Amongst several National parks, sanctuaries that throng the eastern region of India, Khibul Lamjao National Park, which is situated in Manipur state of India, deserves special mentioning. It is highly acclaimed for the preserving Sangai, the endangered specie. It is a `brow-antlered` deer only found in the Khibul Lamjao National Park.

Topography wise, it is full with wilderness, situated thirty-two kms away from Imphal, the park is situated at Logtak Lake lying in the southeastern borders. Once a renowned waterfowl hunting ground, this large lake is surrounded by deep marshlands covered with looming `humus`, `reeds`. In the close vicinity, there is growth of decaying vegetation, known as phumdi, which is 30 to 120 cm in thickness, persisting through most of the monsoon season and also for quite a few months more. Over the years, cultivation has largely decreased the area of these marshes. Keibul Lamjao is the largest existing original habitat of this kind.

The origin of Khibul Lamjao National Park has a rich heritage behind it. The former princes of Manipur gave shelters to the Sangai deer as their own hunting interests extended chiefly to waterfowl. Later, civil conflict left this creature susceptible to become go into desolation. It was supposedly go in to extinction by the year 1951. However, only a couple of years later E P Gee, the famous environmentalist cum photographer, could find quite a few of the Sangai, whom he nicknamed the `dancing deer`. According to him "Keibul Lamjao, is the only floating wildlife sanctuary in the world."

The tourists truly got attracted to this region due to its wealth of wild animals. Among them, Sanghai forms the key attraction. There are less than hundred Sangai in the wild, and also there are chances of looking a few in the route of an easy ride in small boat in any of the ditches. The Sangai has made to order wonderfully to live life at ease in this area, and is often found to graze away in the `phumdi` before jumping on to the surrounding hard grounds. The phumdi has rich natural soil fitting for clusters of grasses and reeds. Over and over again it produces more than a few meters tall and are foodstuff for the deer. When the water level rises, the Sangai move to the low hills that attain generally 40 to 50 m above the phumdi. Chingiao Hill is the highest point in Khibul Lamjao National Park. It is situated in the top of Pabot Hill and the watching tower that is located there creates a marvelous view of Keibul-Lamjao.

Other mammals seen here are the Fishing Cat, the Hog-deer and the Wild Boar. There have been reported sightings of Leopard. The Common Otter, Clawless Otter, Large and Small Indian Civets have also been observed. Nearly hundred species of birds, including waterfowl, herons, rails, crakes and kingfishers, can be observed here.

Other mammalian species include brow-antlered deer, fishing cat, leopard, hog deer, wild Boar, common otter, large Indian civet, small Indian civet etc.

There are bird raptors including Pallas`s Fish Eagle, Grey headed Fish Eagle, Pied Harrier, Eurasian Marsh Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel etc.

In the open areas, wonderful species include Red Junglefowl, Manipur Bush Quail, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Lesser Coucal, Striated Grassbird, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, and Collared Myna.

Along the side of the water bodies, Greylag Goose, Fulvous Whistling-duck, Bar-headed Goose, Falcated Duck, Ruddy Kingfisher. Darter, Chinese Pond Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Black Bittern, Great Bittern, Great Crested Grebe, Spot-billed Pelican, Black Strork, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant etc are found in large numbers.

To abide by the motto of preserving the wild habitats, the concerned authorities take actions that are necessary. Rampant developmental projects, social unrest, agriculture, fishing, livestock grazing and poaching make threats to wipe out its delicate world.