Key Facts
- Location: A state in northeastern India, bounded by Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south, and Assam to the west. It also shares borders with Myanmar, specifically the Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the south.
- Historical Trade Route: Manipur has long been connected as a trade route between the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China (or East Asia), Siberia (Russia), Micronesia, and Polynesia.
- Climate Variation: The state’s climate varies from tropical to sub-alpine, depending on the altitude of hill ranges.
- Biodiversity: Manipur is rich in biodiversity, with wet forests and pine forests found between 900-2700 meters above mean sea level. It hosts rare and endemic plant and animal species, including the Siroi Lily, Hoolock Gibbon, Sloe Loris, Clouded Leopard, Spotted Linshang, Mrs. Hume’s Barbacked Pheasant, Blyths Tragopan, Burmese Pea-Fowl, and four different species of Hornbills.
- Sangai, the Dancing Deer: Manipur is known for the Sangai, a unique and endemic deer species that inhabits the floating mass of vegetation on Loktak Lake, known as Phumdi. Unfortunately, the Sangai is one of the most threatened Cervids in the world.
- Lengwa: The Salamander, locally known as ‘Lengwa,’ is found at the foothills of Siroi in Ukhrul.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| State Animal | Sangai |
| State Bird | Nongyeen |
| State Tree | Uningthou (Phoebe hainesiana) |
| State Flower | Siroi Lily |
| Tribes | Aimol, Angami, Gangte, Koirao, Lamgang, Maring, Monsang, Purum, Ralte, Suhte, Thadou, Zou, Tarao, Kharam |
| Festivals | Lai-Haraoba, Yaoshang (Dol Jatra), Ratha Jatra, Ramjan Eid, KUT (Kuki-chin-Mizo), Gang-Ngai, Chumpha, Christmas, Cheiraoba, Hekru Hidongba, Ningol Chakouba, Lui Ngai Ni, Kwak Jatra |
| Art & Dance | Ras Lila, Nupa Pala, Pung Cholom, Maibi dance, Khamba Thoibi dance, Thang-Ta Martial Art Form, Manipuri Classical Dance |
| Handicrafts | Heijing Kharai, Phiruk & Lukmai |
| Handlooms | Wangkhei, Bamon Kampu, Kongba, Khongman, Utlou |
| Sports | Mukna (a popular form of wrestling), Yubi lakpi (traditional full-contact game), Oolaobi (outdoor game) |
| Rivers | Barak River Basin (Barak Valley), Manipur River Basin, Yu River Basin, Lanye River Basin |
| Dams | Thoubal Dam, Singda Dam, Khuga Dam, Khoupum Dam |
| Lakes | Loktak Lake (the only floating lake in the world, largest freshwater lake in Northeast India) |
| Valley | Dzüko Valley (bordering Manipur and Nagaland, with a temperate climate) |
| Protected Areas | Keibul Lamjao National Park (the only floating national park in the world), Khongjaingamba Ching WLS, Yangoupokpi-Lokchao WLS |
| Ramsar Site | Loktak Lake |
| GI Tags | Shaphee Lanphee, Wangkhei Phee, Moirang Phee, Chak-hao (black rice), Raw / Kachai lemon |
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