Loktak Lake

Loktak Lake is a freshwater lake in the Nambol block of Manipur state, India, whose surface is covered with circular vegetation masses that resemble floating carpets. These organic structures, called phumdis, drift freely on the water and form a network of green islands that shift with the current.

The valley was transformed in the 1980s when a dam was built, raising the water level and turning the area into a reservoir. This created new economic opportunities but also brought changes to the traditional way of life in surrounding villages.

The name comes from the words lok and tak, which refer to the stream and the end of the river that flows into this basin. Fishermen navigate narrow boats between the floating islands and gather water plants that they use as fodder for livestock.

Access is through nearby towns, from where boats take visitors onto the water. The best time to visit is between November and February, when the air is clear and temperatures remain comfortable.

A national park sits directly on the water and shelters the only population of Sangai deer, which have adapted to life on the floating mats. Visitors can sometimes watch the animals grazing on the green islands, where they search for food among reeds and grasses.