After a two-year-long Covid induced hiatus, Manipur’s Ukhrul district is all set to host the Shirui Lily Festival, 2022, which is conceived to promote sustainable tourism besides giving importance to conserving the state flower, endemic to the Kashong Hills in Shirui village, Ukhrul.
The state reporting zero Covid active cases for four consecutive days adds to the exhilaration for the four-day festival which will begin from Wednesday as the people are finally released slowly from the clutches of the pandemic.
Speaking in this regard, Tourism director W Ibohal said that requisite arrangements and preparations are almost complete except for a final touch. He said that the festival will be held in three different venues.
The inaugural programme will be at Shirui village and governor La Ganesan will be the chief guest while chief minister N Biren will preside over the function.
Bakshi ground in Ukhrul town will be the venue for Shirock, 2022 concert which will be headlined by British progressive metal band ‘Monuments’, he said, adding that various bands from across the country are also in fray for the Shirock title.
The tourism director further said that another venue for the festival is TNL ground, where there will be exhibition football matches.
Ibohal pointed out that unlike the past editions of the concert, there will be demonstrations of endangered ‘Haofa’, indigenous Tangkhul canine breed also known as ‘Tangkhul Hui’ and their significance in the Tangkhul society as a special attraction of the festival. Besides, there will also be mithun exhibitions, he added.
He maintained that the festival is also focussing on giving a fair share of adventure to the tourists and many adventure sports like downhill, mountain biking will be organised as part of the festival.
Concerning the expected number of tourists visiting the festival, the tourism director said that the footfall of tourists from outside the state is likely to be lesser this year even if the people of the state are equally excited to take part in the festival.
He recounted that there was an explosion of tourists when ‘Nazareth’ was the headliner of Shirock in 2019.
Ibohal further stated that Miss Shirui Lily, cultural performances and many exciting programmes will be part of the festival.
While expansion of the Imphal-Ukhrul road is underway, making it somewhat difficult to travel along some of its portions, he appealed to the people to share their part in promoting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts of Shirui Lily.
