Heibok Ching
Heibok Ching, also known as Heipok Ching, is a hill located in the Langthabal region of Imphal West district of Manipur, India. Its biodiversity is protected as a reserve forest by the Government of Manipur. It is regarded as a sacred hill in the culture of Manipur.The Government of Manipur published a gazette notification on 2 December 2014, giving Heibok Ching the status of a revenue village, under the name “68-Heibok Ching”, in accordance to the Section 2 of the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms Act, 1960.Current status
In 2024, the Government of Manipur took the concerns about issues of global warming and the significance of Heibok Ching in protecting environment and biodiversity. Thus, they gave Heibok Ching the status of a Reserved Forest under the section 4 of Indian Forest Act, 1927.In Meitei mythology and folklore of Manipur, the Heibok is associated with the story of a mythical giant bird named Kakyen. It was believed that the dead bodies of people disposed in a river near this hill, were picked up by the colossal avian creature.Heibok Ching is mentioned in the Meitei language novel named "Madhabi", authored by Kamal Singh, as a beautiful place where the two lovers Dhiren and Madhabi meet.