Birds slain by a local hunter in the Mt. lsso area along Manipur-Nagaland border
Photo: Salam Rajesh

Manipur lies between Latitudes 23.80 N to 25.68 N and Longtitudes 93.03 E to 94.78 E.Out of the total 22,327 sq.km area, around 20,571 sq.km of the State is hill area and therest are plain area. The State is practically land-locked in the sense that it is enclosed on all sides by several hill ranges that are mostly North-South extending. There is an ovalshaped valley at the centre, and this is the hub of human settlement. The Loktak lake, which is said to be the largest freshwater lake in the eastern parts of India, is located towards the southern part of the valley. The lake, along with other wetlands in the valley, was feeding ground of several species of migratory birds and fishes. Changes in hydrological regime of the river systems, gradual drying up of wetlands and increased human activities have forced the disappearance of many species of birds and fishes. The Barak and the Manipur river systems play an important role in the biological diversity in the state. The Barak feeds the northern and the western parts, while the Manipur river nourishes the central and the southern parts of the State. Some of the best instances of biological diversity are seen along the courses of these rivers and their several tributaries. The geophysical character of the State is interesting. The diversity ranges between subalpine grassland to humid dry deciduous forests, with the altitude varying between 2,990m MSL and 50m MSL. In a small compact area, one can find both dry and moist deciduous forests, semi-wet and wet evergreen forests, pine and temperate forests. Bamboo is dominant in Tamenglong district, while there is wide spread growth of rhododendron in Ukhrul district. The central Manipur valley is dotted with numerous large and small wetlands while there is a single natural wetland in Ukhrul district.

Manipur in International scenario:
Manipur, along with the other seven northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura form a geographical entity termed as a highly important biodiversity hotspot in the world. This is to say that the region is endowed with mega diversity of flora and fauna some of which are found nowhere else in the world. For instance, the Siroy Lily, Lilium macklineae which flowers in the high peaks of Shirui-Kashong range and the Sangai, Cervus eldi eldi which inhabits Keibul Lamjao, are endemic to Manipur. Geographically, Manipur is located at a strategic point where two major macro-climatic zones merges in seemingly unnoticed transition. The result is a healthy mixed population of flora and fauna that are found in the Indian subcontinent and those found in Southeast Asian countries. One typical site example is the Moulcham area in Chandel district along the Manipur-Myanmar international border, where there are good examples of the floral and faunal types that are found in the Indian mainland and those found in neighbouring Myanmar up
to Indonesia.

Manipur wildlife scenario:
The location of Manipur at the junction of the Indian and the Burmese plates is said to have influenced a wide variety of floral and faunal population. Rare, endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna thrive here. Much wildlife was reported by European explorers, and continue to be reported by researchers in the present times. The Anggo Ching mountain range which forms a natural barrier between Manipur and Myanmar, and which covers the entire stretch of Ukhrul District northsouth, has good forest cover and much wildlife thrive here. It is believed that a small remnant herd of the Sumatran Rhino may be found in this area. The New Somtal area in the southeastern part of Chandel District is a prime habitat of wild cattle and diverse floral species including orchids and tree ferns.Recently, it was reported that the skin of a tiger killed by villagers at Songphei under Tipaimukh block of Churachandpur district was sold for Rs.1.5 lakh. This village is located along the Manipur-Mizoram interstate border. Local sources informed that the tiger used to attack domestic animals of the village. It was also reported that a tiger was recently spotted prowling near Bhalok village of Tamenglong district in the western part of Manipur.Read More