By Dr. Jenpuiru Kamei
The Zeilad lakes are an important natural heritage site associated with the myths, legends and the folklore of the Zeliangrong people. It is the second largest fresh water lake in Manipur next only to Loktak. Zeilad lakes are complex of water body comprising of multiple lakes. The Zeilad lakes are situated in the eastern mountain side of the village Atengba (Makoi) in Tamenglong district of Manipur on the West bank of the Barak River. It is located between 930 20/ and 930 25 / E Longitude and 240 30/ and 240 55/ N Latitude. The altitude varies between 372 m and 1053 m M.S.L. (elevation of lake – 180m). The temperature varies between 11.90 C and 390 C. Semi-evergreen and Wet hill forests are the forest types of the region. (Protected Areas Network of Manipur, 2012)
Important flora of the region are – Michelia champaca, Toona ciliate, Schima wallichii, Gmelina arborea, Messua ferrea, Artocarpus hirsute, Mangifera indica, Castanopsis hystrix, Bombax ceiba, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Emblica officinalis, Duabanga sp., Bauhinia variegata, Phoebe hainesiana, Eugenia praecox, Quercus spp., Albizia procera, Alnus nepalensis, Juglans regia, Terminalia myriocarpa etc. Cane and bamboo (Melocanna bambusoides) are abundantly found. Different species of epiphytic, terrestrial and lithophytic orchids are also found.
Important fauna of the region are – Mammals including Tiger, Leopard, Leopard cat, small Indian civet, Common Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Great Indian Hornbill, barking deer, flying squirrel, slow loris, Golden cat, yellow throated marten, Large Indian civet cat, Hog badger, Bear, Serow, Sambar etc. Birds include varieties of migratory birds including falcon. Among the reptiles, the tortoise, snakes and pythons are prominent. Fish consists of Porom, Ukabi, Ngamu, Ngakra, sea prawns, Ngakha, Ngaphou.
The Zeilad lakes are natural lakes, namely, the main lake Zeilad (Langmaijei), Roujei, Napsamjei, Goiphopjei (Tongpuijei), Tinglimjei. The Zeilad lakes cover an area of roughly 60,000 sq.m. Till today, no one has ever known the depth of it (tamenglong.nic.in).
Zeilad The original name of Zeilad was Langmaijei. It is a natural lake formed in a gorge with the water from the stream flowing into it. It is believed that paddy was discovered from Langmaijei. In the folklore and hymns of the worship of the paddy God, this place is frequently referred to. It is the biggest lake amongst the Zeilad group of lakes. It is somewhat oval in shape but with wavy margin.
The surrounding vegetation is representing a degraded status of primary forest, clad with elements of subtropical wet and dry forests. The upper part of the western hill and northern region are affected by burning and felling of trees (Nandiram and Laitonjam, 2013)
1. Roujei It was called Roujei as a woman described it as a vulgar lake. According to local tradition, a God and a man made a challenge whether the man could cultivate the whole country on the condition that he should not utter a single ‘obscene word’. The man completed the cultivation. Then suddenly a dove flew over him and surprised him. The man uttered an obscene word ‘Ban’. God said that the man could not keep his word and his son would die. But if he sacrificed a goat his son would be saved. As the man uttered a vulgar word near the lake it was called a vulgar lake (Roujei). A more relevant tale appears to be that of a woman who wanted to drink water from the lake but could not, so rebuked it as Roujei or a vulgar lake. The surrounding vegetation is comparatively better though most of the aged trees have already been felled and continues to be felled.
2. Napsamjei It is more a big pond situated near a new settlement known as Zeiladjang. It was highly polluted. Water hyacinths grow profusely and wild ducks visit the lake during winter season. The surrounding vegetation is nearly destroyed under the pressure of Zeiladjang village.
3. Goiphobjei (the lake of the tortoise) This was originally known as Tongpuijei. It is now popularly known as Goiphobjei due to the availability of tortoises. Wild ducks visit during the winter. It is the smallest water body. Though degraded, the surrounding vegetation is still in regenerating state. To check further deterioration, it needs protection and non-interference.
4. Tinglimjei It is getting silted up. It is more a swampy place during the rainy season. According to local tradition, Tinglimjei is that swampy place where the ancient lawgiver, Amang reared his cattle for the performance of his Jourumei ceremony.
History and folklore are associated with the Zeilad lakes. There is reverence for the presiding deity of the lakes. It is said that a Kachari chief came and entered into the Zeilad on his elephant and was drowned to his death. It was taboo to eat the fish of the Zeilad. In 1929, Jadonang and Gaidinliu with more than hundred followers visited Zeilad and performed sacrifices to the deity presiding over the lakes. It was Jadonang who declared that it was no longer a taboo to eat the fish of the lake. It was locally believed that there were magical weapons in the Zeilad (Gangmumei Kamei, 2004).
Zeilad area is among the 6 sites proposed by the Government of Manipur some 20 years back for developing as a National Park or Wild Life Sanctuary in the state for the protection and preservation of endangered wild animals and plants. The Government had first proposed to develop a Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 21 sq.Km of land in Zeilad area in 1997 through a notification under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. In November 2014, the Government had declared Zeilad as Wildlife Sanctuary for the protection and preservation of wild animals found in the area like tiger, wild boar, hoolock gibbon, bear, python, tortoise etc. and endangered wild plants along with the historically important Zeilad lake.
Zeilad lakes occupy an important place in the folklores and cultural life of the Zeliangrong people. Legends and myths related with the lakes are abounding. There is also a myth that an unseen lake is present among the Zeilad lakes whose name is also obscure (differs from local version and other versions and needs further research). The number of lakes in the Zeilad Water Body Complex varies from 4 to 7 numbers according to folklores and local legends. This may be due to drying up of lakes because of siltation and human intrusion. Human encroachment near the lakes has degraded the ecosystem of the Zeilad lakes. Challenges lies ahead for Zeilad lakes which is an unique entity and is closely associated with the cultures and history of the Zeliangrong people. The preservation, conservation and development of the Zeilad lakes in terms of ecosystem and tourism are the immediate need for saving the lakes from degradation and extinction of the existing endangered flora and fauna.
References
Gangmumei Kamei, 2004: The History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu, Spectrum Publications, Guwahati.
H. Nandiram and G.S. Loitonjam, 2013, Zeilad Water Body Complex and Barak Falls (Gifts of nature of high economy and tourism potentials), The sangai Express, June 12, 2013.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Manipur, 2012: Protected Areas Network of Manipur, India, published on the 57th Wildlife Week Celebration.
