	Shirui Lily, Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, Blyth’s Tragopan
Bunning Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Tamenglong	115.80	1997	Hoolock Gibbon, Clouded Leopard, Orchids
Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Tamenglong	198.00	1989	Asian Elephant, Hoolock Gibbon, Dense Canopy
Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Churachandpur	187.50	1997	Hornbills, Serow, Clouded Leopard
Khongjaingamba Ching WLS	Wildlife Sanctuary	Bishnupur	0.42	2016	Micro-habitat conservation, Hog Deer
Yangoupokpi-Lokchao WLS	Wildlife Sanctuary	Chandel (Indo-Myanmar border)	184.40	1989	Hoolock Gibbon, Malayan Sun Bear, Cross-border fauna
Zeilad Lake Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Tamenglong	21.00	1997	High-altitude Lake, Migratory Birds, Pythons

Wildlife Highlights

Top Mammals: Sangai (Manipur Brow-antlered Deer), Western Hoolock Gibbon, Clouded Leopard, Malayan Sun Bear, Asian Golden Cat, Hog Deer, Serow, Barking Deer.
Top Birds: Nongin (Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant), Blyth’s Tragopan, Amur Falcon (during migration), Bar-headed Goose, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill.
Reptiles & Amphibians: Burmese Python, Keeled Box Turtle, Monitor Lizard.
Flagship Flora: Shirui Lily (endemic to Shirui Peak), Uningthou, diverse native orchids, Bamboo, and Zizania latifolia (a wild grass vital for the Sangai).
Best Wildlife Experiences: Boat safaris through the floating phumdis of Keibul Lamjao to spot the Sangai, birdwatching around the expansive Loktak Lake, and trekking the Shirui Hills during the May-June lily bloom.

Conservation Challenges

Hydrological Disruption: The construction of the Ithai Barrage in 1983 artificially maintains a high water level in Loktak Lake year-round. This prevents the floating phumdis from settling on the lake bed during the dry season to absorb nutrients, causing them to thin, break apart, and threatening the very foundation of the Sangai’s habitat.
Shifting Cultivation (Jhum): The traditional practice of slash-and-burn agriculture by hill tribes severely fragments the dense forested corridors of Tamenglong and Ukhrul, leading to habitat loss for canopy-dwelling species like the Hoolock Gibbon.
Pollution of Loktak Lake: Untreated agricultural runoff (pesticides/fertilisers) and urban sewage from rivers flowing into Loktak Lake severely degrade the water quality, impacting aquatic flora, fisheries, and migratory bird habitats.
Poaching and Snaring: Due to proximity to the porous Indo-Myanmar border, there is a persistent threat of illegal wildlife trade and localised bushmeat hunting targeting pangolins, hornbills, and small carnivores.
Extremely Localised Endemism: The Sangai population is entirely restricted to a single 40 sq km area of floating biomass. Any catastrophic event (disease outbreak or severe flood) could trigger the immediate extinction of the sub-species in the wild.

Responsible Wildlife Tourism

Tread Lightly on Phumdis: When visiting Keibul Lamjao, remain at designated watchtowers or in authorised boats. Never attempt to walk on the phumdis; the biomass is deceptive, easily damaged, and you risk falling through.
Respect Avian Stopovers: During the winter migration, do not use motorised boats near large flocks of waterfowl on Loktak Lake. Use traditional dug-out canoes to minimise noise.
Protect the Shirui Lily: When trekking in the Shirui Hills (especially during the Shirui Lily Festival in May), stay strictly on the marked trails. Plucking the state flower is illegal and destroys its highly restricted natural habitat.
Say No to Wildlife Products: Given the region’s proximity to international borders, tourists must remain vigilant against purchasing any illegal wildlife derivatives, including orchids, animal skins, or traditional medicines.
Support Local Conservation: Engage with local Meitei and tribal community eco-guides. Tourism revenue is a crucial incentive for communities to abandon poaching and support conservation in fringe villages.

Suggested Images

Hero Landscape: An aerial, misty view of Loktak Lake, showcasing the perfect green circular rings of phumdis floating on the vast water body.
Signature National Park: A boat navigating through the thick, floating reeds and tall grasses of Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Flagship Mammal (Endemic): A majestic male Sangai deer (with its unique continuous-curve antlers) carefully balancing and grazing on a floating phumdi.
Flagship Bird: The vibrantly coloured male Nongin (Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant), showcasing its metallic blue neck and barred tail, foraging in the undergrowth.
Flagship Flora: A close-up of the delicate, pinkish-white Shirui Lily blooming against the backdrop of the rolling green Shirui Hills.
Canopy Primate: A Western Hoolock Gibbon swinging through the dense upper canopy of the Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary.

Did You Know?

The Sangai deer is often affectionately called the “Dancing Deer” because of its delicate, bouncing gait as it balances its weight on the spongy, floating phumdis.
Keibul Lamjao National Park is the only floating national park in the world, covering an area of 40 square kilometres entirely composed of biomass floating on Loktak Lake.
The Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae) is an incredibly sensitive plant; it refuses to be transplanted and grows naturally only on the upper reaches of the Shirui Kashung peak in the Ukhrul district.
In Meitei folklore, the Sangai is deeply revered and represents the binding soul between humans and nature.
The Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary sits right on the international border with Myanmar and acts as a vital cross-border genetic corridor for Indo-Chinese fauna entering the Indian subcontinent.
The phumdis in Loktak Lake are formed by an intricate mass of soil, vegetation, and organic matter at various stages of decomposition, and are thick enough to support the weight of humans and large deer.

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