Shirui Lily Festival

Source: TOI

Context: The Shirui Lily Festival resumed in Manipur after a two-year hiatus due to ethnic conflict, marking the first major movement of Meiteis through Kuki-Zo regions amid tight security.

About Shirui Lily Festival:

• What is the Shirui Lily Festival?

• Organised by: Manipur Tourism Department First Held: 2017 Venue: Ukhrul district, home to the Tangkhul Naga tribe Occasion: Coincides with the blooming season of the Shirui Lily in May Objective: Promote eco-tourism and raise awareness about the endangered lily species

• Organised by: Manipur Tourism Department

• First Held: 2017

• Venue: Ukhrul district, home to the Tangkhul Naga tribe

• Occasion: Coincides with the blooming season of the Shirui Lily in May

• Objective: Promote eco-tourism and raise awareness about the endangered lily species

• Key Features of the Festival:

• Cultural Programs: Traditional dances, music, and folk performances. Eco-Initiatives: Trash collection drives and awareness campaigns. Competitions: Cooking contests, beauty pageants, and sports events. Duration: Held from May 20 to May 25 annually during bloom season.

• Cultural Programs: Traditional dances, music, and folk performances.

• Eco-Initiatives: Trash collection drives and awareness campaigns.

• Competitions: Cooking contests, beauty pageants, and sports events.

• Duration: Held from May 20 to May 25 annually during bloom season.

About Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae):

• What is the Shirui Lily?

• Botanical Name: Lilium mackliniae, named by botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward after his wife Jean Macklin

• Local Name: Kashong Timrawon

• Found In: Shirui Hills, Ukhrul District, Manipur at 2,673 m elevation

• Discovery: Identified in 1946, though locally known for centuries

• Features & Significance:

• Unique Habitat: Endemic to a narrow altitudinal range in Shirui Hill range. Conservation Status: Endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species. Cultural Symbolism: Protected by mythic deity Philava, spiritual and ecological emblem of the Tangkhul community. State Flower: Recognised as the official state flower of Manipur. Scientific Efforts: ICAR-NEH scientists led by Dr. Manas Sahoo undertook lab-to-land micropropagation to conserve the species.

• Unique Habitat: Endemic to a narrow altitudinal range in Shirui Hill range.

• Conservation Status: Endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species.

• Cultural Symbolism: Protected by mythic deity Philava, spiritual and ecological emblem of the Tangkhul community.

• State Flower: Recognised as the official state flower of Manipur.

• Scientific Efforts: ICAR-NEH scientists led by Dr. Manas Sahoo undertook lab-to-land micropropagation to conserve the species.