Yangoupokpi - Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandel

Yangoupokpi - Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandel Overview

Founded in 1989, this wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 185 sq km and is home to multiple species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians as well as fish. This sanctuary is one the nine identified Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Manipur. The IBA is of critical importance for environmental conservationists and bird watchers as it is the only place where the endangered Green Peafowl can still be sighted.

It is also one of those rare forests where communities of people live in tandem with nature. Seven forest villages are presently housed in the sanctuary and the villagers are dependent on the natural resources of the forest for their livelihood. The sanctuary is located at the India-Myanmar border, housing a mix of riverian and terrestrial ecosystems.

Flora

Many rare varieties of wild orchid grow here, most of them unknown to the world at large. Other trees forming the forest cover are Dipterocarpus turbinatus (Gurjan), Tectona grandis (Teak), Melanorrhoea Usitata (Burmese Lacquer), Terminalia Chebula (Black Myrobalan), Emblica Officinalis (Indian Gooseberry), Cedrella toona (Indian Cedar), Quercus spp (Oak), Bauhinea, Dillenia, and different varieties of bamboos.

Fauna

The wildlife sanctuary is home to 42 mammal, 74 bird, 29 reptile, 6 amphibian, and 86 fish species. Hoolock gibbon, the only variety of Ape in India is found here. Other animal species sighted here are the Barking deer, Bison, Sambar, Leopard, Migratory Indian elephant, Pangolin, Jackal, Wild boar, Bear, Jungle cat, Flying Squirrel, Serow, Martens, Serow, and Stump tailed macaque. Snow Leopards and Golden Cats, which make rare appearances during the night, are also found here. Around the border area, the extremely rare Malayan Sun Bear can also be found. A whole lot of birds fly around the jungle, including Jungle fowl, Hawk, Parakeet, Green pigeon, Mrs. Humes barred backed pheasant, Blyths tragopan; Owl, Green peacock, Wild pigeon, Hornbills, Cuckoo, Indian drongo, and Myna. Many reptiles also ramble about in the sanctuary, such as Tortoise, Viper, Cobra, Krait, Land Monitor Lizard, Rat Snake, Varanus, Green Snake, and Buff Striped Keelback. Some amphibians found here are the Indian Bullfrog, Tree Frog, and Common Toad.