Loktak Lake is a freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is located in the state of Manipur in Northeast India.
Key facts of Loktak Lake:
• Location: The lake is located near Moirang in the Bishnupur district of Manipur, about 48 kilometers south of Imphal, Manipur’s capital city.
• Biggest freshwater lake: Loktak Lake is the biggest freshwater lake in northeastern India.
• “Floating Islands” (Phumdis): The lake is known for its phumdis, which are floating, heterogeneous mass of vegetable, soil, and organic materials at different decomposition levels. The phumdis float on top of the lake water, providing a unique and vibrant landscape. Some of the phumdis are big enough to support human habitation and called “phumshangs.”
• Keibul Lamjao National Park: On the southwestern side of Loktak Lake is Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world and the last natural habitat of the endangered Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii); also called the “dancing deer” of Manipur. The ecosystem of the park is dependent on the phumdis.
Ecological and Economic Importance:
o Biodiversity Hotspot: The lake and the surrounding wetlands are a biodiversity hotspot and support many species of fish, birds (resident and migratory), and other fauna.
o Water Source: The lake is a critical water source for hydropower, irrigation, and drinking water for the surrounding areas.
o Livelihood: The lake is the lifeline for rural fishermen who live in the surrounding villages and phumdis, relying on the lake for their food security.
Ramsar Site: Loktak Lake was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on March 23, 1990, as a recognition of its ecological importance. It was also listed under the Montreux Record in 1993. The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites in which changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur.
Tourism: With these facts, Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park have become significant tourist attractions in Manipur due to their unique natural beauty and the opportunity to see the Sangai deer in its natural habitat. The Sendra Tourist Home provides a bird’s eye view of the lake. Boating and water sports have become popular.
Threats: The lake is under threat from siltation due to deforestation of the catchment area, pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic sewage, and the changing hydrological regimes and phumdi ecosystems associated with the Ithai Barrage (associated with the Loktak Hydropower Project). Invasive species (especially the water hyacinth) are also major threats to the ecosystem.
