Shillong: The Department of Forests and Environment have inaugurated the Rhododendron trek route in Shillong on Friday.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Forces, C. Budnah while inaugurating the trekking route at 2 ½ Mile, Upper Shillong said that the route was an old horse road used by the British to travel to Sangmein. It covers 6km of length and starts from 2 ½ mile and ends at Sangmein.
Children from schools participated in the trekking. The route has many beautiful Rhododendron flowering trees which attract nature lovers and children to feel tranquility and serenity in pristine nature. The Department opened this route for creating awareness among the public on the importance of forests, its role in providing water and also to encourage school children to develop interest in trekking for mental health and physical fitness.
The trek route remains open from October to April on every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, but no trekking is allowed after sunset. Littering along the trek route is strictly prohibited and trekkers are instructed not to throw lighted materials like cigarette, beedi and others in the forest and not to kill wild animals and birds, which is a punishable offence under Forest Acts.
