The vast swampy delta of the two Great Indian
rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Ganga, extend over a vast
area.
Mangrove forests, swamps and forested islands are interwoven
with a network of small rivers and rivulets.
Bangladesh lies to the east of the Park and it is estimated
that the combined population of tigers in the region could
well be about 400 in number. Adapting itself to the saline
and watery environment, the tigers at the Park are good swimmers
and practically amphibious! Traversing the mangroves by motor
launch is quite an experience, for the area is completely
unspoiled and very different from the more conventional wildlife
park.
The estuarine crocodile is often seen along the mud banks
but owing to the dense undergrowth the tiger is rarely sighted.
The Park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley
sea turtle.
This unusual wilderness is the home of the Sangai or Manipur
brow-antlered deer.
Once a hunting reserve for water fowl, the tiny park is just
40 sq. km. in area. It was declared a sanctuary in 1954 when
numbers of the highly localized Sangai became dangerously
depleted.
The graceful deer, noted for their curved antlers, live on
the floating vegetation on the Logtak Lake, 32 km south of
Imphal.
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