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Explore the Unexplore
Lake Loktak – The Only Floating Lake in the World
The largest of all freshwater lakes in the Northeast India, Loktak is a nature’s special craft and one of the many unusual wonders of the country. As the water body with innumerable floating islands, called phumdis and made of decomposing masses of soils, vegetations and organic matters, Loktak is the one of its kind in the world. Picturesque beauty and presence of rich biodiversity makes it an excellent spot for holidaying. Why not take a break from the crowded destinations of India and escape to this exotic vista?
Location of the Lake
The lake is located about 40 km. from Imphal, the capital of the Indian state of Manipur. While the city has excellent road and air connectivity through national highways and an international airport, the closest railway station is more than 200 km. away at Dimpur. Taxis and cabs can be hired from Imphal to reach the lake conveniently.
What’s Interesting about Loktak?
- Loktak is the only floating lake ecosystem in the world.
- The phumdis floating on the lake surface serves as settlement grounds for the local tribesmen.
- The southern zone of the lake is home to the only floating national park in the world, named Keibul Lamjao National Park. The majestic state animal brow-antlered deer (of Eld’s Deer family and locally called sangai), which was once thought as extinct, can be explored here. Sambhar, barking deer, hog deer, Indian civet, golden cat, marbled cat, rhesus monkey, hoolock gibbon and several other animals also exist here.
- It is possible to stay over one of the phumdis and enjoy this fascinating canvas of Mother Nature. Some tourist houses have been set up on the islands.
- The lake is also a wetland and an outstanding birding site. Bird lovers get to explore the species like hornbills and migratory waterfowls.
- Loktak, after several decades of the World War II, still hides the wreckage of one British and two Japanese fighter planes that fell into the lake after being shot down.
- Several exciting sports activities like water skiing, wind surfing and sail boating can be enjoyed at the lake.
The reasons cited above are adequate to excite you to choose the multi-faceted Loktak Lake as your destination for a new expedition. November-March is the best time to discover the lake’s charm in its prime.
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