Keibul Lamjao National Park

In News: People protested against move to shift proposed heritage park site in Manipur

Background

• The State govt. had announced that a heritage park would come up near the Keibul Lamjao National Park in Bishnupur district.
• It was expected that the museum of the Indian National Army where the first Indian flag of Independence was hoisted near the Loktak lake and the heritage park will attract tourists from the country and abroad.
• Villagers complained that the government had taken up steps to shift the site to a place six km away from the KLNP.
• And they contend that the people of the proposed site are not associated with steps for the protection of the endangered brow-antlered deer (Sangai) in the KNLP.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

• The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India.
• It is the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.
• The national park is characterized by floating decomposed plant material locally called phumdi.
• It was created in 1966 as a wildlife sanctuary to preserve the natural habitat of the endangered Sangai/Brow antlered deer/Dancing Deer.
• In 1977, it was gazetted as national park

Sangai

• Sangai, Brow antlered deer, Dancing Deer
• It is an endemic species, found only in Manipur
• Sangai is a medium-sized deer, with uniquely distinctive antlers, with extremely long brow tine, which form the main beam.
• State animal of Manipur

Protection Status

• WPA, 1972: Schedule-1
• IUCN: Endangered

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? (2015)

1. Bhitarkanika National Park
2. Keibul Lamjao National Park
3. Keoladeo Ghana National Park
4. Sultanpur National Park