Keibul Lamjao National Park - The Floating Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Manipur, north eastern state of India
Best Time To Visit: December-January
Main attraction: Endangered Brow Antlered Deer and endangered species of Python

About The Park:
The Keibul Lamjao National Park is the last natural habitat of the Manipur brow antlered deer. This deer is locally known as 'sangai'–the dancing deer of Manipur. The National Park covers an area of 40 sq km and was given the titles of Wildlife Sanctuary in 1966 and National Park in1977. It is located in the south eastern region of the Loktak Lake, the largest lake in the North East India. It is a beautiful floating wildlife sanctuary. The striking feature of this sanctuary is the floating decomposed plant material locally known as 'phoomdis'. About 80 % of the flora is submerged in water.

Keibul Lamjao National Park provides shelter to endangered species of Python, Python molurus. A major part of the lake lies within the Park and the lake was protected and declared a sanctuary in 1953. The aim behind it was to protect the sangai or Brow Antlered Deer which was almost on the verge of extinction. The Park remains open from October to May. The months of November and March offer great views of migratory birds.

Apart from the fantastic brow-antlered deer , the park houses hog dear, sambar, muntjac, stump-tailed macaques, Hoolock gibbon, Rhesus monkey, the large Indian civet and wild boar.

How To Reach:
Air: The nearest airport is at Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. It is around 53 km from the Park.
Rail: Dimapur is the nearest railway station.
Road: A good network of road connects Imphal with Guwahati and Silchar.