Manipur is the famous state of India which is consecrated with rich species of flora and fauna. This popular tourist destination is enclosed with a wide range of national park and wildlife sanctuary. The state is nestled in the northern eastern part of the country which is renowned for its lush green forest and vegetations. There are several attractions that are worth visiting while on tour to Manipur. The state government and also other organization have contributed a lot of revenue to construct the land into a wildlife sanctuary or national park. The national parks and other zoo are the leading tourist attraction in India.
Tourists from all around the world come here to experience their adventurous vacations who are aficionado to wildlife. In India, there are various different kinds of state that are placed to particular direction which are also famous for some or the other attraction. But among all of them the most popular destination and first choice of tourist is the Manipur state.
Keibul Lamjao National Park
The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a famous attraction for the visitors who hail here for exploring the wildlife of Manipur state. The park bestows a wide range of rich species of mammals, birds, and flora or vegetation. There are various species of mammals that reside here which are worth watching. Among all of them, the most common animals you can spot are the monkey, Hoolock gibbon, wild cats, deer, and many more. Apart from the numerous species of mammals, the well renowned is the Sangai deer which is one of the famous attractions of this national park.
There are different types of deer species including Thamin deer, hog deer, sambar, Sangai, and muntjac. The Sangai deer species is the most famous one which is known as the ‘dancing deer of Manipur’ by the local village people. The Keibul Lamjao National Park also covers a large portion of wetland which is due to the Loktak Lake. The lake contains freshwater where a number of wild beast and birds come to quench their thirst. So this lake is the most popular spot in this national park where you can easily spot the species of animals and birds. A most visited site in the state of Manipur during the month of November to April.
- Address: Keibul Lamjao Rd, Manipur-795133
- Established: 28 March 1977
- Area: 40 km2
- Timings: 9am – 6pm
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: March to October
- What to see: Musk shrew, hog deer, bay bamboo rat, flying fox, large Indian civet, common otter, fox, jungle cat, sambar, wild boar, Asian golden cat, common shrew etc.
- How to reach: Nearest airport- Imphal airport (53 km), nearest railhead- Dimapur railway station (215 km), by bus- Bishnupur (28).
Also Read: Popular Religious Places in Manipur
Manipur Zoological Garden
Another most famous destination to witness if you are planning to have your vacation in Manipur state is the Manipur Zoological Garden. The zoo is located in the district of Imphal which lies at a distance of six kilometer. This garden also preserves a number of wild beast species that mostly dwell here. The most common animal species that visitors can spot here are the brow antlered deer which is also known as the Sangai deer. This deer species is simply called as ‘the dancing deer of Manipur’ by the village people. Apart from it, this garden also is a habitat for around 420 wild animal species and over 55 different types of bird species which you can spot while exploring in this place.
Tourist come here from all corners of the world including the international and residence that hail here to witness this zoo. The Manipur Zoological Garden protects a huge number of wild beast species in this shelter under the protection act of Scheduled I and II. This place is perfect for the adventure enthusiastic where they can experience thrill and excitement by indulging in various activities. There are several areas like the stunning hillocks, where you can trek, climb, or watch the beautiful two winged birds. The zoo is open all days of the week but is closed on Monday.
- Address: RV8R+PCP, Lamphelpat, Imphal, Manipur 795004
- Established: 2nd October, 1976
- Area: 68 hectares
- Timings: 9am – 5pm
- Entry Fee: Rs.400
- Best time to visit: March – November
- What to see: Himalayan Bear, Leopard Cat, Python, Hoolock Gibbon, Slow Loris, Flying Squirrel, Thamin deer etc.
- How to reach: Nearest airport- Tulihal Internationl Imphal Airport (10 km), nearest rail-head- Dimapur railway station (215 km).
Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary
Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary is found at Makoi close to Tamenglong has a beautiful lake. The primary fascination of the lake is various pythons, tortoises, fishes and water birds reside here.
Location: It is found in Tamenglong District, Manipur.
Specification: Commonly known for its lake. Seven steps ‘Barak waterfall’ is the extra adjacent fascination.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: Includes Magnolia champaca, Toona ciliate, Schima wallichii, Gmelina arborea, Mesua ferrea, Artocarpus hirsutus, Mangifera indica, Castanopsis hystrix, Bombax ceiba and so on. Sticks and bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) are also discovered in the Sanctuary.
- Fauna: Incorporates Tiger, Leopard, modest Indian civet, Leopard feline, little Indian civet, Common Langur, Hoolock gibbon, Great Indian Hornbill and yelping deer and so forth.
- Birds: The sanctuary is home migratory birds incorporating hawk.
- Reptiles: Snakes, turtles.
Best time to visit: The best season to visit this sanctuary is at winter and March – April for migratory birds.
Accommodation: Forests Rest House – Tamenglong and PWD I.b – Tamenglong are the places which accessible for settlement.
How to Reach:
- By Road: It is a trip of 135 km from Imphal through Sempang and Bongaigaon, you can reach Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Jiri Makru Wildlife Sanctuary
Jiri Makru Wildlife Sanctuary is popular for its varied vegetation and animals seen here is a delightful place to visit for tourists.
Location: Located near Tamenglong in Manipur.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: The sanctuary has mixtures of vegetation, like Michelia champaca, Adina cordifolia, Toona ciliate, Schima wallichii, Parkia Javanica, Gmelina arborea, Mesua ferrea, Tetrameles nudiflora, Neolamarckia cadamba, Alnus nepalensis, Juglans regia, Litsea monopetala, Terminalia, myriocarpa, Pterospermum acerifolium and so forth. Sticks and bamboo (Melocanna Bambusoides) are discovered in the Sanctuary.
- Fauna: Fauna incorporate Hoolock gibbon, langurs, spotted linsang, bear, yelping deer, sambar, panther, jackal, pangolin, wild pig, bush feline, flying squirrel, angling feline, pythons, Boas, Clouded panther, Slow loris, Hog badger, Serow, Pied and Great Indian Hornbill, tiger and occasional relocated elephants from Assam and so on.
Best time to visit: The best season to visit this sanctuary is in winter.
How to Reach
- By Road: 183 Km by road to arrive at the Jiri Makru Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sirohi National Park
Sirohi National Park is known for its beautiful excellence, flawless atmosphere and the extraordinary Shirui Lily.
Location: Located at District Ukhrul.
Specification: It is the home of one of a kind and endemic ground lily “Lilium mackliniae”.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: Includes 5 Quercus species and Rhododendron, Shiroi Lily, Michelia anipurensis, Magnolia campbellii, pinus kesiya, Castanopsis species, Phoebe hainesiana are seen here.
- Fauna: Significant fauna Animals includes Hoolock gibbon, Himalayan wild bear, Barking deer, sambar, Leopard, Jackal, Migratory Indian elephant, Indo-Myanmar,, Pangolin, Wild hog, Jungle feline, Flying squirrel, martens, Clouded panther, Golden feline, Slow loris, Hog badger, serow, Stump tailed macaque, Bison, Otter, etc.
- Birds: – Jungle fowl, Parakeet, Blyth’s tragopan, Horn bills and so forth.
- Amphibians: – Salamandar
- Reptiles: – Python, cobra and so forth.
Best Time to Visit: May & June.
Accommodation: Guests can suit in
- Forest Rest House, Moreh.
- Forest I.b, Wildlife Office, Moreh .
- Indo-Myanmar Trade Center R/h, Moreh.
How to Reach
- By Road: 110 Km by road from Imphal, you can reach Shiroi National Park.
Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary
Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1989. This sanctuary holds varied types of natural life.
Location: Located on the Indo-Myanmar border close to Moreh.
Specification: The unique feature of the sanctuary is its varied diversity.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: Bamboos are found abundantly in Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary. This area contains several species of Dipterocarpaceae. Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary has good collection of flora species such as dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Tectona grandis, Melanorrhoea usitata, terminalia chebula, emblica officinalis, Cedrela toona, Cedrela serrata, Quercus spp, Bauhinia spp etc. Important species of Bamboos that are grown in this area are Melocanna, Bamboo etc.
- Fauna: Includes Hoolock Gibbon, Wild bear, Himalayan mountain bear, Indian Civet feline, Common Otter, Pangolin, panther and so forth, 29 types of reptiles which incorporate Tortoise, Viper, Krait, Cobra, Python, Land Monitor Lizard, 86 types of fishes and 6 types of creatures of amphibians.
Best Time to Visit: October to April.
Accommodation: Accommodation for overnight is accessible at one of the emulating Rest Houses:
- Forest Rest House, Moreh.
- Indo-Myanmar Trade Centre Rest House, Moreh.
- Transit Camp at Wildlife Office, Moreh.
How to Reach:
The Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary is placed on the Indo Myanmar outskirt, extremely near the town. Visitors can employ a taxi/cab to achieve the destination. Private / Govt. transports are additionally accessible, You can reach Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary.
Burning Wildlife Sanctuary
Burning Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the region of four rivers. It is flourished with differed blooming herbs and bushes, bamboo orchids blended with wild lilies.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: It includes Magnolia champaca, Toona ciliata, Schima wallichii, Gmelina arborea, Mesua ferrea, Artocarpus hirsutus, Mangifera indica, Terminalia myriocarpa and so forth. Sticks and bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) are discovered in the Sanctuary.
- Fauna: Includes Barking deer; Sambar; Leopard; Jackal; Pangolin; Wild pig; Tiger; Jungle feline; Martens; Clouded panther; Golden feline; etc.
Best time to visit: The best season to visit this sanctuary is in winter.
Accommodation: Tamenglong’s Forest Rest House and PWD lodge.
How to Reach: It is at a distance of 172 Km by road from Imphal.
In case, you are planning to have your vacation here, make sure you check out the entry and exit time which is necessary to know for avoiding troubles. You can also explore these national parks or wildlife sanctuaries of Manipur with the aid of the tour guide. This guide will escort you to the main spots where a large amount of wild beast species reside or wander in the parks or sanctuaries. It is worth to visit these capital cities of Manipur to experience a thrilling and adventurous wildlife of this state.
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