A Rhododendron tree in full bloom at Razeba. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Phek | March 15
During the early 1960s, P Paul Dukru, President of Razeba Public Organisation saw the length and breadth of Razeba filled with Rhododendrons. “We were young boys then,” he relates while highlighting that there were thousands of Rhododendron trees during that time.
As a young student of Class 5 at the Government Primary School (now GHS) Razeba, Lecho Krocha also recalls that the school was surrounded by Rhodendron trees, which is the state flower of Nagaland.
“It would bloom in abundance heralding the onset of spring and studying at the GMS was like studying in a flower garden. Other children would also pick the flowers and bring them home to play,” he further recollects.
Razeba is an adhoc town and an administrative centre of Püla speaking Chakhesang people including Zhavame, Zelome and Tsüpfüme villages under Phek district. Tucked away at a distance of 8 kilometers from the sub-headquarter of Pfütsero, Razeba is locally known as Dupazu. Dupa literally translates to Rhodendron and 'Dupazu' means 'Place where Rhodendron grows'.
The area, which was once full of Rhododendrons, however had to pay the price of human development and activity, when the flowers started disappearing during the 1970s. It was only several decades later that the people of the area came to a realisation that the once flourishing Rhododendrons that added so much beauty to the place, needed to be preserved.
On June 5, 2016 during World Environment Day, Vechisalü Nukhu, Retired Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, also initiated the planting of Rhododendron saplings in the area.
The students' community of the area further contributed to the cause by planting Rhododendron saplings in all the strategic places of the town.
In its effort to preserve the state flower of Nagaland, the Razeba Adhoc Town Committee has also made it mandatory for every household in Razeba to plant at least one or more Rhododendron saplings every year. This initiative has been going on for a few years now among the 136 households in the area.
The dwellers of Razeba have also resolved to set aside March 15 every year to celebrate the significance of the place by organising “Dupa Ni” (Festival) on this day. “With further cooperation, dedication and a conservative mindset from the community, we hope to see the beautiful Rhododendron brought back to its erstwhile glory and bountiful beauty,” dwellers of Razeba exude hope.
