Tamenglong District is blessed with virgin forests, exotic orchids, rare and endangered plants, and wildlife. The forests can be grouped as Tropical-Ever-green forest, Sub-tropical forest and Bamboo brakes. The dense tropical Evergreen Forests are located along both the sides of rivers flowing in the district, varieties of ground flora, creepers, herbs and grasses are found here. These forest are the main source of timbers. Cane brakes are found in and around water bodies. The Sub-tropical forests are found on the highest altitudes. Varieties of orchids are found in this zone of forests. In the degraded forest areas the bamboo brakes are found in plenty. The forests are rich in wildlife. Pheasants, peafowl, jungle fowls are important birds of this area. The Sambar, deer, hog deer, bear, fox, hyena, wild pig, wild dogs, slow loris, serow are reported. Leopard and Tiger are also reported from Barak valley area and Tousem area. Migrated herds Elephants are sighted in Tousem during winter. Krait, Cobra, Viper and Python are found inside the forest. Large tortoises are found in the Zeilad lake. Varieties of cranes, ducks and teal are seen in the Zeilad lake. European Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, or Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni (local name is Akhoipuna / Kiuhoipuna), the migratory bird visits Tamenglong during the early winter till the last week of November. Tamenglong is called as the land of the Hornbill. Great pied Hornbill (Buceros bicornis homrai), Indian pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros malabaricus malabaricus) species are found. A number of exquisite orchids are found. They are epiphytic, lithophytic and terrestrial in nature. The Dendrobium, Vanda, Cymbidium, Cattleya and Lycaste are found in abundance. The Phius tunkervels, a rare terrestrial orchid is found in the Barak valley. Thunia alba which is known as bamboo orchid is found around Taobam village. Paphiopedilum is found in Leimatak area.

Places of Interest

- Along the river Barak there are seven waterfalls in series at close range. The picture is at the third step of the waterfall.

- The famous Tharon cave is located at about 27 kms from the district HQ. The map of the entire cave is engraved and painted on a stone at the main entrance. Archeological excavation of the cave shows affinities with Hobinian culture of North Vietnam.

- The legendary Zeilad lake at Makoi (Atengba) is associated with a number of pythons, fishes and water birds. There are six other lakes nearby Guiphop Zei, Nrou Zei, Nap-sam Zei etc.

- The Buning (N-piulong) meadow is located on the western side of the picturesque Tamei town. A number of well-groomed uneven small mounts, numerous glittering brooks studded the stretch. Come June the meadow is coloured with enchanting groud orchids and various wild lilies. Cry of Hoolock gibbon howling of foxes melodious chirping of birds altogether form Buning a big family of the wildlife evoking wonder and admiration of many who have witnessed the meadow.

The district of Thoubal, which occupies the bigger portion of the eastern half of the Manipur Valley, takes the shape of an irregular and triangular with its base facing north. It lies between 23 45' N and 24 45' N latitude and 93 45' E and 94 15' E longitude. It is bounded on the north by Imphal district, on the east by Ukhrul and Chandel districts, on the south by Chandel and Churachandpur districts and on the west by the districts of Imphal and Bishnupur. It has an area of 514 sq.kms. as supplied by the Surveyor General of India. Its average elevation is not very much different from the rest of the Manipur Valley which is about 790 metres on an average above the sea level. Although the district is a part of the valley, the area of the district is not entirely plain. Many rivers flow through the district and many lakes dot its surface. Some of which are closely inter-twined with many folk tales and stories, of which mention may be made of the fishing and other episodes of the love story of the legendary Khamba-Thoibi. In fact, all important lakes of Manipur, with the exception of Loktak, are in this district. The State of Manipur used to supplement its meager resources from the annual lease of the lakes in the past.

The district came into existence in May, 1983. The district has two community development blocks. It has 9 main towns. namely, Lilong ( Thoubal ), Thoubal,Yairipok, Shikhong Sekmai, Wangjing, Heirok, Kakching, Kakching Khunou and Sugnu and a part of Samurou whose major portion is in the Imphal District. Thoubal and Kakching are Municipalities.

Rivers

Important rivers that flow through the district are the Imphal and the Thoubal. The Thoubal river originates in the hill ranges of Ukhrul and is an important tributory of the Imphal river. On its course, it passes through Yairipok and Thoubal before joining the Imphal at Irong near Mayang Imphal. The Imphal river rises in the hills of Senapati district and flows south. It forms the boundary demarcating line of Thoubal district on its north and the west. During the dry seasons these rivers are lean and thin but, during the rainy monsoon periods these rivers are very wild and frequent floods occur causing widespread damage to the paddy fields, property and life. These rivers were once good means of transport for valuable merchandise. Other rivers in the district are the Wangjing, the Arong and the Sekmai. These rivers originate in the hills of Ukhrul district. The Arong river flows through Khangabok and falls into Kharung Pat. The Wangjing river flows west via Heirok and Wangjing before joining the Loushi Pat. With the advent of cheap and faster means of road transport these rivers no longer serve as routes of transportation of goods. Still they provide good building materials in the shape of sand, pebbles and boulders and a means of livelihood for a large number of people inhabiting along their courses.

Lakes

The south-western portion of the district is a low-land forming a part of the Loktak Lake region and this area has a number of shallow and rain fed lakes, the important ones being Kharung, Ikop, Pumlen, Lousi and Ngangou. On the northern portion there is Waithou lake form by the drainage waters sandwiched between Waithou hill on the west and the villages and paddy fields on the east. Due to constant siltation and reclamation of vast areas for agricultural purposes the lakes are gradually shrinking in size and at present some of them are only in name. These lakes drain into the Imphal river. They provided very good fishing ground for a variety of fishes in the recent past.

Hills

The district is dotted by a few hillocks and hills of low heights. Some of them are without, part of Khekman range, Mantak, Kwarok and Thongam Mondum-Punam. Of these, Punam hill has an elevation of 3310 ft. above sea level. Geologically, Khekman range belongs to the Brail Series and Simsang formation. Good vegetation once covered these hills. But constant deforestation have made them barren and unattractive. As the pressure on land increases with a rapid increases in population, there has been a tendency in recent years to use the hills sites for better productive plantation, specially pineapples.

Climate

On the whole, the district has an equitable and pleasant climate. Rainfall is relatively abundant and widespread. The rainy season starts in June with the onset of the south-west monsoon and last upto September. Intermittent rains continue even upto October along with the retreat of the monsoon. The cold season last from December to February. During the winter months light rainfall occurs under the influence of the north-east monsoon, March and October are by far the most pleasant months in the year. April and May are not hot season followed by occasional thunder storms. Of Late, some changes in the climate calendar in the state are observed which some expert meteorologists attribute the cause as mainly due to deforestation in the hills surrounding the valley.

Flora and Fauna

Various types of trees are found all over the district. But the more commonly found varieties include Pipal trees. Kabulliua, ( Oravila robusta ), Khok ( Albizzia Spp), Tera ( Salimalia Malabarica ), Sileima ( Eugenia pracox), Tairen ( Cedrela loona ) etc. Bamboos and plantain trees are common everywhere. Various types of fruit-bearing plants also thrive in the districts. Important varieties are pineapple, pear, peach, Jack fruit, banana, mango, lemon, plum, guava, amla etc. The habit of the local people to plant banyan trees along the road side and bamboos and fruit bearing trees within their compounds give the rural areas a permanent green scenery. Recently, the Government as also introduced plantation of quick growing trees under the social forestry programme along the road side.

In spite of its rich vegetation, due to the absence of any forest worth the name within the district wild animals are not found abundantly, Deer and Jungle fowl are some of the varieties found at present occasionally along the slope of eastern hills adjoining the district. But the lakes support a variety of wild birds such as partridge, snipe, duck, geese, etc. particularly in winter months. These birds are mostly migratory in character. Some of them are seen coming from far off Siberia. With the gradual conversation of the lakes into agricultural lands these migratory birds are seen in increasingly fewer members in recent times.

Mineral Resources

The district is generally poor in mineral resources. Among the minerals found in the district, brine spring are of some significance. This springs are found along the foothills on the eastern part of the valley. Water from this springs are boiled and salt is extracted by the method of evaporation. Salt is manufacture in the form of beautiful cakes and they are consider to have a good medicinal property. These salt cakes are used in ceremonial purposes also. Important places where brine springs are found are Waikhong, Sikhong, Chandrakhong, Ningel etc. The district has a number of places where red clay suitable for pottery is found. These are mainly available on the eastern side of the valley around Waikhong, Nongpok Sekmai, Thongjao, Chairel etc. Naturally these areas are associated with pottery of very good types. Some qualities of low grade iron ore is found at Kakching.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the most important source of livelihood for the people of the district. More than 70 per cent of the total population of the district are directly or indirectly depended on agricultural activities. The valley is fertile and the topography of the district provides good opportunity for irrigation, natural as well as artificial. Rice accounts for above 90% of the total land area under cultivation. Although the average land holding is one of the lowest in India, yield per acre is comparatively high. With the increasing use of fertilizers and the modern methods of cultivation, there is a great scope of increasing the overall production.

Animal Husbandry

Important livestocks found in the district are cattle, buffaloes, goats, horses and ponies, pigs, dogs etc. According to 1987 livestoks census, there are about 1,20,000 cattle and 8,000 buffaloes in the district. They are reared for milk and for motive power in cultivation works. Cattle accounts a little more than 82%of the total number of livestock in the district. Sheep, goats and pigs are kept mainly for their meat. Fowls and ducks are the most important poultry found in the district, fowls alone accounting for 60.91% of the total poultry in the district. There are 7 veterinary hospitals and 22 dispensaries in the district giving benefits of inoculation to more than 20,000 cattle heads. Significant progress have been made in the district in the direction of production of milk, breeding of better varieties of cattle and poultry, and generation of employment through piggery and poultry development.

Fishing

Fishing provides an important occupation for a large number of people in the district. The activity Is mainly conducted in the lakes and the enclosed low lands besides small ponds within the precincts of the household. Waithou, Kharung and Ikop are specially important for 'Ngaton', a variety of small fish noted for its taste. This fish as also Ngaaroi, Pengba, Tharak, Ngahou, etc. ( all local names ) was once caught in the lakes of the district in good measures. But the large scale use of pesticides for agricultural purposes and the reclamation of the habitat and the special breeding grounds of these fishes are largely responsible for their gradual disappearance from the lakes and their catch now-a-days is almost negligible. There are 2 fish farms in public sector and 44 farms in private sector during 1987-88. Production table fishes in that year amounted to 3.5 tones and fish fingerlings to 11.9 lakhs numbers.

Electricity and Power

The district does not have any power house, either hydel or diesel. It gets its supply of power from the Loktak Hydro Electric Power House.

Roads

The district has a fairly developed system of road transport. All towns and important villages in the district are connected either by the National or State or district or village roads. The total road length in the district in 1987 is 506.40 km which compares very favourably with the total district area 514.sq.km.

Places of Historical importance and Tourist interest

Khongjom

It is situated above 10 kms. to the south of Thoubal, the district headquarters ( 32 kms from Imphal ). It is the place where last war of Manipur's independence was fought between the Manipuri and the British soldiers. It has got a memorial erected on a small hillock, Khongjom is well served by the National highway. An eight-bedded Tourist home has been functioning there since 1988.

Sugnu

Situated 74 kms. from Imphal, the place is an important trading centre on the south of the district. From here a Beautiful view of the Imphal river can be seen. It is on the Imphal - Sugnu State highway.

Waithou

The place is important for its scenic beauty. There is an inspection bunglow on the hill-side over looking the Waithou Lake. The place is noted for its tasteful pineapples. An exotic and delicious variety of local fish known as 'Ngaton' used to be available at this place abundantly till a few years back from now. It is on the National highway about 3 kms. from the district headquarters.

Kakching

It is the sub-divisional headquarters of Kakching sub-division and is a famous trading centre of a variety of vegetables, fishes and rice next to Thoubal, the biggest town in the district. The place is easily approachable from the National highway and is connected to the other State highways.

Thoubal

It is the district headquarter of Thoubal district and also the sub-divisional headquarters of Thoubal sub-division. Situated at a distance of 22 kms. from Imphal, the National highway No. 39 divides the town almost into halves from north to south length-wise. The Thoubal river flows through the centre of the town from east to west. It is the biggest town in the district and is one of the most important trading centre of the district. The town has all the infrastructures of a fast developing urban area.

Pallel

It is a place situated at the border of Thoubal and Chandel districts and is the meeting place of plain areas of Thoubal and the hill areas of Chandel. Indo-Myanmar road from Imphal to Moreh passes through it. With its hills and rivers the place has a beautiful landscape. Typical agricultural Products and nice handicrafts of the hilly people are regularly found in its daily market.