Editor,
The State Coordinator of EDUSAT under the Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT), Government of Meghalaya left for heavenly abode a few days ago. His friends, well-wishers and colleagues attended his last rites at his native village- Ialong of Jaintia Hills. His untimely demise is a loss not only to his family members but also to his friends and colleagues. However, we are pained to know the ‘inhumane’ treatment meted to him by the Director, DERT during the period when he was critically ill and hospitalised. The Director vide Order No. DERT/EDUSAT/21/2015 dated 3.8.2015 had replaced Mr. C Lhuid with one Mr. Pde as the Coordinator. Not only were files removed from his office but all furniture, telephone, fax machine and other office materials were shifted to the office of the new incumbent. Keys of his office room were collected from the hospital. Based on the allegation that the Utilisation Certificate was not submitted by the Late Mr Lhuid the Director went to the extent of sending her staff to hospital and demanding the full amount alleged unutilised, fund from his parents. What an ‘inhumane’ act!?
All faiths insist that ‘compassion’ is the test of true spirituality and that brings us into relation with God. The Golden Rule says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophet”. Is ‘compassion’ alien to our modern way of life?
Yours etc
Kyrshanlang Khonglah
New Hill, Jowai
West Jaintia Hill District
A rare phenomemon
Editor,
Strobilanthes echinata – A wonderful plant which flowers once in every 12 years is flowering this year in the Sung Valley between East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills. This letter is to provide additional information to those who could not follow the Khasi newspapers regarding the flower. This ordinary flower which grows as a shrub blooms during the month of September-October reportedly flowers only once in every 12 years. In Meghalaya it is found in villages of Umngot River Valley at Kut and Mawpyrshong Villages. The plants grows well in the Sung Valley which covers the areas of East Khasi and West Jaintia Hills Districts. It is also found in Khlieh Tyrshi and Mih Myntdu villages of Myntdu River Catchment and Shangpung village which is a part of the Um Umurem River Valley of West Jaintia Hills District. The actual areas of distribution of this species is yet to be explored. The scientific name of this unique flower is Strobilanthes echinata and belongs to Acantheceae Family. This Species is locally known as U ‘Tiew Jah khei or U ‘Tiew Ia-Khi in Khasi and Jaintia Hills. The other species belongs to the same family are-Strobilanthes acrocephala, Strobilanthes pectinata, Strobilanthes griffithiana, Strobilanthes rubescens, strobilanthes nobilis, Strobilanthes simomsii etc. which are abundantly grown in lower altitude regions of regions.
The geopraphical distribution of allied species endemic to Western Ghats also grows abundantly in Shola forests in Nilgiri Hills (Eravikulam National Park adjacent to Munar) which literally means the blue mountains, and got their name from the purplish to blue flowers. The scientific name of this genera in Western Ghats is Strobilanthes kunthiana and its vernacular name is known as Neelakirinji which means blue. They once used to cover the Nilgiri Hills and Palani Hills like a carpet during its flowering season as the habit of this plant is gregarious in nature. The last flowering of Neelakurunji in Kerala and Tamil Nadu is 2006.
Strobilanthes echinata species is endemic to Eastern Himalayas and Sub-Himalayas and is widely confined in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Indo-Myanmar Region etc.
Habitat & Soil types: Strobilanthes echinata do not thrive well in type of soil having impermeable rock strata but they prefer well drained soils where the following grass species such as Eulalia quadrinervis (Langkynpiat/Langtongkhar), Andropogon gryllus (Langtylli),Erianthus fulvus (Langkhar) are commonly found. But they do not grow in those areas covered with grasses such as Dimeria fuscescens(langkseh), Arundinella khasiana (Langtohriah) etc. as these grass species prefer marshy areas.
Vulnerability- This species is moderately Light demander and they are likely to be suppressed by exotic shrubs like Lantana camarawhich is more powerful to dominate and aggressive. Slash and Bun or shifting cultivation eliminate the species from their natural habitat. The species may extend their growth into the degraded forest lands also but when the dense forest area with a closed canopy cover up they cannot withstand the adverse conditions which will hamper their growth and ultimately die out.
Strobilanthes echinata is observed to be the only species of Acantheceae Family that are commonly grown in higher altitude, while the other species of the Family are growing in lower altitude under tropical and Sub-tropical regions. It is suggested to the Govt. of Meghalaya to establish some Strobilanthes Botanical Gardens in those areas where they are commonly found for preservation and Demonstration of this unique plant. For additional information regarding Strobilanthes echinata the following persons of the respective localities where the species is found can be contacted:
- DFO, Silviculture Division, Lower Lachumeire, Shillong.
- Mr. Chess Sohtun (Kut Village)-9856640923
- Mr. Kitbok Kharsunai (Puriang Vilage)-9862082249
- Mr. P.Kharbuli , Shillong-9436312639
- Mr.Patric Lamare, Jowai-9856652521
- Mr. B.P. Marwein, Shillong-8575436621
- Mr. W. Nongsiej, Shillong-961519724
Yours etc.,
Messrs B.P Marwein & W.Nonsiej),
Via email