Darjeeling has set a date for a grand “Azalea Affair” on June 30 at Chowrasta.
People from different walks of life are preparing to plant hundreds of azaleas, a popular flowering plant of the rhododendron genus, along the popular Mall Road that starts and ends at Chowrasta in a bid to beautify the most popular promenade in town.
Azaleas are hardy plants and are known to flower twice a year in Darjeeling.
“Last year, I, along with Bandu Ratna Bomjon, was on our walk around Chowrasta on World Environment Day (June 5),” said Ananta Sharma, the brain behind the initiative.
The duo noticed that saplings were being planted haphazardly along the Mall Road. “They were bringing saplings by trucks; some people were planting them; some were taking the plants home. It was then that we discussed doing a systematic planting,” said Sharma.
Sharma soon posted the idea on social media and it was well received. “Even last year, we managed to plant many azaleas along the Mall Road.”
From educational institutions like St Teresa Girls Higher Secondary School to St Robert’s Higher Secondary School to non-government organisations like MARG, Hayden Hall, Vik-Run Foundation are contributing to buy saplings.
