Razeba residents celebrate Rhododendron festival

Our Correspondent
Razeba, March 15 (EMN): In a bid to revive the once abundant rhododendron (also the state flower), residents of Razeba town under Phek district on Tuesday celebrated the first ‘Dupa ni’, which means Rhododendron festival.

Since time immemorial, Razeba is popularly known as ‘Dupazu’ among the locals, meaning a ‘place where rhododendron grows’ and the people are known as ‘Dupazume’. This is because of the abundance of rhododendrons in the area where Razeba town now stands.

However, the once flourishing rhododendrons of the place have been reduced to only a handful of flowering trees.

Located about 8 km away from Pfütsero town, Razeba town is an administrative centre of Pula speaking Chakhesang people viz, Zhavame, Zelome, and Tsupfüme villages bordering Manipur.

Realising the significance of the name of the place, dwellers of Razeba/Dupazu resolved to celebrate ‘Dupa ni’ on March 15 every year, starting this year.

The day has been specifically chosen because the flower is in full bloom in March and continues up to May.

Convenor of organising committee Dupa Ni, Neilhouzü Zholia said that it’s been some years now that the Razeba Adhoc Town Committee has been implementing rules mandating every household to plant at least one or more rhododendron saplings every year to conserve the flowering plant.

MLA Kezhienyi Khalo, who was the first speaker of the event, asserted that ‘well begun is half done’ and encouraged to continue to take it forward from here.

 He further challenged residents to plant more rhododendrons in the area.

Retired Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Vechisalü Nukhu, said that there are a lot of other festivals in Nagaland but Rhododendron festival is the first of its kind.

She also spoke about the medicinal values of rhododendron apart from its beauty. It has many health benefits including prevention of cancer, decrease cholesterol and diabetes etc.

‘Let Dupa ni be a festival of change for ecology by planting and preserving not only rhododendron but other kinds of shrubs and plants’, she said and challenged the people to plant more fruit bearing and flowering trees where economy can also be uplifted.

Nukhu further called upon all to resolve to take care of God-given natural resources.

President of Chakhesang Public Organisation CPO) Vezühü Keyho said that the time has come for people to conserve and promote Dupa. He added that the initiative is in tune with the CPO’s resolution of preserving biodiversity and medical plants.

Zhonelu Tunyi, President of Chakhesang Mothers’ Association also appreciated the residents of Razeba for taking the initiative to preserve the plants. She expressed hope that it will be a place of attraction to the locals, community, Nagas and beyond.

Paul Dukru, President Razeba Public Organisation, said that the Chakhesangs are going to promote the once forgotten good traits of ancestors. He advised CPO to restrict the practices of hunting and other activities that might harm biodiversity.

Welcoming the initiation of the first Dupa Ni, Chakhesang Youth Organisation Kohina President Vevoyi D Vadeo contributed seed money for promotion of the Rhododendron festival.