PHAWNGPUI

 

PHAWNGPUI , also known as Blue Mountain is the highest mountain peak in the Lushai Hills and in the state of Mizoram, with an elevation of 2157 m. It is located in Saiha district, in the southeastern region of Mizoram near the Myanmar border.

Phawngpui Tlang (Blue Mountain), Lawngtlai District

The highest peak in Mizoram, Phawngpui or the Blue Mountain is situated near the state’s south-eastern border overlooking the bend of the mighty Chhimtuipui River and the hill ranges of Myanmar. Sangau village, which is about 229 kms from Aizawl, is the closest settlement to Phawngpui. With a height of 2157 metres at the peak, the ridge stretches nearly 10 kms in north-south direction. It is surrounded by sheer precipices and cliffs, of which Thlazuang Kham is the most spectacular one. This breezy ridge is a virtual garden of beautiful flowering trees like rhododendrons and orchids of various hues, and one can also get splendid views of blue hazed hills extending to the horizon all around.

Abounding with diverse flora and fauna, Phawngpui has been declared a National Park covering an area of about 50 sqkm. Exploring the park requires trekking and one can get the most exciting views of Mizoram from the cliffs of Phawngpui. It is famous for its exotic species of flora and fauna especially the orchids and rhododendrons spread within the valleys surrounding on all sides. Here one has a good chance of sighting gorals grazing peacefully in the steep slopes, brightly plumed sunbirds hovering over colourful flowers, peregrine falcon swooping down on fleeting cliffs or hearing in the evening the sharp calls of barking deer . Phawngpui is also home to an amazing variety of birdlife including the rare  Tragopan, Dark Rumped Swift and Humming pheasant, and endangered mammals like the Slow Loris, Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Serow, Goral, Asiatic Black Bear, Stump-tailed Macaque and Capped Langur.

  

Phawngpui is the highest peak of the Lushai Hills. There is a semi-circular series of cliffs on the western side called Thlazuang Khàm, which have a sharp and deep fall, and serve as the natural home of mountain goats. These cliffs are believed to be haunted by spirits. On the peak, there is a level ground of about 2 km2 in area.

  

A highly revered peak, considered to be the abode of local deities, Phawngpui was a major centre of folk religion and location for folklore stories. 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 of meadows, hence appropriately the "great meadow". The mountain was, according to 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 Far pak .

Since 1992 the mountain has been included in the protected area of the Phawngpui National Park, one of only two national parks of India in Mizoram. The Government of Mizoram allows eco-friendly visit to the mountain only during November to April.

 

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 peregrine falcon, Blyth's tragopan, sunbirds, grey sibia, golden-throated barbet, Mrs. Hume's pheasant, hornbill, dark-rumped swift, mountain bamboo partridge, black eagle and other birds.  The very rare clouded leopard has been recorded in the Farpak area since 1997. There have been instances of wild orchids being stolen from Phawngpui, efforts are being taken to protect and conserve it.

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