Sacred Groves in Manipur

| Last Updated:: 14/07/2023

Sacred Groves in Manipur

The worship and protection of forests called Umanglai, because of their associated deities, are still practiced by the modern Manipuris who preserve their ancient tradition. These groves are locally known as Gamkhap and Mauhak (sacred bamboo reserves).

166 sacred groves have been documented in the state. Some of the deities to whom these groves are dedicated are Umanglai, Ebudhou Pakhangba, Konthoujam Lairembi, Chabugbam and Chothe Thayai Pakhangba.

Siris, Fig, Cluster fig, Marlea, Chamomile, Broken bones plant, Konara Oak, Moner moton gaas, Common Walnut, Common Grey Mango, Tippera and Bollygum are among the most commonly found plant species in the sacred groves.

Ecologically valuable species like Siris and Cluster fig, which conserve high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium and calcium in their leaves, are found in several sacred groves of Manipur. Keystone species contribute to the maintenance

Source: http://www.idc.iitb.ac.in/dsource/resource/sacred-groves-manav-sangrahalay/sacred-groves/umanglai-%E2%80%93-sacred-grove-manipur

http://www.zogamonline.com/index.php/world/general/item/782-sacred-groves-in-manipur.html

List of Sacred Groves in Manipur

Sl.No.	Sacred Grove Name	Sacred Grove Location	Name of the deity	Area (Hectares)
District - Bishnupur
1	Sawongbung Lairenbi	Sawongbung	Sawongbung Lairenbi	0.020
2	Salam Sorarel	Salam Mayai Leikai	Sorarel	0.092
3	Sayang Ningthou	Sayang Pukhri Mapan	Saynag Ningthopu	0.019
4	Sekmai Koubru	Awang Sekmai	Koubrou	1.21
5	Sekmai Ningthou Kakching	Kakching Moiran-gthem Leikai	Sekmai Ningthou Kakching	0.20
6	Sekmai Wangbarel	Awang Sekmai	Wangbarel	0.25
7	Sorarel	Toubul bazaar	Sorarel	0.20
8	Soubam (Mawam) Lairembi	Thangmeiband Hijam Diwan Leikai	Soubam Lairembi	0.069
9	Sugunu Lokningthou	Sugunu	Lokningthou	0.069
10	Sugunu Sanamahi	Sugunu	Sanamahi	0.069
11	Sugunu Wangbarel	Sugunu	Wangbarel	0.069
12	Tairel Pokpi Koubru	Tairel pokpi	Koubru, Koumu	1.50
13	Tamphaton Lairembi	Kwakeithel Lourembam Leikai	Nungthel Leima	0.10
14	Thanagrel	Kha Khunou	Thanagrel	0.25
15	Tharoijam Yumjao Lairenbi	Tharoijam	Yumjao Lairenbi	0.098
16	Thoidingjam Lairembi	Lamlong	Thoidingjam Lairembi	0.034
17	Thonang Panganba Lai Manou, Mayamba	Kha Potsangbam Mamang Leikai	Thonang Panganba Lai manou, Mayamba	0.4
18	Thongmacha Macha Leihounu Lairembi	Sagolband Thangjam Leirak	Thongngak Macha Leihounu Lairembi	0.2
19	Thonju Rakpa	Thongju part-11	Thongju Rakpa	0.33
20	Tokpa Pung Lainingthou	Thangmeiband D.M. College	Tokpa Pung Lainingthou	0.003
21	Tubileima	Tabungkhok Awang Leikai	Tubileima	0.10
22	Uchekon Moriba	Uchekon	Moriba	0.50
District - Imphal East
23	Arai Leima	Lalabung	Arai Leima	0.13
24	Chabugbam Lairembi Laishana	Kodompokpi Mayai leikai	Chabugbam Lairembi Laishana, Khoiriphaba, Tampha Lairembi	0.002
25	Chakpa Panam Ningthou	Andro	Chakpa Panam Ningthou	0.012
26	Chingamathak Ema Lairembi	Singjamei Chingnga mathak	Ema Lairembi	0.21
27	Chingol Ningthou	Chingmeiron Maning Leikai	Chingol Ningthou	0.50
28	Ebudhou Marjing	Laipham Khounou, Sanhakpham	Ebudhou Maring	0.25
29	Ebudhou Marjing	Khabam Awang Leikai, Kontha Khabam	Ebudhou Marjing	0.10
30	Ebudhou Marjing (Heingang)	Heingang Mayai Leikai	Marjing	0.10
31	Ebudhou Marjing	Kairang	Ebudhou Marjing	0.20
32	Ebudhou Marjing	Achanbikei	Ebudhou Marjing	0.45
33	Chothe Thayai Pakhangba	Bishempur chothe thawai pakhangba khuman, Ward no. 6	Chothe Thayai Pakhangba	0.012
34	Chumthang Lairembi Mache	Bamdyar Awang Leikai	Chumthang Lairembi Mache	10.0
35	Chumthang Lairembi Manou	Bandyar Ahallup	Chunthang Lairembi Manou	30.0
36	Ebendhou Makubi Ching	Keithelmanbi	Ebendhou Makubi	6.07
37	Ebudhou Khamlangba	Mayai Koibi	Ebudhou Khamlangba	0.025
38	Ebudhou Khamlangba	Sapam Leirak	Ebudhou Khamlangba	0.10
39	Ebudhou Khamlangba	Kakching Khullen Moirangthem Leikai	Ebudhou Khamlangba	0.40
40	Ebudhou Koirouhanba	Moidampok	Koirouhanba	1.01
41	Ebudhou Marjing	Ahallup	Ebudhou Marjing	0.070
42	Ebudhou Meitreng Pakhangba	Bishempur Joypur Khunou, Kha.	Ebudhou Meitreng Pakhangba	0.005
43	Ebudhou Nongda Lairen Pakhangba	Patsoi Part-II	Ebudhou Nongda Lairen Pakhangba	0.090
44	Ebudhou Pakhangba	Wangoi	Pakhangba	0.69
45	Ebudhou Pakhangba	Kwa Siphai, Wang Makhong	Ebudhou Pakhangba	0.025
46	Ebudhou Pakhangba Puruk Shoubi	Uchekon	Ebudhou Pakhangba Puruk Shoubi	0.25
47	Ebudhou Sankardev	Wangoi	Ebudhou Sankardev	0.11
48	Ebudhou Moirang Kacha	Okram Leikai, Singjamei	Ebuthou Moirang Kacha	0.043
49	Ebudhou Thangjing	Moirang Laisang-them Leikai	Ebuthou Thangjing	1.0
50	Ema Ebemma Leihoungou Thongak Lairembi	Eroisemba	Ema Ebemma Leihoungou Thongak Lairembi	0.25
51	Ema Konthokhanbi	Thangmeiband D.M.College	Ema Konthokhanbi	2.07
52	Ema Laikhulembi	Houbam Marak	Ema Laikhulembi	0.10
53	Ema Nongaleima	Thangmeiban Hijam Diwan Leikai	Ema Nongaleima (Hijam Lairembi)	0.20
54	Ema Panthoibi Lairembi	Patsoi Part-III	Ema Panthoibi, Nongpok Ningthou, Lairembi	0.0003
55	Ema Wangdongbi Pung	Tera	Ema Wangdongbi	0.018
56	Emoinu	Wangoi	Emoinu, Keirunghanba, Keirunghanbi	0.097
57	Epa Sorarel, Khoiriphaba	Yurembam Awang Leikai	Epa Sorarel, Khoiriphaba	0.062
58	Eputhou Nongsaba	Kwakeithel Heinou Khonglembi, Guru Nongsaba Leikai	Eputhou Nongsaba	0.10
59	Eputhou Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai	Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	0.0007
District - Imphal West
60	Ereima Khanachouba	Oinam Thingngel Leikai	Erum Ningthou	0.50
61	Erom Lairembi	Chingmakha Phuramakhong	Erom Lairembi	0.036
62	Erom Laishram Lairenma	Chanam Phukhri Mapan, Erom Leikai	Erom Laishram Lairenma	0.020
63	Erum Ningthou Kakching	Kakching	Erum Ningthou	0.55
64	Heingang Marjing	Heingang	Ebuthou Marjing, Sagol Sanglan, Chings- anglakpa.	7.08
65	Heirang khonung Lairembi	Lamlongei, Sabal Leikai	Heirang khonung Lairembi	0.02
66	Heisnam Panthoibi	Keisamthong Thangjam Leirak	Heisnam Panthoibi	0.60
67	Hodam Lairembi	Keisamthong Hodam Leirak	Hodam Lairenbi	0.60
68	Huidompokpi Tarang Apanba	Yurembam Mayai Leikai	Huidompokpi Tarang Apanba	0.65
69	Huidrom Lairembi	Keisamthong	Huidrom Lairembi	0.067
70	Kakching Wairi Khamlangba	Kakching Wairi Khamlangba	Ebudhou Khamlangba	0.40
71	Kakwa Lairembi	Singjamei Waikhom leikai	Lairembi	1.50
72	Kakwa Lairembi Ema Ereima	Kakwa Asem Leikai	Ema Ereima	0.75
73	Kalika Lairembi/Khonji Mahadeva	Khongji Loukon	Kalika Lairembi	5.0
74	Kangabam Yumjao Lairembi	Keisampat Kangabam Leikai	Yumjao Lairembi, Nongdon Lairembi	0.0007
75	Keisam Yumjao Lairembi	Keisampat	Yumjao Lairembi	0.10
76	Khoimom Lairembi	Luker Mamang Leikai	Khoimom Lairembi	1.20
77	Khuman Ningthou Pakhangba	Patsoi Part –I	Khuman Ningthou Pakhangba, Ema Malem Leisana	0.20
78	Khunjao Lairembi	Malom Tulihal	Khunjao Lairembi	0.20
79	Khurai Lai Awangba	Khurai	Lai Awangba	0.54
80	Khurai Lai Khurembi	Khurai Sajor Leikai	Lai Khurembi	0.039
81	Khurai Ningthoubung Puri Puraba	Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai	Lai Puri Puraba	0.060
82	Khurai Puthiba	Khurai Lamlong	Lai Puthiba	0.43
83	Khurai Yumjao Lairenbi	Khurai	Yumjao Lairembi	0.002
84	Kongpal Nongmai Leima	Kongpal	Nongmaileima	0.14
85	Kongpal Puri Puraba	Kongpal	Puri Puraba	0.059
86	Konjeng Lairembi	Konjeng Leikai	Ema Hourok Konthourembi	0.16
87	Konkham Loiyarakpa	Nambol konkham Leikai	Konkham Loiyarakpa	0.30
88	Konthoujam Lairenbi	Konthoujam	Konthoujam Lairenbi	1.41
89	Konung lairembi/ Ebudhu Laisana Yumjao Lairembi	C I college, Bishempur	Konung lairembi/ Ebudhu Laisana Yumjao Lairembi	0.50
90	Koubru	Phayeng	Koubru, Kounu, Loyarakpa, Nungthel Leima	40.0
91	Koubru	Lairelkabi Mamang Leikai	Koubru	0.20
92	Koubru	Heibongkokpi	Koubru	0.003
93	Koubru	Lambal	Koubru	1.50
94	Koubru	Tera Urak	Koubru	0.03
95	Lai Eshing Chaibi Laisenba	Nagamapal Market	Lai Eshing Chaiba Lairenba	0.067
96	Lai Khurembi	Lamdeng Makha Leikai	Lai khurembi	0.20
97	Laijing Ningthou	Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai	Laijing Ningthou	0.0004
98	Lainingthou Ahanba	Khurai	Lai Ahanba	0.22
99	Lainingthou Amudon	Amudon	Lainingthou Amudon	0.073
100	Lainingthou Khamlangba	Uripok	Lainingthou Khamlangba	0.050
101	Lainingthou Khoiriphaba	Nambol	Lainingthou Khoiriphaba	10.0
102	Lainingthou Khoubomba	Changangngei Mamang leikai	Lainingthou Khu-bomba, Tampha Lairembi, Khombuleima	0.044
103	Lainingthou Liesing Chaibi	Lamsang Mayang Leikai	Lai Esing Chaibi	0.50
104	Lainingthou Nongpok Ning-thou Panthoibi	Sekta	Lainingthou Nongpok Ning-thou Panthoibi	0.15
105	Lainingthou Nouthingkhong Lairembi Petanga Tamphaton, (Lai Khurembi).	Uripok	Laikhurembi	0.14
106	Lainingthou Pureiromba	Lamlai	Lainingthou Pureiromba	0.28
107	Lainingthou Puthiba	Awang Khunou	Lainingthou Puthiba	0.074
108	Lainingthou Sanamahi	Wangoi	Lainingthou Sanamahi, Khagemba, Nungburembi, Nungburemba, Thawai Yaibirembi	0.76
109	Lainingthou Sorarel	Kodompokpi Mamang Leikai	Lainingthou Sorarel	0.001
110	Lairembi	Khabi Mayai leikai	Lairembi	0.20
111	Laisana Pakhangba	Toupokpi Mamang Leikai	Laisana Pakhangba	0.076
112	Laishram Lairembi	Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai	Laishram Lairembi	0.044
113	Laishram Yumjao Lairembi	Wangkhi Laishram Leikai	Yumjao Lairembi	0.20
114	Langol Lairembi	Langol Housing Complex	Langol Lairembi	1.0
115	Langthabal Lainingthou Puthiba	Langthabal	Lainingthou Puthiba	0.032
116	Langol Thongak Lairembi	Langol	Langol Ashithel Ema Thongak Lairembi	5.05
117	Langthabal Kamakhya Mandir	Langthabal	Druga	0.24
118	Leisangthem Lairembi	Leisangthem Leikai, Singjamei	Leisangthem Lairembi	0.50
119	Loiyarakpa (Lanjing Thouba) Ningthemleima	Tabungkhog Makha Leikai	Loiyarakpa Ningthemleima	0.001
120	Mahabali (Mongba Hanba)	Imphal	Hanumanji	5.05
121	Maklang Nungthel Leima	Maklang	Nungthel Leima	0.40
122	Mayang Ngamba /Loiyarakpa	Bishnupur makha Leikai	Mayang ngamba	0.20
123	Mayokpha	Keisamthong	Mayokpha	0.025
124	Moirang Hanuba Epu	Takyel	Moirang Hanuba Epu	0.016
125	Moirang pokpa Ebudhou	Thangmeiband Polem leikai	Moirang Pokpa Eputhou	0.036
126	Moirangpokpa, Moirangpokpi Macha Ebungo, Manou Ebema	Yurembam Mayai Leikai	Moirangpokpa, Moirangpokpi Macha Ebungo, Manou Ebema	0.40
127	Mongba Hanba	Wangoi	Mongba Hanba	0.003
128	Mongsangei Ebudhou Panganba	Mongsangei Ningthemjao Karong	Ebodhou Panganba	0.070
129	Ngarangbam Loiyarakpa	Ngarangbam Makha Leikai	Loiyarakpa	0.10
130	Ngarangbam Pakhangba	Ngarangbam Maning Leikai	Pakhangba	0.40
131	Ningthoukhong Oknarel Macha Ebemma	Ningthourel Oknarel Leikai	Ningthoukhong Oknarel Macha Ebemma	0.27
132	Nongaren /Nongngaleima	Kha potsangbam, Mayai Leikai	Nongaren/Nongngaleima	0.062
133	Nongdon Lairembi Pakhangba	Utlou Mamang Leikai	Nongdon Lairembi Pakhangba	0.20
134	Nongmailembi Leima	Top Awang Leikai	Nongmailembi Leima	0.75
135	Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi	Khumbong Awang Leikai	Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi	0.40
136	Nongpok Panthoibi	Nourem Leikai, Awang	Panthoibi	0.069
137	Nongpok Panthoibi	Kongba Nongthongbam Leikai	Nongpok Panthoibi	0.25
138	Nongpok Panthoibi	Kongba Khunou Leikai	Nongpok Panthoibi	0.1
139	Nongshaba Yaiskul	Yaiskul	Nongsaba	0.023
140	Nouhal Lai	Kakching	Nouhal Lai	0.096
141	Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	Patsoi Awang Leikai	Pakhangba	0.37
142	Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	Khongman Ketanapanung	Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	0.14
143	Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	Patsoi Part –IV	Nouthingkhong Pakhangba	1.0
144	Nungthel Leima	Tabungkhok Mayai Leikai	Nungthel Leima	0.10
145	Oknarel Khubam Yaba	Ningthoukhong Mamang leikai	Okanarel	0.40
146	Panganba	Bamol kapu Maning Leikai	Panganba	0.50
147	Panganba	Ningthoukhong Mayai leikai	Panganba	0.10
148	Panthoibi	Kongba Khetri Leikai	Panthoibi	0.038
149	Panthoibi, Nongpok Ningthou	Utlou Mayai Leikai	Panthoibi, Nongpok Ningthou	0.20
150	Pathabi Ema Lairembi	Khoijuman Ward no.3	Pathabi Ema Lairembi	0.25
151	Phoijing Chaning Lairembi	Nambol, Phoijing	Phoijing Chaning Lairembi, Channing Leima	12.75
152	Phouoibi	Shorok khaiban Leikai, Singjamei	Phouoibi	0.5
153	Pureiromba	Bamol kapu makha Leikai	Pureiromba	0.4
154	Pureiromba	Bamol kapu Awang Leikai	Pureiromba	0.1
155	Pureironlaba and Chingsomba	Andro	Pureiromlaba	0.1
156	Puthiba	Touthong, Mamang Leikai	Puthiba	0.5
157	Sagoltongba Ningthempokpa	Sagoltongba	Ningthempokpa	1.03
158	Sairelkhil Koubru	Shairelkhul	Koubru, Tonu, Loiyarakpa	0.5
District - Thoubal
159	Wangbarel	Kongba Nandeibam Leikai	Wangbarel	0.50
160	Wangkhei Loumanbi (Nongpok Panthoibi)	Wangkhei Loumangbi Leikai	Nongpok Panthoibi	0.069
161	Wangoi Wangbarel	Wangoi	Wangbarel	0.092
162	Yangoi Ningthou	Bishempur Joypur khunou, Awang	Yangoi Ningthou	0.81
163	Yangoi Ningthou	Thangtek	Yangoi Ningthou	0.002
164	Yangoi Ningthou	Khoijuman Ward no. 2	Khoijuman Yangoi Ningthou	0.20
165	Yangoi Ningthou	Toubul Mayai Leikai	Yangoi ningthou	0.33
166	Yangoi Ningthou Lainingthou	Khurai Kongpal	Yangoi Ningthou Lainingthou	0.20

(Data source: Ashalata Devi Khumbongmayum, Khan, M.L., & Tripathi, R.S. Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh)

CPREEC - EIACP Programme Centre, Resource Partner on Ecological Heritage and Sacred Sites of India

Sacred Groves in Manipur