Stage set for 2nd edition of Shirui Lily Fest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 21 2018:
In sync with the slogan "Go to the Hills" of Chief Minister N Biren-led BJP Government, the Tourism Department is all set to hold the 2nd edition of Shirui Lily Festival as a State level festival.
The Shirui Lily Festival 2018 to be held from April 24 to 28 at Ukhrul district will be spread over multiple venues which include the Shirui Village Ground where the opening ceremony will be held on April 24, the TNL Ground where the closing ceremony will be held on April 28 and the Bakshi Ground where the Shirock 2018 featuring two International bands from USA, Steelheart and Queensryche will be held.
Briefing media persons at Manipur Press Club this evening, Principal Secretary (Tourism) PK Singh said that the Shirui Lily Festival has turned out to be one of the biggest tourism festivals in the North East region.
He informed that many changes in terms of accommodation and traffic have been made for this year's edition to ensure that the festival could garner more accolades and recognition.
The festival is sponsored by the Department of Tourism to spread awareness about conservation of the endangered Shirui Lily and promote the district of Ukhrul as a tourist destination in Manipur.
The festival is also being supported by NEC and aims at promoting afforestation and sustainable tourism efforts in the State.
Keeping in view the huge inflow of both local and inbound tourists during the festival, over 1,100 home-stays have been identified in order to support about 3,000 overnight travellers visiting the festival every day.
The main idea of promoting homestays is to develop it as a way of creating a sustainable livelihood for the locals.
Travellers looking for accommodation at Ukhrul during the festival may visit www.shirockfest.com/accommodation.php for bookings/reservations.
Actual allocation of rooms and payment for the same will be done at the Mini Secretariat at Ukhrul from April 23 onwards.
This is for the first time where homestays have been co-ordinated at such a scale for supporting tourist accommodations.
Rooms are available in three categories (Category A - Rs 1000 per person, Category B - Rs 750 per person and Category C -Rs 500 per person).
Camping facilities will also be available for accommodation on first come first serve basis.
Elaborate traffic management plan has been made with several roads declared one way.
Adequate parking sites have been identified and shuttle arrangements have also been put in place.
Also, in order to facilitate easy commutation for visitors from Imphal to the festival, the Department of Tourism has arranged regular bus services from Imphal to Ukhrul district.
Six buses will operate to and fro between Imphal and Ukhrul on subsidized fares during the festival.
The buses shall depart ISBT Complex, Deulahland at Imphal every day starting from 7 am till 9.30 am with an interval of 30 minutes between the departures of each bus.
The buses shall return to Imphal on the same day between 2 pm to 4.30 pm.
The five-day long celebration will showcase cultural performances by various cultural troupes from across the State, live music performances, exhibits, folk songs, traditional dances and indigenous games and sports competitions like the Shirui Lily Grand Prix besides other side events like camping and trekking and other adventure activities etc.
Manipur Tourism recognizes the importance of Shirui Lily as the State Flower of Manipur and the event is a part of its efforts to develop and implement sustainable and responsible tourism in the State.
With huge number of travellers visiting the State in the previous edition of the festival, Manipur Tourism aims at doubling the number of visitor arrivals to the State in this edition of the festival.
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