Villagers seek Govt's attention to Shirui Lily
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 22 2016: Villagers of Shirui village are anticipating State Government's attention towards the State flower Shirui Lily found only on the peaks of Shirui Kashong range, Ukhrul (80 kms from Imphal) .

In the recently concluded Shirui Lily Festival 2016, which began from May 18, villagers showed their longing for the departments concerned and authorities of the State Government to give equal priority to the State flower like it is being given to the State animal Sangai.

Shirui Lily commonly known as Kashing Timrawon in Ukhrul is believed to be a protective spirit that rests on Shirui peak by the people of the area.

It symbolizes prosperity and happy life.

According to locals the lily bloomed abundantly in the lower hill known as Shongra, middle Sarumkateng and at the peak of Shongrei in the month of May and June earlier.

But now due to climate change, the flower grows only at Shongrei at present, the villagers informed.

Citing the importance for conservation of Shirui Lily, Chairman ADC Ukhrul district Dr Yarongsho Ngalung at the concluding day of Shirui Lily Festival said the flower is equally important as the State animal Sangai.

The State Government has given top priority for the conservation and preservation of Sangai and its habitat but Shirui Lily has been left neglected, he said.

Even though Shirui Lily offers tremendous prospect for the development of tourism in the State, the Government has taken no concrete steps to develop the same, he alleged.

Transfer of power to the ADCs can help in the conservation of the Shirui Lily to a great extent, he opined.

The villagers of Shirui are working their part to conserve the rare flower by mobilizing volunteers to prevent tourists from polluting the Shirui peaks.

Villagers told The Sangai Express that every year a large number of tourists visit the place to have a glimpse of the rare flower which blooms only once in a year.

With increased number of tourists chances of polluting the peak have increased and so volunteers are inducted to prevent such happenings.

Awareness to prevent deforestation has also been initiated to keep the ecosystem intact, the villagers informed.

The Shirui peak offers other variety of seasonal flowers that attract tourists all year round.

Various winter flower and rare birds like 'Nongin' attract naturalists and enthusiasts while others visit the place for activities like trekking, the villagers said.

Some residents of the area are providing rest house for tourists as no official guest house has been set up by the department concerned.

Former village chief of Shirui village Ningam Shangh said the State Government initiated steps to construct three important infrastructure at the foothills of Shirui hills, but were stopped midway.

Even though all constructions began more than ten years back none of them are functional, he stated.

Adding to the despair of villagers the road leading to the lower Shirui hills has not been constructed yet.

Ningam said the villagers are doing their best to preserve and promote Shirui Lily and tourism in the area.

"If there is no help from Government, how can villagers alone protect and preserve the State flower and promote tourism," he asked.

The flower is not only for Shirui villagers but for the entire State and the Nation at large.

The State Government should be held responsible for their negligence in conservation and preservation of the rare lily, he said.

If proper infrastructure are not developed and steps to conserve the lily are not initiated at the earliest, Shirui Lily could face extinction owing to the degrading ecosystem and change in ecosystem.

Comment