Let it blossom: How Ukhrul locals are saving the rare Shirui Lily 

Imphal: The Shirui Lily, locally known as Kashong Timrawon, is a source of pride not only for the Tangkhul community but also for the state of Manipur and India as a whole. This rare and endemic flower has gained international recognition. Discovered in 1946 by British botanist Frank Kingdon Ward, who named it after his wife Jean Macklin, the Shirui Lily achieved global acclaim after winning a prestigious award at the Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 23, 1950.

However, the Shirui Lily, which is native exclusively to the Shirui Hills in Ukhrul district, Manipur, now faces an uncertain future. Its survival is threatened by habitat loss, changing climate conditions, deforestation, wildfires, and rampant collection—all of which are largely driven by human activities.

The conservation of this rare flower and its habitat is of great concern, as the Shirui Hills are also home to the state bird, Nongin (Mrs Hume’s Pheasant), and the official state tree, Uningthou, also known as the Bonsum tree (Phoebe hainesiana).

In recent years, local communities have taken active steps to protect the Shirui Lily and its fragile ecosystem. Grassroots conservation efforts, led by villagers and local organizations, have been vital in safeguarding both the flower and the Kashong. These initiatives include patrolling the habitat during the blooming season, raising awareness among visitors, and collaborating with government agencies and scientists to monitor the plant’s health and its environment.

‘Save Shirui Lily Campaign’

The ‘Save Shirui Lily Campaign,’ a new community-based initiative under the climate adaptation plan, was recently launched in Imphal by the Miss Shirui Lily Organising Committee (MSLOC) and The Indigenous Foundation (TIF), with support from the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change and the Department of Forest, Government of Manipur. The primary goal of this campaign is to raise comprehensive public awareness, address the urgent threats to the Shirui Lily, and explore strategies to mitigate the challenges faced by the state flower.

AC Raising, chairman of MSLOC and TIF, stated that experts from various fields are being involved in the campaign to engage in rigorous discussions with different stakeholders.

Raising stated that the initiative aims to establish a strong benchmark for conserving the endangered Shirui Lily and the peak’s biodiversity. The goal is to create a platform that incorporates indigenous knowledge through community participation at the grassroots level, helping to develop concrete conservation strategies.

Esme Singh Shaiza, Miss Shirui Lily 2025, and coordinator of the conservation campaign, drew public attention to the plight of the Shirui Lily. She emphasised that Shirui Kashong (the peak where the endemic and endangered lily grows) is under threat from multiple sources. Shaiza stressed the urgent need for collective responsibility to conserve both the Shirui Lily and the broader biodiversity of the peak.

According to Shaiza, information gathered from local observations in recent years highlights a drastic decline in the population of the Shirui Lily. Additionally, the size of the flower has diminished, and its height now rarely exceeds an average of two feet. Locals recall that, in previous years, the flower’s height often surpassed three feet.

She further noted that on the lower and middle ridges of the peak, a small bamboo known locally as ‘Maram’ has rapidly invaded and displaced other species, significantly hindering the growth of the Shirui Lily. These findings are based on years of observations by local residents.

Shaiza explained that, in addition to holding seminars in Imphal and Ukhrul, the campaign will mobilize and raise awareness among stakeholders. The initiative will start with the Shirui locals and extend to civil society organizations—including faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations, student groups, environmental and climate activists, cultural activists, and media representatives. The goal is to address the ongoing and persistent issues related to the endangered Shirui Lily, the state flower of Manipur.

Additionally, Shaiza stated that the campaign will involve experts from relevant fields, individuals with traditional and indigenous knowledge, as well as government departments and institutions. Their collective expertise will contribute to addressing the challenges faced by the Shirui Lily and will help identify effective strategies for the protection and conservation of the flower and its associated biodiversity.

Locals Know the Task is Hard

Soro Wungsek, the headman of Shirui CK, remarked that while numerous events and initiatives have been organised over the years to protect the endangered Shirui lily and the region’s biodiversity, tangible progress in conserving the broader ecology of the Shirui hills remains limited. He expressed disappointment at the lack of significant results in safeguarding the peak’s overall environment.

The village headman also addressed the audience during the launch of the Save Shirui Lily Campaign, urging that such events should not become mere opportunities for financial gain. Instead, he called for the development of concrete conservation strategies and the establishment of clear goals to restore the hills to their former glory.

Yaomeikan Shangh, former president of the Shirui Youth Club, shared that each year the village youth undertake conservation and preservation activities. These initiatives aim to mitigate negative impacts on local flora and fauna and help control environmental pollution. Their ongoing commitment plays a vital role in protecting the village’s natural environment for future generations.

Some of the key conservation activities include collecting non-biodegradable waste from Shirui Kashong to reduce environmental pollution, repairing trekking footpaths and resting places to manage tourist movements and protect the environment, collecting Shirui Lily seeds prior to bamboo cutting and burning, and clearing or cutting down dwarf bamboo (locally known as Maram), which is an invasive plant. The controlled burning of the peak is carried out using traditional knowledge.

According to Shangh, the only effective way to control wildfires at the peak is through controlled burning, a practice typically carried out in December or January. He further said that when the grassland is burned at the right time, the blooming of the Shirui Lily becomes more visible.

Despite the locals’ painstaking efforts to conserve the iconic Shirui Lily and its ecosystem, the Shirui hills and the flower continue to face threats—not from nature, but from destructive human behavior.

One of the best examples occurred during the recent Shirui Lily Festival, where some visitors were reportedly seen plucking, trampling, and even uprooting the delicate lily blossoms. These actions raised serious concerns among the Shirui villagers, who serve as the custodians of the Shirui hills and their unique habitats.

What Does Shirui Hills Offer Beyond the Lily?

Shirui Hills, located in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, are renowned for the rare Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), which blooms only on these hills. However, the allure of Shirui Hills extends far beyond the famous lily and the breathtaking landscapes. The hills harbour a variety of endemic plants, wildflowers, and orchids. And most importantly, the Shirui forests are home to diverse bird species and small mammals, making it an appealing spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

According to Dr. Achan Mungleng, an independent researcher and a local resident, the Shirui Hills have been referenced in some of the earliest writings in the local language. These texts vividly describe how, during the fruiting season, the hills would come alive as birds and animals flocked to feast on the abundant fruits. The sheer number and activity of these creatures created a commotion so intense that it was likened to the sound of thunder.

So, one can only imagine the sheer number of animals and birds that would converge on the hills during the fruiting season, all drawn by the promise of abundant food, said Dr Mungleng.

This remarkable natural event highlights the ecological importance of Shirui Hills and the rich biodiversity they support.

Dr Mungleng also noted that, even today, locals rely on the Shirui Hills for traditional weather forecasting. When the weather is slightly gloomy, people look up to the hills, and if clouds are simply hovering over Shirui, they know it likely won’t rain. However, if the clouds become dense and strong over the hills, it’s a sure sign that rain is coming. This enduring practice illustrates how closely the local community observes and interprets the natural patterns of the Shirui Hills, blending traditional knowledge with daily life.

The Shirui hills also serve as one of the most important water sources to the people in the Ukhrul district throughout the year.

According to Dr Mungleng, on all four slopes of the Shirui hills, there are rivers flowing out of them. And a lot of villages settle in and around these four waterways.

The rivers and streams from the Shirui Hills are important headwaters for the Chindwin River system, which eventually drains into Myanmar and contributes to the Irrawaddy River basin. This hydrological connection highlights the significance of the Shirui Hills as a vital water catchment area in the region.

The Need for Sustainable Resource Management

Dr S Dillip from the Department of Forestry at Manipur University observed that Lilium mackliniae, a rare and endemic plant species, is found only on Shirui Kashong Hill in Manipur. He noted that this species is classified as a neoendemic species.

Dr Dillip highlighted that the declining numbers of the Shirui Lily over the years are primarily due to anthropogenic pressures and climate change. He also mentioned that erosion and the loss of surface soils and organic matter may contribute to this decline.

Furthermore, Dr Dillip emphasised the importance of sustainable resource management, especially in light of the significant tourism pressure on this unique habitat.

He also emphasised that the population of the upper zone requires a carefully designed conservation strategy modeled after the biosphere reserve approach. This strategy acknowledges that preserving the ecological integrity of core areas necessitates strict regulation of human activities. According to Dr Dillip, the system should employ a graduated level of protection, with increasingly stringent controls as one moves closer to the most sensitive areas.

Dr Dillip further suggested that the current soil conditions at Shirui Hills require comprehensive investigations, especially regarding their physical properties. He indicated that these characteristics may serve as important indicators of ongoing environmental degradation. Understanding these soil parameters is crucial, as changes in physical properties could both signal and contribute to habitat deterioration, he added.

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