In a quest to replenish the rapidly vanishing rhododendron flowers on Mount Tiyi, Wokha, the Wokha Forest Division along with the Wokha Village Council (WVC) and some concerned individuals planted 500 saplings of rhododendron arboreum on Septemebr 3 and 4, 2020.
A press release by DFO Wokha, Zuthunglo Patton stated that, the saplings were contributed by DFO Silviculture Division of Meghalaya Forest Department, Terakchi K Marak. Rhododendron is considered to be a keystone species and therefore, their restoration and conservation promotes the existence of other biodiversity components. The release stated that, they need to be conserved as changes in climate affect the life cycle of this important species apart from constant human interference.
Forest department and WVC 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.
Forest department also appealed to the general 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 in order to make natural regeneration possible and let them thrive. Mount Tiyi is known as the “abode of souls” and is the only natural habitat for the rhododendrons in Wokha district.