Ukhrul, May 20: The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Tuesday released a coffee table book “The Mystical Shirui” during the opening ceremony of the 5th Shirui Lily Festival 2025, in the presence of Anurag Bajpai (IFS), Additional Chief Secretary (TA & Hills) and PCCF & HoFF, Forest Department, Manipur, along with other dignitaries.
The coffee table book “The Mystical Shirui”, produced by the Forest Department, Manipur, is a visually stunning collection of photographs and informative texts showcasing the rare and beautiful Shirui Lily and the Shirui Hill ecosystem.
Later, the Governor also inaugurated the “Art Residency cum Exhibition”, an initiative by the Forest Department, Manipur, at the Heritage Ground, Vangayan Shirui.
The Shirui Lily (Kashongwon) was declared the ‘State Flower of Manipur’ by the Government of Manipur on 21 March 1989. The first celebration of District Level Shirui Lily Week was held in 2012. In 2017, the District Level Shirui Lily Festival became a ‘State Festival’ to raise awareness about the rare flower.
In 1987, the Shirui Lily was placed in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants as an endangered species.
For the Tangkhul Naga community, indigenous to Ukhrul, the Shirui Lily is a cultural cornerstone. Known locally as Kashongwon, it features in folklore as a symbol of purity and resilience.
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The Tangkhul Naga integrate the lily into their ethnobotanical practices, using its bulbs sparingly for medicinal purposes, though overharvesting has been curbed through community advocacy. The lily’s presence in oral traditions reinforces its role as a unifying emblem for the community, closely interwoven with their identity and the land.
In ecotourism, the Shirui Lily is a star attraction, drawing visitors to Shirui Hills during its May-June bloom. Trekking trails, homestays, and guided tours centered on the lily generate revenue for the Tangkhul Naga, supporting livelihoods while promoting conservation awareness.
Events like the Shirui Lily Festival, organized by the Manipur Tourism Department, showcase the flower alongside Tangkhul culture, featuring music, dance, and local crafts.
The region, with more than 695 bird species and diverse mammals and primates, underscores its ecological significance. However, threats like habitat fragmentation and poaching jeopardize their survival.
The coffee table book will be a valuable source of information for those seeking to learn more about Shirui and its biodiversity.