SPOTLIGHT
KNOW UKHRUL
INSIGHT UKHRUL
ADMINISTRATION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flora and Fauna
Ukhrul District is best introduced by its beautiful Shirui Lily, Lilium Mackleanae Sealy, grown only on the peak of Shirui Kashung, some 18 Km. East of the district HQ. Ukhrul. This world famous Shirui Lily, which belongs to the lilium family was discovered by Frank Kingdon Ward in 1946 when he came to Manipur Hills for botanical collection on behalf of the New York Botanical Garden. The rareness and the uniqueness of this Lily is that, it has seven colours when examined through a microscope. Later, Frank won the prestigious prize of the Royal Horticulture Society Award, Landon in 1948. This Lily plant is 2ft. to 3ft. tall, consisting of a hard stem around which lanceolate leaves are spirally arranged. Shirui Lily was declared the State Flower in 1989 on March 21. Native to Tangkhul Hills and grown only on Shirui Peak, it is endemic to the region and considered as the most fabulous wealth of the Tangkhuls.
The District is gifted with rich flora and fauna. There are hundreds of varieties of trees , barderian flowering plants, orchids of enumerable hues and kinds, Epiphetic ferns, varied species of plants and shrubs. Some of the known species of plants and trees are : Alder (Alnus nepalensis), Prunus cirosirdes, Symingtonia, Acacia auriculifornis, Parkia javanica, Paraserrianthes falcotaria, Michelia oblanga, Cmilina arborea, pinus kerya, robinea psedudoacacia, besides various iris species, wild roses, red and white rhododendrons etc.
This tropical forest is also the habitat of many valued species of birds and animals. Many threatened species like, the tragopan blythii, pangolin (ant eater), salamander, tiger, porcubine, hooting monkey, leopard, big-small and medium size black bears, elephant, wild buffalo, wild boars, deers and stags, wild goats and many unidentified species are found in this region. Birds of various colours and sizes are also found here including some migratory birds. An area of 100 Sq. Km. around Shirui Peak has been declared as the National Park in 1998 by the Government of Manipur. Some of the important species of fish are; Golden Mhaseer (Tore Putitora) locally known as Ngara, Snow trout (schizothorax), locally know as khainguila, Barilius guteltus, locally called ngapaila, Mastcembelus, locally known as chipang, Botia species, locally known as masengla, Naemecheilus species, locally known as hangkorkhai, Chana species, locally known as khaiva, Pontius species, locally known as khaiwonla and khaipukla, Esomus species, locally know as wonsangla, Gara species, cyprinio semiplotus, glyptothorax plailigopanoide, botisdorio, xenden cacila etc.
Fauna :
A variety of fauna is found in the district. To an avid explorer of wild life the rich variety of rare birds and animals of this district will be of immense interest. Among the larger kind of animal, though very rare, the elephant is said to be found in the great Agon Ching range which boarders is the district with Myanmar ( Burma) Leopard and tigers are rarely seen. There are two kinds of black bear. Bishon or mithun is found mostly at eastern Ukhrul. Crested porcupine and pangolin are rarely found. Other animals found are jungle cat, wild pig, otter, field mouse, stag, etc. Monkeys of toque and baboon species are also seen.
Flora :

The district has very rich variety of flora. From amongst the flowers, the Shirui Lily (Lilium Mackelind) has achieved international fame because of its uniqueness. A British botanist named F Kingdomward discovered the uniqueness of this lily flower in 1948. This lily flower blooms in may and june of every year and also grows nowhere in the world other than on the slopes of Shirui hill range of this district. The local name of the flower is Kashongwon. According to the local legends the kashongwon is also the protective spirit which resides on the now called shirui peak. Now the flower becomes named as Shirui Lily. Haramwon is also another flower the colour of which is snow white. It takes its name Haramwon (snow white) from the snow that fails on Songrei peak where the flower blooms. Mention may be made of other names of the flowers, viz. chamtheiwon, nuisiwon, shiriwon, sikreiwon, Shilungwon, kokruiwon (rhodendron), Khayawon and Muivawon.(Reference : A tourist guide to Shirui Lily).

The evergreen forests give the district a sylvan look. Some commonly found trees in the district are :-
  1. Pine (Uchan)
  2. Albizzia spp. (Khok)
  3. Castanopsis spp. (Sahi)
  4. Mesua Ferrea (Uthau)
  5. Mangifera indica (Heinou)
  6. Phoeba Hainesiana(Uningthou)
  7. Albizza Lebbek (Uyil)
  8. Teak
  9. Oak
  10. Bamboo

Ukhrul District is best introduced by its beautiful Shirui Lily, Lilium Mackleanae Sealy, grown only on the peak of Shirui Kashong, some 18 Km. East of the district HQ. Ukhrul. This world famous Shirui Lily, which belongs to the Lilium family was discovered by Frank Kingdom Ward in 1946 when he came to Manipur Hills for botanical collection on behalf of the New York Botanical Garden. The rareness and the uniqueness of this Lily is that, it has seven colors when examined through a microscope. Later, Frank won the prestigious prize of the Royal Horticulture Society Award, Landon in 1948. This Lily plant is 2ft. to 3ft. tall, consisting of a hard stem around which lance late leaves are pirally arranged.

Shirui Lily was declared the State Flower in 1989 on March 21. Native to Tangkhul Hills and grown only on Shirui Peak, it is endemic to the region and considered as the most fabulous wealth of the Tangkhuls. The District is gifted with rich flora and fauna. There are hundreds of varieties of trees, barderian flowering plants, orchids of enumerable hues and kinds, Epiphytic ferns, varied species of plants and shrubs. Some of the known species of plants and trees are : Alder (Alnus nepalensis), Prunus cirosirdes, Symingtonia, Acacia auriculifornis, Parkia javanica, Paraserrianthes falcotaria, Michelia oblanga, Cmilina arborea, pinus kerya, robinea psedudoacacia, besides various iris species, wild roses, red and white rhododendrons etc. This tropical forest is also the habitat of many valued species of birds and animals. Many threatened species like, the tragopan blythii, pangolin (ant eater), salamander, tiger, porcubine, hooting monkey, leopard, big-small and medium size black bears, elephant, wild buffalo, wild boars, deers and stags, wild goats and many unidentified species are found in this region. Birds of various colours and sizes are also found here including some migratory birds.
An area of 100 Sq. Km. around Shirui Peak has been declared as the National Park in 1998 by the Government of Manipur. Some of the important species of fish are; Golden Mhaseer (Tore Putitora) locally known as Ngara, Snow trout (schizothorax), locally know as khainguila, Barilius guteltus, locally called ngapaila, Mastcembelus, locally known as chipang, Botia species, locally known as masengla, Naemecheilus species, locally known as hangkorkhai, Chana species, locally known as khaiva, Pontius species, locally known as khaiwonla and khaipukla, Esomus species, locally know as wonsangla, Gara species, cyprinio semiplotus, glyptothorax plailigopanoide, botisdorio, xenden cacila etc.