Meant mainly for the visitors, the water supply scheme/water reservoir has been constructed under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) of 2009- 2010 at an estimated cost of Rs 6 lakhs with Mungleng Vathei Hill Development Society (MVHDS) as the implementing agency.
One of the planning executive of MVHDS said that construction of the water reservoir has been necessitated keeping in mind the growing number of tourists who visit Shirui Peak specially during the blooming season of Siroy Lily.
The site of the water shed construction has been taken up in the middle of the majestic peak called ‘SARUM-KATING’, which is situated at a distance of one and a half hour walk from the main-road, the National Highway 150, which passes through the starting point of the peak.
The inauguration programme was graced by Director of Planning Department, Government of Manipur KMangi Singh as the chief guest and EE, DRDA L Nara Singh as guest of honour and headman of Shirui village as functional president respectively.
During the function, members of Shirui Youth Club presented an impressively choreographed indigenous dance performance based on the modest Shirui Lily. Artists of CMPO, a renowned band of the village entertained the crowd with their enthralling music.
The inauguration programme was attended by many people from all walks of life including pastors and village elders from the adjoining areas.
Taking the opportunity of the august gathering, MHVDS drew the attention of the attending dignitaries for construction of a rest camp near the water reservoir for the recreation of the visiting tourists.
MVHDS has been doing everything possible to protect the surrounding environment of Shirui Peak, which is known in the local parlance as Kashong.
Shirui is the abode of the majestic Siroy Lily flower. Known world-wide for its rare and modest beauty, British phytologist Kingdom F Ward first discovered the flower in 1946 and and introduced it to the world through an exhibition at the Botanical Garden, London in 1950.
Using all the available resources at its disposal for the better growth of this magnificent flower, the Society has put up fencing around the main park and restriction imposed on burning the mountain sides which is one of the main factors for degrading the natural environs of Siroy Lily and hampering its full growth.
- TSE
