Ukhrul District is best introduced by
its beautiful Shirui Lily, Lilium Mackleanae Sealy, grown only on the peak of
Shirui Kashung, some 18 Km. East of the district HQ. Ukhrul. This world famous
Shirui Lily, which belongs to the lilium family was discovered by Frank Kingdon
Ward in 1946 when he came to Manipur Hills for botanical collection on behalf
of the New York Botanical Garden. The rareness and the uniqueness of this Lily
is that, it has seven colours when examined through a microscope. Later, Frank
won the prestigious prize of the Royal Horticulture Society Award, Landon in
1948. This Lily plant is 2ft. to 3ft. tall, consisting of a hard stem around
which lanceolate leaves are spirally arranged.
Shirui Lily was declared the State Flower in 1989 on March 21. Native to Tangkhul
Hills and grown only on Shirui Peak, it is endemic to the region and considered
as the most fabulous wealth of the Tangkhuls.
The District is gifted with rich flora and fauna. There are hundreds of varieties
of trees , barderian flowering plants, orchids of enumerable hues and kinds,
Epiphetic ferns, varied species of plants and shrubs. Some of the known species
of plants and trees are : Alder (Alnus nepalensis), Prunus cirosirdes, Symingtonia,
Acacia auriculifornis, Parkia javanica, Paraserrianthes falcotaria, Michelia
oblanga, Cmilina arborea, pinus kerya, robinea psedudoacacia, besides various
iris species, wild roses, red and white rhododendrons etc.
This tropical forest is also the habitat of many valued species of birds and
animals. Many threatened species like, the tragopan blythii, pangolin (ant
eater), salamander, tiger, porcubine, hooting monkey, leopard, big-small and
medium size black bears, elephant, wild buffalo, wild boars, deers and stags,
wild goats and many unidentified species are found in this region. Birds of
various colours and sizes are also found here including some migratory birds.
An area of 100 Sq. Km. around Shirui Peak has been declared as the National
Park in 1998 by the Government of Manipur.
Some of the important species of fish are; Golden Mhaseer (Tore Putitora)
locally known as Ngara, Snow trout (schizothorax), locally know as khainguila,
Barilius guteltus, locally called ngapaila, Mastcembelus, locally known as
chipang, Botia species, locally known as masengla, Naemecheilus species, locally
known as hangkorkhai,
Chana species, locally known as khaiva, Pontius species, locally known as
khaiwonla and khaipukla, Esomus species, locally know as wonsangla, Gara species,
cyprinio semiplotus, glyptothorax plailigopanoide, botisdorio, xenden cacila
etc.
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