World's tallest topiary on the verge of extinction
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, March 11 2014 :
Samban-Lei, one of the world's tallest topiary enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records which was created by Moirangtham Okendra of Kumbi, Manipur will no longer be appreciated and listed as one of the rarest kinds as its height has been reduced by 40 feet from the initial 60 feet.
The reason for the reduce in the height of the topiary is negligence from the part of the state government and authorities concerned, lamented Okendra who takes care of the Samban-Lei while giving a brief account of the media in the sidelines of a calendar releasing function held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal yesterday.
Okendra said that he had spent more than 35 years of his life to establish the Samban-Lei Sekpil (Local name) but, he now feels that he should stop looking after it as the government has not supported his venture to nurture its growth and development.
He said that he would instead, establish a school for children.
Even though the Samban-Lei Sekpil was enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002 for measuring an amazing height of 61 feet, the government's unsupportive attitude has left the topiary reduced by 20 feet.
Unless the government supports his work, he would not generate the plant again, Okendra added.He said that after 7 years after the Samban-Lei was enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Record, the government had assisted him with his work by providing a sum of Rs 5 lakhs and again in 2011-2012, he was given Rs 1.4 lakhs.
Okendra further said that the UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to the government of Manipur to nurture and save the Samban-Lei, but, the state government has not paid any attention to develop it which clearly shows their negligence.