Nature’s Unique Floating Ecosystem Explained

Loktak Lake in Manipur, India, is renowned for its remarkable “moving” islands known as phumdis. These floating masses of vegetation, soil, and organic materials drift across the lake’s surface, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. The largest of these phumdis even forms the foundation of Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating national park.

Life around Loktak Lake revolves around these unique islands. Communities have adapted to living on or near phumdis, using boats to travel and fishing as a main livelihood. The constant movement and transformation of the islands make Loktak Lake both a natural wonder and a crucial part of local culture.

The lake and its moving islands remain a fascinating subject for travelers, scientists, and anyone interested in rare ecosystems. Visitors find the blend of ecology and human life at Loktak Lake both captivating and distinctive in the Indian subcontinent.

Overview of Loktak Lake

Loktak Lake is a unique natural landmark known for its floating islands, local biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Its distinctive features and strategic position make it one of the most significant freshwater bodies in Northeast India.

Geographical Significance

Loktak Lake is located in the state of Manipur, Northeast India, and is recognized as the largest freshwater lake in the region. It lies near the town of Moirang, about 39 kilometers south of Imphal, Manipur’s capital. The lake spans an area of roughly 287 square kilometers, though water levels and the boundaries shift seasonally.

An aerial view of Loktak Lake in Manipur, India, reveals a landscape dotted with floating masses called phumdis. These are unique to the lake and distinguish Loktak from other freshwater bodies. The wetland ecosystem supports a wide range of flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else in the region.

The lake has immense ecological and economic importance. It serves as a critical resource for local communities, providing water for irrigation, fishing, and even hydropower generation. Loktak also supports the only floating national park in the world: Keibul Lamjao National Park, which is vital for the endangered Sangai deer.

Major Features

One of Loktak Lake’s most remarkable features is its moving phumdis. These floating islands are composed of tangled vegetation, soil, and organic matter. They drift slowly across the water, sometimes forming new shapes and sizes, which creates a dynamic waterscape seen in many aerial views of Loktak Lake and its landscapes.

Phumdis not only support wildlife habitats but are also lived on and used by local residents. Fishermen build huts atop these floating islands, adapting their lives to the constantly shifting environment. The presence of phumdis allows for types of fishing and agriculture unique to Loktak Lake, such as athaphum fishing.

In addition to its ecological role, the lake is central to cultural identity in Manipur. Its scenic vistas and ever-changing islands attract visitors interested in learning about traditional livelihoods and experiencing the serene landscapes at Loktak Lake, Manipur, India. The combination of natural movement, biodiversity, and human adaptation defines the lake’s major characteristics.

Phumdis: The ‘Moving’ Islands

Phumdis are large, floating masses of vegetation seen only in Loktak Lake. They are vital for both the local ecosystem and communities, forming unique habitats and supporting rare wildlife.

Formation and Structure

Phumdis are naturally formed from a mix of soil, decomposed organic matter, and living and dead vegetation. Over time, these components intertwine and consolidate into buoyant islands. Some phumdis can span several square kilometers, while others are much smaller in size.

A typical phumdi has two distinct layers:

Upper Layer: Made mostly of living plants and green grass.
Lower Layer: A dense mat of decomposed organic material and soil.

This layered structure allows the phumdis to float while still supporting weight. Local communities often build fishing huts on larger phumdis, taking advantage of their stability.

Ecological Importance

Phumdis play a central role in Loktak Lake’s biodiversity. One of the most significant contributions is providing a habitat for the endangered Sangai deer, also known as the brow-antlered deer. The Keibul Lamjao National Park, designated as a floating national park, rests entirely on one of the largest phumdis.

Phumdis also support numerous fish species, invertebrates, and aquatic plants. These islands act as nurseries for fish, helping to sustain the local fishing economy. Migratory birds frequent the phumdis for feeding and nesting, making the area important for bird conservation.

Movement and Seasonal Dynamics

Phumdis are not fixed; they drift and shift positions within Loktak Lake, especially due to wind and water currents. Seasonal changes in water levels influence their buoyancy and movement. During the monsoon, phumdis become more buoyant and disperse across the lake. In the dry season, reduced water levels can cause some sections to settle or partially rest on the lakebed.

This movement affects access for fishing and transportation and has ecological impacts, such as altering animal migration paths or plant distribution. Traditional knowledge helps local people adapt their practices as the floating landscape changes throughout the year.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Loktak Lake in Manipur is deeply intertwined with the daily life, culture, and history of the people living around it. Its floating islands, or phumdis, play a unique role both in community traditions and in the sustainability of local livelihoods.

Role in Local Communities

The people living around Loktak Lake rely on it for transportation, food, and their cultural identity. Several villages, such as the Sendra Island fishing village, have developed on or near the phumdis, making use of the lake’s unique geography.

Festivals, rituals, and daily routines often connect to the lake. The communities show a strong sense of stewardship, balancing their livelihoods with the need to protect the natural floating islands. Loktak is a source of pride for Manipuri society, with many oral histories and local legends centered around its moving islands.

The lake is also vital for water supply and irrigation in the region. It supports not just humans but also diverse wildlife, including birds and the endangered Sangai deer that live on the floating phumdi in Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Traditional Fishing Practices

Fishing is central to life on Loktak Lake and a key source of income for many households.

Families use athaphums (circular fish enclosures made of phumdi and bamboo) and traditional fishtraps specifically suited to the lake’s floating and shifting features. These methods allow harvest without heavy infrastructure, which helps preserve the ecosystem.

Fishing communities have developed cooperative practices to manage fish stocks. The design and placement of traps and enclosures often change as the phumdis move and reshape the water ecosystem.

Sendra Island and similar fishing villages are hubs of these traditions. Locals pass their knowledge through generations, combining indigenous skills with small boats to navigate and fish among the constantly shifting islands.

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Loktak Lake supports a unique blend of ecosystems with diverse plant and animal life. Its floating phumdis and wetlands provide critical habitats for rare and endangered species, making the lake a vital ecological treasure in northeastern India.

Keibul Lamjao National Park

Keibul Lamjao National Park is the world’s only “floating” national park. It covers about 40 square kilometers and sits atop dense phumdis on the southern part of Loktak Lake.

The park is famous for its unique floating biomass which constantly moves with the water, creating a dynamic landscape. This habitat supports a wide variety of flora, including over 230 plant species. Mammals, reptiles, and numerous bird species are commonly found within its boundaries.

Visitors to the park may see rare waterfowl and migratory birds during different seasons. Keibul Lamjao plays a critical role in preserving the fragile wetland ecosystem that sustains Loktak Lake.

Endangered Species

The park is renowned for being the last natural refuge of the Sangai, or Manipur brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldii eldii). The Sangai is Manipur’s state animal and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Other notable residents include the Indian python, sambhar, and barking deer. The lake area also supports more than 425 animal species and around 100 bird species, many of which are rare or threatened by habitat loss.

Preservation of these species depends closely on maintaining the balance of the floating phumdis. Poaching and habitat disturbances put additional stress on these vulnerable populations.

Unique Aquatic Ecosystems

Loktak Lake’s floating islands, or phumdis, are made of tangled vegetation, soil, and organic matter. They shift position throughout the year, creating an ever-changing aquatic environment.

These islands and wetlands provide breeding grounds for fish, such as migratory species that travel from the Chindwin-Irrawaddy river system. Aquatic plants, mollusks, and amphibians thrive here, forming complex food webs.

This unique setup supports both economic activities, like fishing, and wildlife habitats. Changes in water level, pollution, and human activities can threaten these delicate aquatic systems if not managed carefully.

Tourism and Attractions

Loktak Lake attracts visitors with its unique floating islands, local culture, and scenic viewpoints. Tourists arrive from across India and abroad to explore its natural and cultural treasures, particularly near Imphal in Manipur.

Popular Tourist Spots

The Loktak Lake region features a wide range of attractions, with the floating "phumdis" (masses of vegetation and soil) as the main highlight. Visitors can take small boats to get a closer look at these moving islands and observe local fishermen at work.

Not far from the lake lies the Keibul Lamjao National Park, home to the rare and endangered Sangai deer. This park is the world’s only floating national park, offering guided walks and the chance to spot wildlife in its natural habitat.

Near Imphal, viewpoints such as the Sendra Island viewpoint offer panoramic vistas of the lake and its surroundings. Cultural experiences, local food, and handicraft markets add to the appeal for those exploring Manipur.

Sunset Views and Sightseeing

Watching the sunset at Loktak Lake is a major highlight for tourists. The reflection of the sky on the water, with silhouettes of floating islands, creates striking photo opportunities for visitors in the evening.

Boat rides during sunset allow travelers to see the gradual changes in light across the lake’s surface. As the sun sets behind the hills of Manipur, the atmosphere becomes calm and picturesque.

Sightseeing activities often include visits to small villages around the lake. Here, tourists can learn about traditional fishing, the local Meitei community, and sustainable living practices unique to this area of India.

Conservation Challenges

Loktak Lake and its unique phumdis face serious conservation issues caused by both natural and human-made factors. The situation demands targeted preservation actions to protect the lake’s ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.

Environmental Threats

Loktak Lake in Manipur is threatened by several environmental pressures. One main issue is the shrinking of water levels due to the construction of hydroelectric projects, which disrupts the natural movement of the phumdis. Lower water levels cause these floating islands to dry out, affecting their ecological function.

Fisheries in the lake are impacted by water pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, and untreated sewage. The degradation of phumdis also leads to habitat loss for migratory birds and native fish. Invasive plant species, such as water hyacinth, further challenge the delicate balance of the lake’s ecosystem.

Heavy siltation from the catchment area clogs waterways and reduces the overall depth of the lake. Climate change and unregulated encroachment for agriculture and settlements increase the stress on Loktak Lake, accelerating the decline in biodiversity and habitat quality.

Preservation Efforts

Authorities and local communities have taken steps to conserve Loktak Lake. The establishment of the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) seeks to manage resources and restore ecological health. Projects have included the removal of invasive plants and the rehabilitation of degraded phumdis to maintain water quality and fish habitats.

Community-based initiatives are crucial. Local fishers and residents have collaborated with non-governmental organizations to monitor water pollution and promote sustainable fishing practices. Education and outreach programs aim to increase awareness about the importance of the lake and phumdis.

To control silt inflow, soil conservation projects are in place in the catchment areas. Plans to regulate hydrological regimes and reduce unplanned land use have also been suggested. These efforts are important for the long-term preservation of Loktak Lake and the livelihoods of those in Manipur who depend on it.

The Moving Island of Loktak Lake, India