The first Pitcher Plant Festival concluded in Baghmara under South Garo Hills today.
Pitcher Plant, locally known as Me’mang Koksi is a carnivorous plant that attracts small insects with its nectar and traps them with its outer leaf covering. It is found in abundance in the village of Awemong. Amidst the rich biodiversity of Meghalaya, the pitcher plant is a prominent one. Beside it, the Me’mang Narang or Citrus Indica found in Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is also world famous.
The festival which was a collaborative effort of Nongalbibra Tourism Society and Jaripbonchi Tour Operators where was organised in adherence to Covid-19 protocol.
Competitions like angling, boating, etc. and other indigenous activities were held at different places. Sight-seeing of different tourist attractions such as Chekwe Rock Spot, Khansurisuk Wari, Walkuram Cave, Era A’ning Hot Spring, Awemong Simsang Zero Point, Siju Cave, Rongdong Fall, Rongchang Rock Formation, Rongdong Fish Sanctuary, and Sangkining Falls also took place.
Organisers said that waterfalls and lakes in South Garo Hills are unkempt and neglected. Natural geographical formations will gradually cease to exist due to ill-maintenance and negligence, hence, the festival was organised so as to bring about attention and care to such places.