KLNP among UNESCO world heritage site

IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 27: Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), the only floating national park in the world which is the natural home of Manipur brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldii eldii) locally known as Sangai has been accepted among the tentative list of World Heritage Sites by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This was announced by the Director of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dr. VB Mathur while speaking at the valedictory function of the 3-day International workshop on Eld’s deer conservation held under the aegis of state forest department and WII here on Saturday. “The Keibul Lamjao could be India’s next World Heritage Site (Natural site category) recognised by UNESCO,” says Dr. Mathur. “So now we need to prepare to give proper answers on various questions relating to the conservation (for the finalization of World Heritage site tag).” So far UNESCO has recognized Kaziranga, Keoladeo, Manas and Sundarban National Parks besides Nanda Devi & Valley of flowers national parks, Western Ghats and Great Himalayan Natural Park Conservation area as World Heritage Sites (Natural site category) in India. There are 203 sites across the globe in this particular category. The Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area represents an extraordinary story of natural antiquity, diversity, beauty and human attachment. Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area comprises of a core area of KLNP covering 40 sq km and a buffer of Loktak Lake covering 140 sq km and Pumlen Pat (43 sq. km) and it is located in the southern part of Bishnupur district and eastern part of Thoubal district of Manipur, India. Loktak, the largest natural freshwater lake in the north-eastern region of India, which plays an important role in the ecological and economic security of the region, has a unique ecosystem called ‘Phumdi’ (a Manipuri word meaning floating mats of soil and vegetation). The largest area of the Phumdi in the Loktak lake is in the KLNP exclusively consists of floating meadows and an elevated strip of hard ground that dissects the park into northern and southern zones. For effective in-situ conservation of Sangai, Forest Department of Manipur in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India has developed a plan to reintroduce Sangai in the adjoining area having similar habitat.