The term ‘Phumdi’ is a Manipuri
word which imply to the floating
biomass of lakes. Its size varies from
a few square feet to hundreds where
small hut can be built and even
sheltered large number of animals.
Phumdi are generally black detritus
heterogeneous floating mass of
vegetation, soil and organic matters at
various stages of decomposition that
has been thickened naturally with
the time. A number of grass varieties
and shrubs grow abundantly on the
phumdi and its biodiversity changes
with time, season and space. The
thickness of phumdi can vary from a
few centimetres to about two meters.
It is very intriguing to understand
the natural process of sustaining
itself. During the dry seasons, as the
water level decreases, the lower part
of phumdi touches the bottom of
the lake wherein it gathers nutrients
and when monsoon arrives, it floats
away along with the increasing level
of water.
Since the earlier days, the association
of the lake with the people in its
surrounding is retold through epics
and legends. In different episode of
the ‘Moirang parva’, a typical legend
of the Moirang kangleirol, we still
delight the epic of Haoba-Konu.
Khuyol Haoba, the hero of the epic
was forced to lead the life of a fugitive
to save the Khuyol tribe. Haoba grew
up in amidst of phumdis and hides
his youthful days in the Loktak Lake
to stay away from the merciless King.
Beyond the stories and its charm,
Loktak Lake, Photo by Kissor Meetei
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