Natural vegetation occupies more than two-thirds of the total geographical area of the state, and consists of a dizzying variety of plants ranging from short and tall grasses, reeds and bamboos, to rare flowering and aromatic plants and herbs and trees of numerous species.

Broadly, there are four types of forests: dry temperate, tropical semi-evergreen, sub-tropical pine, and tropical moist deciduous. The hills are densely covered with these mixed forests containing stands of bamboo and teak, as well as oak, pine, cane, magnolia and chinquapin. Rice and cash crops make up the main vegetation cover in the valley, as well as grassland meadows, marshes, swamps and scrub forests.  

As part of both the sub-Himalayan and Indo-Burman biodiversity hotspots, Manipur has the richest reservoir of plant life in India, supporting about 50 per cent of the country's entire biodiversity. More than half of India's 17,500 flowering plants hail from the region, around 40% of which are endemic.

Manipur is home to an estimated 500 varieties of orchid, many of which are only found in the state and some of which have yet to be identified/classified. A 2013 survey by the Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of the Eastern Himalayan Region discovered six new orchid species growing in Manipur, one of which was found to have the unique characteristic of having no chlorophyll.

Similarly, the Siroi Lily, the national flower of Manipur, only grows in the upper reaches of the Siroi Hill ranges in Ukhrul District, and only at an elevation of between 1,730 and 2,590 metres. Efforts to grow this lilly elsewhere have proved futile.

Several endemic species of flora are cultivated and conserved by the indigenous peoples of Manipur to preserve their variety, as well as for daily sustenance including food, fodder, shelter and medicine.

The list of fauna of Manipur reads like a Who's Who of endangered species. As Manipur is included in the same zoological zone as the forest region of the Himalayas, with the same gradation from tropical to temperate vegetation, the distribution and character of animal life is similar to the wider region. However, due to its proximity to South East Asia, it also encompasses distinctly Malayan-type fauna with a number of species peculiar to the state.

The most famous of Manipur's endangered animals is the Sangai or brow-antlered 'dancing' deer. In 1951 it was ruled extinct. Happily, a few years later, a small number were found to be living on one of the phumdis on Loktak lake. The deer survived, despite being surrounded by human settlements, partly because of the ease with which they were able to hide within the island's dense grass.

The only ape found in India, the hoolock gibbon, locally known as Yongmu, commonly occurs in all five hill districts of Manipur. Other rare primates include the slow loris, stump-tailed macaque and pig-tailed macaque. Big cats including tiger, clouded leopard and the golden cat are extremely rare, although still found in the remote parts of the state. Leopards are more widespread. Elephants make seasonal migration into the state in the Indo-Myanmar border areas, along the Taret river course and also the western parts from Assam.

The Himalayan Black Bear is another protected animal that occurs all over the hills of Manipur. The rare and elusive Malayan Sun Bear is restricted to the forests in the Indo-Myanmar border areas and the Yaingangpokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary. This animal resembles a Black Bear, except it is smaller and can climb trees with the agility of a monkey!

Land monitor lizards, python, cobra, vipers and tortoise are some of the more common reptiles found in Manipur. Other rare or rarely sighted animals include the pangolin, the binturong (or bearcat), the spotted linsang, the smooth Indian otter, the hog badger and ferret badger, and the Malayan giant squirrel. Many of these animals are endangered species, living a precarious existence in the forests of Manipur due to encroaching human activity.

A variety of rare birds occur in and around Loktak Lake – primarily smaller reed-dwelling species. Waterfowl are becoming a rarer sight due to the reduction of open waters. The hooded crane, the black eagle and the shaheen falcon are also diminishing. The eastern white stork, bamboo partridge, green peafowl and a variety of hornbills are more common sights. Mrs Hume's Pheasant, locally known as the Nongin, is boldly patterned with a long barred tail. The state bird of Manipur, the ease with which it can be trapped has been a major cause of its decline.

The climatic conditions of Manipur are influenced by the topography of the region. The mountain ranges create a moderated climate, preventing the cold winds from the north from reaching the valley and barring cyclonic storms originating from the Bay of Bengal. Depending on the altitude of the hills, the climatic condition varies from tropical to sub-alpine.

During the summer months the maximum temperature is around 32 degree Celsius; in winter the temperature often falls to zero. As a result of the western disturbances (an extra-tropical storm that brings sudden winter rain and snow to northern parts of the subcontinent) the hilly regions sometimes experience snow fall.  

The rainy season is May through mid October. The monsoon varies from light rainfall to heavy showers and the state receives an annual rainfall of about 1500mm. The normal rainfall of Manipur improves the fertility of the soil and facilitates agricultural processes and irrigation. The best time to visit is from October to February when the weather is generally dry.

The present day state of Manipur comprises a complex and shifting mix of ethnic groups, dialects, religions, traditions and social practices. Nevertheless, the age-old geographical division of Manipur into hills and valley continues to provide a useful if somewhat simplistic frame of reference for understanding the major cultural and social distinctions, which characterise the peoples of this ancient land.

The hills and mountainous areas of Manipur are inhabited by more than 30 tribes, the Nagas in the north and the Kuki-Mizo in the south east being the most prominent groups. Largely Christian, following their conversion by missionaries during British colonial rule (1891-1947), these tribes constitute around a third of Manipur's total population, spread across the five Hill Districts of the state.

The Manipur Valley, with the capital Imphal at its centre, is dominated by the Meitei – an ancient people with a singular cultural identity forged out of a history, language, religion and customs dating back thousands of years. The present day Manipur Valley roughly corresponds to the ancient Kingdom of Manipur (or Kangleipak) over which the Meitei kings ruled.

According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the official chronicle of the royal family of Manipur, this dynasty can be traced back two millennia to 33 AD. Most scholars agree that Meitei civilisation is even older: other ancient chronicles, or puyas,  record the start of the Meitei era as 1405 BC, when the legendary king Ningthou Kangba ascended to the throne. Philologists consider Meetei Mayek, the ancient Manipuri script of the puyas, to be at least 4000 years old; while the origins of Meeteilon, the oral language the script represents, remain obscure.

In present day Manipur, Meeteilon (or Manipuri) is the most commonly spoken language and the lingua franca of the state. It is the official language in government offices and taught as a subject up to post-graduate level in universities throughout India.  

Closely related to Sino-Tibetan languages, with lexical resemblances to Kuki and Tangkhul Naga, Meeteilon's exact classification remains unclear. And while categorised by UNESCO as a ‘vulnerable language’, it is spoken in Assam and Tripura, as well as Bangladesh and Myanmar, and is a powerful integrating force among the various ethnic groups of Manipur, who use it to communicate.

Similarly, although Hinduism has been central to Manipuri life for centuries, and Islam, Buddhism and Christianity are all practised by significant sections of the population, it is the Meitei indigenous religion which best defines the identity of Manipur.

Sanamahism is focused on the worship of the Sun God or Sanamahi, interpreted as the eternal force responsible for the creation of all living things. For the Meitei, ancestor worship and animism are incorporated into this belief system: Pakhangba, for example, is both the name of ancestral kings and a dragon/snake god with deer antlers said to inhabit the wild and holy places of Manipur.

Pakhangba and various other governing deities known as Umang Lai are still honoured in virgin forest tracts or 'sacred groves'. The close connection between the Meitei and the land and its life-giving resources is regarded as fundamental to the social fabric of local communities. Lai Haraoba, one of the most important Meitei festivals, held annually in April/May, continues to celebrate this connection and the process of creation of life on earth.

On a more practical level, the sacred groves where these sylvan deities are believed to reside are invariably located in areas of rich biodiversity. Protected by local people since pre-agricultural times, they act as repositories of rare and endemic plant species valued for their healing properties. Conserved and used by Maiba and Maibi (male and female practitioners of Maibarol, the traditional Meitei healthcare system) the value of these medicinal plants has only recently started to be appreciated by Western medical science.

The spiritual life of the Meitei people, even after Vaishnavism (a non-mainstream Krishna-focused form of Hinduism) was declared the official state religion in the eighteenth century, retained many characteristics inherited from their prehistoric ancestors. In fact, the essential aspects of this religion remain recognisable to the present day and are now being practised by an increasing number of Manipuri people.

As well as an autochthonous language and religion, Manipuri society is further bound together by other aspects of its unique cultural heritage. Through traditional music, theatre and dance, arts and crafts, family life and recreational activities, the Meitei continue to maintain enduring links to the past.

For example, the Meitei have always been respected for their strength, bravery and battlecraft, honed during a long history of defending the Valley Kingdom from waves of foreign invaders. Today they express this athleticism and competitive spirit through a variety of traditional sporting activities.  

The Manipuri martial art of Huyen Langlon, which incorporates both armed (Thang Ta) and unarmed (Sarit Sarak) disciplines, requires strength, stamina, speed and agility. Practitioners must also adhere to an ethical code of dueling as passed down through generations in religious songs and legends.

Mukna (wrestling), Khong Kangjei ('foot' hockey), Yubi Lakpi (coconut rugby) and Hiyang-Tannaba (boat racing) are other popular sports. Manipur is also the original home of the modern game of polo or Sagol Kangjei. The oldest polo ground in the world is in the state capital, Imphal.

While the state of Manipur incorporates a diversity of peoples, each with their own longstanding customs and traditions, it is the Meitei culture which most accurately defines modern day Manipur. In fact, it is so pervasive that in social and political discourse and within the media the terms 'Meitei' and 'Manipuri' are virtually synonymous.

Politically, tensions exist between the Meitei and the hill tribes, who see themselves as more closely affiliated to the regions from which they originated (e.g. Nagaland, Mizoram, Myanmar). While their interests are protected by The Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills, many tribal communities still feel under-represented in the policy-making process.  

There has also been significant resistance – from both Meitei and tribal groups – to laws and policies implemented by the Indian central government, which are often regarded as hostile to the traditions and interests of the local inhabitants.  Current opposition to the 'mainland' is largely related to a lack of economic and employment opportunities and perceived threats to local people's land ownership rights and lifestyles.

According to most recent figures, up to 25 per cent of the current population of Manipur is made up of people from other Indian states and illegal migrants from foreign countries. Local inhabitants are concerned that population pressure combined with a lack of effective sustainable development and clear policies to protect Manipur's rich natural resources are contributing to current and future problems for indigenous people.

These ongoing antagonisms have led to nationalist tendencies in Manipur, which have seen various political groups and militant elements try to assert their independence. However, Manipur is and shall remain part of India; insurgency and violent protests are much reduced compared with just a few years ago; and local leaders, businesses, community groups and NGOs are working with the state and national governments to address grievances while helping Manipur realise its full and considerable potential.

The key challenge now is to focus on policies, programmes and projects aimed at developing the state economy, social cohesion and equal opportunities, while conserving the natural resources that make Manipur such a unique and precious place. The Bone and Body Research Centre (BBRC) is committed to these principles: our work in Manipur is based upon preserving and learning from Manipuri culture and contributing to the efforts of those dedicated to the sustainable development of Manipur.

Our activities extend (but are not restricted) to researching, producing, conserving, trialing and marketing new products, knowledge and procedures in healthcare science and medicinal techniques which we believe will provide effective and affordable strategies for the health security of local communities as well as foreign visitors to Manipur.

For more information about BBRC Projects click HERE.

Similarly to the other northeastern Indian states, the economy of Manipur is predominantly agricultural. More than half of the state's total working population is directly engaged in agricultural work - i.e. farming. And while the tertiary (service) sector is becoming increasingly important – driven by growth in markets such as real estate, finance, insurance, transport and communications – the majority of business people still work in agriculture and related industries.

With more than 3000 square kilometres of bamboo forests, Manipur is also one of India's largest bamboo producers (production is over one million tonnes per annum). About 200,000 artisans are engaged in cane and bamboo craft, with various types of forest products sold all over India and exported globally.

Manipur produces considerable quantities of paddy (rice), wheat, maize, pulses, sugarcane and oilseeds such as mustard, groundnut, soybean and sunflower. Other important crops include a numerous variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, roots and tuber, and a plethora of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs.

Traditionally, shifting cultivation or jhumming, where fields are cultivated for a relatively short period and allowed to recover or fallowed, has been the dominant system of farming. More recently, small eco-farms producing organic and specialised produce are becoming increasingly prevalent in Manipur.

 

Manipur’s industrial sector has not developed at the same rate as in the rest of India, largely due to poor local infrastructure and persistent underinvestment. Recently, however, the national and state governments have shown far greater commitment to establishing and developing both local industries and small businesses, and the conditions in which they can flourish.

For example, Manipur has considerable hydroelectric power potential – more than enough to meet local requirements for domestic and industrial use. As a result, the state government has chosen this sector as a focus for development and has invited private companies to invest in a range of projects including the Loktak Hydro Electric Project, the state's main source of power.  

The Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO) is responsible for industrial development in the state, focused on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). An infrastructure development fund to improve education, healthcare, housing, communications and water supply, particularly in rural areas, is proving effective.

It has also supported the establishment of hundreds of small industrial units across various sectors as well as Export Processing Zones in each of the state's nine districts, which has seen Manipur's industrial output grow and diversify significantly. Markets such as cement, plastics, steel, mining, ICT and pharmaceuticals are now contributing an increasing amount to the state’s economy.

Manipur's position as India's 'Gateway to the East' through the border town of Moreh, which is the only land route for trade between India and Myanmar (Burma) and the rest of South East Asia, also highlights its trade and investment potential.  The Indian government has a trilateral agreement with Thailand and Myanmar to construct the Trans-Asian Highway connecting India, through Manipur, to the two countries. As a result, Moreh is set to become a major nodal point for trade with South East Asia.

Four national highways run through the state. The railway line under construction on the Manipur-Assam border is a national priority project. The state capital, Imphal, sits at the centre of the Manipur Valley. It has an international airport with flights to and from major Indian cities including Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore as well as Mandalay in Myanmar. Air India provides air cargo services.

Other smaller-scale and cottage industries such as handicrafts, weaving and handloom products, pisciculture (fisheries) sericulture (silk farming) and, increasingly, tourism also have an important role to play in the Manipur economy.

The handicraft and handloom industry, for example, is a significant revenue generator. Dominated by Manipuri women, major products include bed sheets, curtains, towels, tablecloths, saris and fashion garments with intricate designs.

Khwairamband Bazaar, also known as the Ima Bazaar or Nupi Keithel (literally Mother’s Market) is the main market in Imphal. Owned and operated exclusively by local women, Ima Bazaar has been the focal point of the Manipur Valley community since the sixteenth century. It is one of the largest markets run by women in the world. As well as handloom and handicraft products, all kinds of foods such as wild and farmed vegetables, fermented dried fish (ngari), and other local delicacies are sold here.

Manipur's relative isolation and unparallelled natural beauty coupled with its extraordinary history, culture and traditions frame this “Jewelled Land” as a place of mystery and wonder for even the most seasoned international traveller.  

The state boasts incredible flora and fauna and numerous exotic locations: Loktak Lake is one of the biggest freshwater expanses on the subcontinent and the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the last natural habitat of the rare Sangai ‘dancing’ deer, is the only floating national park in the world.  

Other attractions include the Imphal World War II Cemetery, The Govindaji Temple at Bhagyachandra, the Open Air Theatre, and Kangla Palace – the traditional seat of the Meitei rulers of Manipur.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, 135,000 people visited Manipur in 2012. And while improvements are needed to address the underdeveloped infrastructure and limited transportation and communications options in some parts of the state, Manipur is on the verge of a tourism explosion – particularly in niche areas such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism and medical tourism.

The Manipur Tourism Policy (2014) outlines a range of initiatives to improve the state's entire tourism infrastructure while conserving and protecting Manipur's rich heritage, natural environment and biodiversity, increasing employment opportunities for local people and promoting social integration through the development of remote areas.

There are significant challenges in striking a profitable balance between development and conservation but the signs are that Manipur is on the right track: the planning and regulation of tourism activities in and around Keibul Lamjao National Park and Loktak Lake, in consultation with the Department of Forests, the Department of Ecology and Environment and the Loktak Development Authority, are successfully focusing on key conservation requirements while enhancing the eco-tourism experience for visitors.

Facilities are being developed at the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association, Imphal, the Manipur Adventure and Allied Sports Institute (MAASI) at Keirao and at the Tourist Home located in the Siroi Hills near Ukhrul District headquarters. These associations conduct treks, jungle explorations, mountaineering, rock climbing and other related activities for adventurous visitors.

The Manipur Tourism Policy has also drawn up a comprehensive plan to encourage investors, entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals to work together to boost medical tourism in the state, which it sees as a niche sector with huge potential.  

Doctors, hospital and clinic managers, tour operators, hotels, and insurance agencies all have a role to play. As do national and international organisations such as India Medical Tourism and Health Base which facilitate and coordinate activities among these different players.

Demand for medical tourism can already be seen from visitors from neighbouring States like Mizoram and Nagaland and nearby countries with underdeveloped facilities like Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam who wish to benefit from more advanced technologies and treatment options, lower costs, better nursing facilities and a more personalised service.

In a bid to attract visitors from further afield, the government is developing Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) schemes for investment in med-tour businesses and is looking at the introduction of special Healthcare Visas for overseas visitors. The thinking is that this form of tourism will contribute to the overall tourism economy of the state, and create direct and indirect employment opportunities, enhance income and improve the general quality of healthcare services to local people.