Raphael Warjri

A tree plantation campaign with manifold of purposes was organised by the Dorbar Kur Mawrie to celebrate World Environment day, to combat climate change and to establish the ancient concept of a sacred forest at the precinct of the ossuary of the Mawrie clan at Lum Kur Mawrie, Lyngkien Shyiap Mylliem. The event slated to be held on 5^th June was shifted because of certain compulsion and the auspicious occasion was graced by Syiem Ainam Manik Syiem as chief guest and representatives of Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur- Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, Erwin Khnong Syiem Sutnga and Raphael Warjri as special guests. In his keynote address, the president of Dorbar Kur Mawrie, Leonard Arun Mawrie spoke on the origin of the Mawrie clan from the Marai cave where the royal clan of Hima Shyllong originated. He said that the Dorbar Kur Mawrie resolved to conduct the tree plantation with the motive to convert the area surrounding the ossuary of Mawrie clan as the sacred grove and to conserved the natural springs located in the convergence of the hillocks as the water source for nourishment of the flora and fauna and to provide drinking water to the people. The secretary of the clan, Johnnystar Mawrie stated that the landmark site was acquired from the ancestral owner of the land to be in the custody of the Dorbar Kur Mawrie with the intention to preserve for posterity.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Ainam Manik Syiem lauded the efforts of the Mawrie clan and promised to facilitate all possible assistance to support the noble aspirations of the Dorbar Kur Mawrie. He expressed surprise and lamented that the Mawrie clan was never included in the traditional administrative council of elders in the Hima Shyllong, even as the illegitimate and vested interested individuals asserted for positions in the council through unfair means, including via affidavit by people of other communities. Others who spoke on the occasion included Erwin K Syiem Sutnga, Raphael Warjri and David War Nongjri, headman of Lyngkien Shyiap. The vote of thanks was delivered by Lucy Mawrie and thereafter all the delegates participated in the tree plantation programme along with all the attending clan members.