Rhododenron plantation by Wokha Forest Division and Wokha Village Council on Mount Tiyi, Wokha.
Wokha, September 5 (MExN): Wokha Forest Division along with the Wokha Village Council and some concerned individuals planted 500 saplings of Rhododendron Arboreum (also known as Subenthera in Lotha language) in Mount Tiyi on September 3 and 4.
The saplings were contributed by Terakchi K Marak, IFS, DFO Silviculture Division of Meghalaya Forest Department.
“This was taken up in a quest to replenish the rapidly vanishing rhododendron populations on Mount Tiyi, which is known as the “abode of souls”, and is the only natural habitat for rhododendrons in Wokha District,’ stated a press release.
The Rhododendron is considered to be a keystone species and therefore, their restoration and conservation promotes the existence of other biodiversity components. They need to be conserved as changes in climate affect the life cycle of this important species apart from constant human interference.
The Forest Department and Wokha Village Council have jointly resolved to ensure the survival of this plantation for posterity and anyone found guilty of uprooting or destroying the newly planted saplings would be dealt with as per the law.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has also appealed the public of Wokha Town and all the surrounding villages to refrain from plucking the flowers or breaking the branches of the few surviving Rhododendron trees on Mount Tiyi during the flowering season inorder to make natural regeneration possible and let them thrive.
