Phawngpui
Phawngpui | |
---|---|
![]() Phawngpui Farpak | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,157 m (7,077 ft) |
Geography | |
near the Myanmar border in Chhimtuipui District | |
Region | IN |
Topo map | "NF 46-7, Gangaw, Burma"[2] |
Phawngpui (Pron: /ˌpʰɔ:ŋˈpʊɪ/), the Blue Mountain of Mizoram, is a highly revered peak, considered to be the abode of the gods. Phawngpui peak is the highest mountain peak in Mizoram,[3] rising about 2157 m[4] high near the Myanmar border in Lawngtlai district, the southeast region of Mizoram. Phawngpui peak is famous for orchids and rhododendrons. With spectacular trees and flowers of all colours, Phawngpui presents a fairytale view of the blue hazed hills, and vales unfolding below.
Etymology and origin
Phawngpui was the major centre of folk religion and folklores. The name is derived from the Lai language, phong meaning "grassland" or "meadow", and the suffix -pui meaning "great". This was because the mountain was mostly covered with all types meadows, hence appropriately the "great meadow". The mountain was, according the belief of the natives, the abode of several spiritual races. The most important folktale, perhaps, is that of a deity king named "Sangau"; the actual town at the base of the mountain has become Sangau. Sangau had a son who married the princess of another royal family called Cherian. At the wedding was an exchange of gifts, a couple of hoolock gibbons from Sangau and a pine tree from Cherian. The base area, the main entrance of the mountain bears that name Farpak (meaning "pine only").[5]
Geography
Phawngpui Peak in Mizoram exhibits the most enchanting view of Mizoram. There is a semi-circular beautiful cliff in the western side called Thlazuang Khàm, which has a sharp and deep fall, which serves as the natural home of mountain goats. This cliff is believed to be haunted by spirits.[6] On the peak, there is a level ground of about 2 sq km in area.
Conservation
Since 1992 the mountain has been included in the protected area of the Phawngpui National Park, to be one of the only two national parks of India in Mizoram.[7] The Government of Mizoram allows ecofriendly visit to the mountain only during November to April.[8]
Flora and fauna
The area is encircled by matted bamboo groves and other alluring vegetations. There are varieties of butterflies, including some rare species found in this region. The Farpak area in Phawngpui is a huge grassland adjacent to a cliff area where one can sight birds like perigren falcon, Blyth's tragopan, sunbirds, grey sibia, golden-throated barbet,[9] Mrs. Hume's pheasant, hornbill, dark-rumped swift, mountain bamboo partridge, black eagle and other birds.[10] The very rare clouded leopard has been recorded in the Farpak area since 1997.[11] There have been instances of wild orchids being stolen from Phawngpui, efforts are being taken to protect and conserve it.[12]
See also
Gallery
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Park at sunrise
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Farpak grassland
References
- ^ Phawngpui at GEOnet Names Server
- ^ "NF 46-7, Gangaw, Burma" topographic map, Series U542, U.S. Army Map Service, April 1958, listed as Blue Mountain
- ^ "Phawngpui". MizoTourism.
- ^ Pachuau, Rintluanga (2009). Mizoram: A Study in Comprehensive Geography. Northern Book Center. ISBN 8172112645.
- ^ Property Direction (18 April 2013). "Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park, Mizoram". propertydirection.com. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
- ^ Bhatt SC,Bhragava GK (eds) (2006). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: Mizoram (Volume 19). Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. p. 153. ISBN 9788178353753.
{{cite book}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ World Wildlife Adventures. "Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park, Mizoram". world-wildlife-adventures.com. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
- ^ Editor (15 May 2013). "Thla 6 chhungin Rs. 10,190/- hmu". Zothlifim (in Mizo). Retrieved 2013-06-26.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Shivaram, Shivaram. "Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) National Park". The Jungle Book. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ CHOUDHURY, ANWARUDDIN (2006). "Notable bird records from Mizoram in north-east India". Oriental Bird Club. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ Ghose D (2002). "First sighting of the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa from the Blue Mountain National Park, Mizoram, India" (PDF). Current Science. 83 (1): 20–21.
- ^ "Naubân rutute an man". Vanglaini. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
External links
- Mizoram Tourism [1]