Blooming Rhododendrons add beauty to Mt Khorung

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Mar 5 : The scarlet red flowers of Rhododendron that bloom in early spring now adorn Mt Khorung peak with many visitors flocking to get a glimpse of the picturesque view.
Mt Khorung is about 22 Kms from Ukhrul town just above Imphal-Kamjong road.
The Khangkhui Khullen village in their consistent effort to develop the hill peak into a eco- tourism centre had preserved a 9 square Km area bordering Changa village, Gamnoun, Harva Khangai and Mangsor cave.
Members of the Khangkhui Khullen Tourism Development Organisation (KKTDO) on Tuesday visited the hillock for developing the naturally gifted mountain.
The village has a plan to beautify the mountain and is all set to make the elevated slope of 500 metres above Imphal-Kamjong road as a garden of wild Rhododendrons that would attract visitors and boom the local economy.
A rest camp will be constructed with an approach Blooming
Rhododendrons add beauty to Mt Khorung road from Kamjong road for easy access, said Agnis Sami, chairman of KKTDO.
Sami said Khorung mountain slope is clad with scarlet red flowers that bloom from early February till mid March.
Khorung is the pride of our village, Sami added.
He said the height of the Rhododendrons of Mt Khorung ranges from 2 to 20 feet.
Rhododendron trees are widely used for wood craft, furniture etc for its durability, strength and smoothness.
The Tangkhul community, traditionally, uses the petals of rhododendron for treating and removing fish bone that is stuck in the throat, Sami said.
Mt Khorung is a historical place where the  British and Japanese fought each other. Shilton corner, a curved corner in the foothill, was named after a British soldier named Shilton who was killed on the site, Sami said.
Khorung hillock looks beautiful throughout the year.
In the spring season, blooming rhododendrons adorn the mountain.
During monsoon season, the entire slope is clad with Huyawon and during September month, white wild flowers called Khorungwon makes it more picturesque and pleasant. The southern side of Mt Khorung is covered with thick forest and is home to many wild animals, and numerous varieties of orchids.