Present state of Umang Lai Laibungs : Climate change begins to impact sites
Source: The Sangai Express / Yaiphaba Meitei Kharibam

Imphal, July 07 2025: As depicted in folk tales, the worship and celebration of Umang Lai has been a part and parcel of the Meitei community since time immemorial.

However, the Umang Lai Laibung/Laikon (sacred ground considered as mini forests) are facing a slow deterioration, leaving us with the uncomfortable question if this much-loved aspect of Meitei tradition will become mere stories for future generations.

Except during the celebration of Umang Lai Haraoba, neither men nor animals are allowed to venture into these sacred grounds.

Speaking to The Sangai Express in this connection, Mutum Maniton, general secretary, Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) said that out of 758 Umang Lai sites, 15% of the Laibungs have suffered some form of degradation from its pristine state.

The ones witnessing decline are those where worship has been transferred from "sagei" (sub-clan) to the locality or "leikai", he said.

Stating that Umang Lai Laibungs help in combating climate change and preserving the ecological balance of its surroundings, he pointed out that even when certainplants necessary for religious rituals cannot be found anywhere else, they are always available at the sacred grounds, along with other animals/life-forms.

During 2017-18, the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change (formerly the Environment and Ecology Wing, Porompat) carried out a widespread tree plantation drive across Umang Lai grounds in the State.

Except for this initiative, no mass tree plantation drives have been carried out at Urnang Lai sites.

As the sacred grounds remain inaccessible except during rituals, lesser-known life-forms including snakes and various insects can be seen at the Laikons.

With changing times, community halls and other structures have been built in Umang Lai Laibungs.

But such constructions do not harm the environment as they are built in the "Shumang" (open area) portion of the sacred grounds where no trees grow.

However, in certain cases, trees have been uprooted to build community halls, said the UKAL general secretary.

Addressing the state of Umang Lai Laikons, Dr Khangembam Shamungou, Chairman, Technical Committee, Manipur State Wetland Authority, said that it would not be an exaggeration to term them as biodiversity hotspots.

However, highlighting the decrease in flora and fauna seen at such sacred grounds, he pondered if future generations will only hear stories about how these sacred sites used to be biodiversity hotspots in the past.

He asserted that preserving the Laikons will help in preserving the overall environment of Manipur.

From a scientific point of view, the flora and fauna at the Laikons are in their pristine form, without any genetic pollution or genome contamination.

He also highlighted the need for the establishment of biodiversity conservation committees dedicated to the conservation of the Laikons without disrupting the long-cherished culture surrounding the celebration of Umang Lai Haraoba.

Such committees have been formed in some areas, but it appears that they have not taken any tangible steps, said the Chairman.

Even before laws to protect the environment, water bodies and wildlife were passed by the Government, Umang Lai Laikons of the Meitei community contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation, he said.

Additionally, under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, there is provision for preservation of certain localities/ villages as biodiversity reserves, he informed.

Meanwhile, the UKAL general secretary said that they are working to carry out tree plantation drives across empty segments of the Umang Lai sacred grounds.

He also sought the help of the relevant Government departments in this effort, stating that with their assistance thick green cover can be maintained at these sites.

The Tourism Department has a big role to play in conserving the Laibungs/Laikons.

With the help of the concerned departments and the public, the sacred grounds which are facing environmental decline can be protected and returned to their immaculate state, said Mutum Maniton.

This article was written as part of the 6th Manipur State Level Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change Reporting organised by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change .

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