Loktak Lake:
The northeastern state of Manipur contains the amazing freshwater body of Loktak Lake, known for its perfect circular floating islands called phumdis.
- It is located in the state of Manipur.
- It is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
- The lake is famous for its phumdis.
- Phumdis are unique, heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter that float on the water’s surface.
- Only 20% of a phumdis’ thickness floats above the water surface; the other 80% remains submerged.
- The floating masses are strong enough to support fishing huts, human settlements, and animal habitats.
- The Keibul Lamjao National Park is an integral part of the lake. It is the world’s only floating national park.
- The park is best known as the habitat of the endangered sangai deer, also called the brow-antlered deer, which is native to Manipur.
- Rivers like Khuga, Western, Nambul, Imphal, Kongba, Iril, Thoubal, Heirok, and Sekmai drain into this lake.
- It was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990.
- It features under the Montreux Record in 1993, “a record of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur”.
- It supports hydropower, fisheries, transport, and tourism.
