Manipur's Loktak Lake holds the world's only floating national park

Most people picture dense forests, tall mountains and plains when they hear the words national park. But India has one that floats on water, and no other park like it can be seen anywhere else in the world. The park is on Loktak Lake in Manipur and is called Keibul Lamjao.

The most distinctive feature of the park is that it stands on 'phumdi'. Phumdi is a floating structure of vegetation. According to local people, it is a plant that floats on water. Many such phumdis can be seen in the lake, and with their help visitors can tour the lake while floating on the water. The phumdi is formed from vegetation, soil and organic matter that have accumulated over time.

The layers of floating vegetation on the lake have created a unique ecosystem here. This is why the structure of the national park is completely different from other parks. Rare wildlife and water birds live here, so the place is also considered important for biodiversity.

Loktak Lake lies in the eastern part of India. The floating phumdis are its distinctive identity, and some people even live on them. Traditional huts called 'phumsang' can be seen on the phumdis. The view here is very beautiful, and visitors can also take photographs or videos amid nature.

Tourists can enjoy boating and water sports here. A brown-antlered deer, known as the sangai deer, can also be seen, along with many kinds of water birds. For those who love nature and are looking for a quiet place to visit, this floating park could be a good choice.