Tourism

Manipur is situated south of Nagaland, about 700 Km north east of Kolkata. Jawaharlal Nehru described Manipur as the 'Jewel of India'. By virtue of its geographical situation, Manipur is a shining pearl in the Himalayan system. Manipur is bounded by Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south, upper Myanmar in the east and Cachar district of Assam in the west. The spectacular valley of Manipur is surrounded by hill ranges on all sides. The winter haze renders the hills all blue, giving them the coined name the blue mountains.

 Recently, the government has excluded the state from Protected Area regime which was in force since 1958, and foreigners are no longer required to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Manipur. However, Foreigners have to register themselves at the local Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit within 24 hours of their arrival and require a protected area permit to visit some parts of the state, that are considered to be sensitive in nature from the country’s security point of view. The government has also started offering tourist visa-on-arrival to promote tourism. Even Indian citizens are required to take Inner Line Permits to visit some of these areas. Citizens of some specified countries would continue to require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before their visit to Manipur.

The pristine and undiscovered parts of the state have great potential as a tourist destination. Manipur boasts of the world’s oldest polo ground, the mesmerising Manipuri dance in its pristine form, Thang-Ta, one of India’s two martial art forms and the numerous exotic tourist locales including Loktak Lake, one of the biggest freshwater expanses in the country, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating National park in the world ,where on the floating bio-mass called phumdis, is the last natural habitat of 'Sangai' the world’s rarest dancing deer. One can also have a glimpse of the unique lifestyle, culture, folklore, dances and exotic handlooms and handicrafts of the thirty or more tribal groups including the Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis etc.

Imphal, the capital is the political, educational and cultural epicenter of the people of the state of Manipur. Adventure Tourism facilities are also being developed at the Manipur Mountaineering and trekking Association (MMTA) Complex at Lamdan (Sudarshan Park) near the Loktak Hydroelectric Power Project, the Manipur Adventure and Allied Sports Institute (MAASI) Complex at Keirao and at the Tourist Home located in the Siroi Hills near Ukhrul District Headquarters. These Associations conduct training and treks for tourists with an adventurers streak. They also offer opportunities for jungle exploration, mountaineering, rock climbing etc. Archery is also a sport which is part and parcel of the Manipur culture.