Following a two-year hiatus due to ethnic conflict, the Shirui Lily Festival returned to Manipur, marking the first notable Meitei migration through Kuki-Zo

Regarding the Shirui Lily Festival:

What does the Shirui Lily Festival entail?

• Arranged by: Department of Tourism, Manipur
• Initially Conducted: 2017
• Location: Ukhrul district, inhabited by the Tangkhul Naga community
• Event: Aligns with the flowering period of the Shirui Lily in May.
• Goal: Encourage eco-tourism and increase awareness about the endangered lily varieties.

Main Highlights of the Festival:

Cultural Activities: Folk performances, traditional music, and dance.

Eco-Projects: Waste pickup events and education campaigns.

Contests: Culinary competitions, beauty contests, and athletic events.

Duration: Conducted each year from May 20 to May 25 during the blooming season.

Information on Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae):

What is the Shirui Lily?

Botanical Name: Lilium mackliniae, designated by botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward in honor of his spouse Jean Macklin.

Local Name: Kashong Timrawon

Located in the Shirui Hills, Ukhrul District, Manipur at an elevation of 2,673 m.

Discovery: Recognized in 1946, although known locally for hundreds of years.

Characteristics & Importance:

Distinctive Environment: Native to a specific elevation range in the Shirui Hill area.

Conservation Status: At risk of extinction because of habitat destruction, climate change, and non-native species.

Cultural Symbolism: Safeguarded by the mythical deity Philava, a spiritual and ecological symbol for the Tangkhul community.

State Flower: Acknowledged as the official flower of the state of Manipur.

Scientific Initiatives: Scientists from ICAR-NEH, under the leadership of Dr. Manas Sahoo, implemented micropropagation from lab to land to preserve the species.