Pithoragarh, Sept. 14 -- To promote awareness about preservation, sustainable use and celebrate the contribution of rare Himalayan flora to the ecosystem, the research wing of the Uttarakhand forest department has proposed to celebrate a "Flower Week" during the blooming season of Buransh (Rhododendron) and Padam (Prunus cerasoides). Sanjeev Chaturvedi, director of the research wing at Haldwani, said the event for Buransh is likely to be held in the second week of March, while the Flower Week for Padam could be organised in the second week of October, when these species are in peak bloom. According to Chaturvedi, the objectives of celebrating flowering weeks are to highlight seasonal blooming, raise awareness among local communities and tourists about the ecological and cultural significance of these species, and document traditions and folklore related to them. "We also aim to create awareness about sustainable harvesting and to mitigate the threat of overexploitation of these rare Himalayan species," he said. Buransh, which grows at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,300 metres on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, is found from Kashmir to Bhutan and also in China, Myanmar and Thailand, usually alongside conifers and oak. "When in full bloom, Buransh trees add a mesmerising hue to forests and attract a variety of birds and insects, which further aids pollination," Chaturvedi said. He added that the juice made from Buransh petals has high medicinal value, containing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Padam, which grows at heights of 1,200 to 2,400 metres in the Himalayan states, is unique for flowering twice a year - first during March-April and again in September-October. "It has a great contribution to the forest ecosystem by providing nectar and pollen to bees and butterflies," he said. Chaturvedi also said that countries such as Japan and South Korea celebrate the blooming of floral species through festivals and dedicated events that honour their beauty, ecological importance and cultural symbolism. "We too want to begin such traditions in Uttarakhand to celebrate the flowering of significant Himalayan species, and to create awareness against their overexploitation. These are rare boons of nature bestowed on the Himalayan region," he added....