Khwai Ecological Park - KEP

Introduction to KEP:
The etymology of the Manipuri word “Khwai” is very ancient and its meaning in English is “Everyone’s” or “Everybody’s”. Therefore, Khwai Ecological Park (KEP) is “Everyone’s Ecological Park”.

KEP will be developed with the locally found indigenous flora and fauna, handloom and handicrafts, arts and cultures and local artisans. It will be developed in true spirits of Manipuri’s historical backgrounds. The park will cater to bring tourist from whole over the world to Manipur and exhibit the unique natural, cultural and ecological environment. Family resorts and recreational huts will be erected at strategic locations of the sites. Banquet and Concert Hall of the size of about 0.65 acre is also under development. Indigenous medicinal plants (herbal) garden, under a greenhouse will be developed. The park will be well equipped with modern tourism needs.

KEP will also have a separate Children’s Park, where children will have various toys and play ground with scientific objects put up in strategic locations. The area will also serve as educational sites for children. Greenhouse for various indigenous floras will come up near the Children’s Park. A 20 m tower with large platform on the top encircled with transparent glasses, equipped with Zoom lens cameras, Binoculars and Telescopes will provide the visitors a feel of the beautiful surroundings and the mesmerizing beauty of the Loktak Lake.

The main aims of KEP are to conserve indigenous flora and fauna; develop manpower; local capacity buildings; sustainable socio-economic development; educations and tourism.

Location:
KEP is 33 km South of the Tulihal International Airport, Imphal and is 3 km West of the Ningthoukhong Municipal Town, which is on the National Highway 150. KEP is at the foothill of the Laimaton and Thangjing (Thangching) hill ranges, which was famous for its role in the World War-II fought between British and Japanese. It is 10 km from the well known Sendra Tourism site on the picturesque and famous Loktak Lake. The aerial distance of KEP from Loktak Lake is just 4 km separated by the vast agricultural land. The newly developed National Highway from Tupul to Tipaimukh passed on the Western side of the park and is only 1 km far with motor-able road. KEP is well connected with asphalted road from Ningthoukhong and Loktak Hydro Electric Project (1 km) located on the Northern side of the Park.

The park has two separate locations, which is just 50 m far from each other. The first location is about 2 hectares in area and will have resorts, fast food restaurant, banquet and concert hall, huts, gardens, ponds and water springs. The second location is also about 2 hectares in area and will have Children’s Park, garden, 20 m tower, huts, ponds, greenhouse etc. The park is surrounded by various teak and agro-forestry farms. The total areas of KEP are about 4 hectares in size.

History:
Historically, KEP area falls under a sacred place of Manipuri’s local deity called “Macha Ebemma Khudi Thibi”. Macha Ebemma was the daughter of the famous Manipuri’s local deity called “Epudhou Oknarel” elder brother of the famous Moirang King “Thangching” (1617 CE). After a conflict with his younger brother Thangching; Epudhou Oknarel came towards tribal village called Sadu Khuroi. He got married to a Sadu (Paomei) woman and descended towards Ningthoukhong. Ningthoukhong was buffer zone of both Meitei King Meetingu Khakempa (1597–1652 CE) and the Moirang King Thangching at that time. When Oknarel came down to Ningthoukhong, his young daughter accidentally struck a stone with her feet, fall-down on the road and died. The place where she died is well preserved with lush green woods and flowers. Recently, tombs and worshiping places are erected by the people of Ningthoukhong at the Macha Ebemma Khudi Thibi area. The place is proposed to be included in the “Heritage Sites”.

Objectives:
1. To conserve the unique biodiversity of Manipur.
2. To develop a Center for Native Trees.
3. To built local capacity and jobs generations.
4. To export commercial cut flowers.
5. To impart educations and awareness amongst the youths about the local environment of Manipur.
6. To bring sustainable socio-economic development at the local level.
7. To help develop eco-tourism in the State of Manipur in lines with the Look East Policy (LEP) of India.

Outcomes:
Presently, KEP is in its nascent stage; however, developments are in full swing. KEP is always open to the public and can witness the slow and steady development of the park. Various indigenous trees and local flowers have been planted in many locations of the park now. Constructions of huts have been started. Nevertheless, the full operations of the park will always take some times. The outcomes of KEP are promising due to the rail head coming upto Imphal (expected to be completed by 2018); International Airport; Asian Highway 1 (AH-1); India’s endeavors for Look East Policy (LEP); and the 5 Stars Hotels coming-up in Manipur. Interested person/s for joint ventures, industrial and environmental developments are encouraged to contact us.

Management:
KEP is run by a small group of women headed by Khwairakpam Sundari Chanu (CEO). Empowering women and youths are also the management strategies. The followings are our management policies:
1. KEP will not charge for photography if it is from small digital camera or mobile phones. However, for commercial photography, films or videos, than it may be chargeable depending upon the nature of the work/s. As the area is an important historical site, we encourage educational documentary filming without any charges.
2. Students below Class 8 with schools teachers and uniforms are also exempted from charging fees.
3. The endeavor of KEP is to empower youth and women; therefore, our income will be distributed amongst the Staffs and Workers, based on their works involvements and performances.
4. The park will be dedicated for educational purpose by imparting knowledge of the local floras and faunas to the students.
5. All trees, plants and flowers will be labeled appropriately for their specific scientific or botanical names.