Manipur preparing to host Cherry Blossom Festival

Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 16 (EMN): Preparations are on for the proposed Cherry Blossom Festival in Manipur’s Mao hill town in November this year as done in Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya November last year.
As part of the preparation as well as to plant 5,000-10,000 cherry blossom trees at various tourist spots in the state, a ‘Cherry Blossom Avenue’ was inaugurated at the picturesque tourist location locally known Santhai Natural Park in Andro village about 25 km east of here on Saturday.
Forests & Environment and Horticulture & Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar and Director Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo of Institute of Bio resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) – a National Institute of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal besides three women councillors of Andro were the main guests of the simple but meaningful inaugural function.
In his speech, Minister Shyamkumar instructed the local residents to nurture the cherry blossom tree saplings which were planted on Saturday. He cautioned that, the locals would be penalised for not taking care of the tree. He said the trees will bloom after three years which will be a visual delight for all the local residents and tourists.
He also asked the IBSD scientists to utilise their advance skills and knowledge in developing the area. IBSD was hopeful that the Cherry Blossom Avenue at Andro will place Manipur on the global tourist map.
Scientists of Prof Sahoo also expressed his desire to organise Cherry Blossom Festival in Mao as being organised in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Mao has 20,000 trees of cherry blossom, which acts as carbon sink, he added.
He also made a proposal to plant 5,000-10,000 cherry blossom trees at various tourist spots in Manipur like – Sendra, War Memorial. He was optimistic that IBSD in collaboration with the State Government can create several such avenues in the State to generate economy and to maintain ecology.Cherry blossom, botanical name Prunus Cerasoides (Rosaceae), is popularly known as Sakura in Japan is a symbol of peace, prosperity and tranquillity. When the tree blooms, the flower covers the whole tree which lasts only for 10-15 days.