Farpak (Mizoram), Feb 08: Eighty three-year-old Kawlkhuma became the oldest Mizo to climb the 7,100-feet high Phawngpui mountain, his feat coming close on the heels of the celebration of International Year of Mountaineering in Mizoram.

Kawlkhuma, a church elder and resident of Mizoram's East Langdar village, reached the peak of Phawngpui also known as Blue Mountain yesterday after he trekked seven-kms of arduous steep jungle trail, state forest department officials said today.
"I had long cherised the dream of climbing the highest mountain of Mizoram, now I can die peacefully," he said after coming down from the peak accompanied by his wife Nuseni and forest minister Lalchamliana and others.
Phawngpui, which is extremely rich in bio-diversity and endowed with thick virgin forests and rich flora and fauna, is the abode of various species of animals including endangered ones and has been declared a national park recently.

Bureau Report