Zaimeng Lake : High altitude fresh water lake ruled by crocodile newt

Gonmei Meithuanlungpou Sebastian *

Zaimeng lake :: Pix Courtesy : ENVIS Centre: Manipur / Directorate of Environment, Govt. of Manipur

An extract from my forth coming book 'Beautiful Manipur Hills'

[This is a brief report base on the findings which were made on 14th December 2014 and 14th August 2015 respectively by the under listed adventurous team members- K. S. Stephen, Ashiho Puv (Phuba Union President), M.K. Khamding (village authority members), R. Widaning (Secretary village authority), D.S. Thai, Dr. Holkhongam Haokip (Founder of Eco-Wanderer), Ch. Daniel, L. Alex, Chengwiliu Pamai, Mocha Devi, Asha Devi, Charusila Devi, Jaojian Riamei, Guikimang Gonmei, Rose Mary Gonmei, Gangailiu kamei, Talung Chawang, Niomchung Jatak, and the author (Gonmei Meithuanlungpou Sebastian, Founder of Wonderland Mission). Endless gratitude to the Village authority members and the people of Thonglang Village.]

Rich and fortunate is the land of Manipur that when many parts of the world are struggling to get a litre of water at the depth of 200 feet below the ground, many fresh water lakes and ponds dwell at the height of above 2000 metres. The bizarre fresh water Zaimeng (Liangmei, literally 'Puzzle Lake') is one of the high altitude lakes in the world.

It is believed that the name of the lake was given by the Zeliangrong forefathers of Thonglang village who passed by the lake but could not find their way to their destination as they used to return to the same spot again and again and circled the lake over and over again. About thirty years back the lake used to be surrounded by well trimmed Kalakbang (Leihao or Michelia champacca), Maga (Uningthou or Phoebe hainensenia), Zameng rapen (Uthambal or Magnolia), and Karangbang (Thangji or Quercus sp.) (Charenamei, Mani, 2015).

It is situated on top of Khongtheng mountain ranges at Thonglang village (Bena Tababang). The estimated height of this lake is 2176 metres above sea level. If not the highest, this could be one of the highest lakes in Manipur. The lake is at a distance of 4 km from Thonglang village located on the eastern side of the village which is about 22 km from Kangpokpi (NH 2 formerly NH 39).

Its total area measures about 1500 x 650 square feet. Zaimeng Lake definitely joins hands with other streams as the initial source and tributaries of Irang River in the western side and of Imphal River in the east. Some of the streams in the north eastern locations too flow into Barak River.

Thonglang village is one of the historically important villages in the Zeliangrong history. It is one of the oldest villages recorded which survive through the ravages of time till today after the dispersal from Makuilongdi (the ancestral home of the Zeliangrong). The lake is thought to be very deep, too. The entrance portion of the lake is covered with soft carpet of rare white moss and grass.

Zeilad lake - Tamenglong - The Natural Paradise :: Pix Courtesy : Gaikhamdim Marangmei

Thick vegetation and lush growth of thorny bamboo (Liangmei, literally Chaki/ Manipur, literally Laiwa), lakeside breath taking scenery with trees decorated with green lichens, presence of rare endangered high altitude amphibian salamander called Takope (Liangmei dialect) in the lake and the myth of the lake attracts visitors all throughout the year. Truly, this lake is ruled by Crocodile Newt in warm season along with white moss and grasses.

The arrival of monsoon awakens the rare moisture loving inhabitant- the Crocodile Newt. It is a rare amphibian species of Manipur which can live both on land and in water. It is a slow, tiny, gentle, wonderful creature with no sign of aggressive behaviours. The crocodile Newt got its name from the bumps along its back. These are its defences.

Some of these species excrete deadly poisons from the tips of its ridges from the bumps if grabbed by potential predators. The adult Newt grows up to 14-16 cm in length. It is generally blackish in colour with a flat reddish tail. April to October is the best time to meet this rare amphibians. In winter, Tadpole Newts are found living among the aquatic plants in the shallow waters of the lake. With no bigger and dangerous predators in the lake, the gentle Crocodile Newt is truly the ruler of the serene Zaimeng Lake.

One mystery and tales associated with the lake is that it is guarded and cleanse by an unseen bird though the lake is surrounded by trees and vegetation, no leaves or dirt are ever found in the lake. Another breath taking scene is the view of Imphal River gently journeying towards Kangpokpi and Shirui hills and its peak of Ukhrul district in the eastern side which can be located on the fifth mountain range from the prominent point of this lake.

In the western side, one can also have the beautiful gleams of the awesome steep Vaichong rocks, Irang valley, Tamei town, and mountain ranges of Papupana long (Father Son mountain ranges) visible at Chakha and Lemta villages. Spring is also one of the best seasons to visit Zaimeng Lake and see the greeneries and flowers.

Everything of nature in this area is beautiful except deforestation by humans, shaving the very source of important rivers of Manipur. What will you do to save and protect Zaimeng Lake and its rare peace loving, gentle, helpless dweller- Crocodile Newt? Long live Zaimeng Lake! Praise the Lord!