The World’s Only Floating National Park Is Located In India

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Incroyable

Bishnupur, a district of Manipur is home to a fascinating lake, Loktak Lake. It is the largest freshwater lake in north-east India is famous for phumdis (floating swamps) floating over it. But it is not the only thing floating over it, there is also a National Park floating over it named Keibul Lamjao National Park. The park was formed to preserve many of the endangered species i.e Manipuri brow-antlered deer called Sangai indigenous to this area, 233 species of aquatic plants, 100 species of birds and 425 species of animals including the Indian python and sambhar.

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Economic Role

This ancient lake also plays an important role in the economy of Manipur. It serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. The lake is noted as important sources of livelihood for the rural fishermen who live in surrounding areas. The Loktak Multipurpose Project provides numerous benefits but has attracted the adverse criticism for the drastic alteration caused by the project.

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Threats

The Loktak Lake and its precincts have faced serious problems. The distress situation in the lake is due to shifting agriculture, extensive deforestation, and unscientific land use practices in the catchment areas which bring a large amount of silt to the lake. To address all the issues raised on the health of the lake, Government of Manipur has set up the Loktak Development Authority with the objective to enable administration, control, protection, improvement, conservation and development of the natural environment of the lake and for matter concerned thereto.

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