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Arunachal's rich and colorful orchids find a place of pride.
Out of about a thousand species of orchids in India, over 600 are to be
found in Arunachal alone. Hence this state can rightly be called the "Orchid
Paradise" of our country.
Nature's Jewel
These are colorful, spectacular and some bear exotic names such as "Sita
Pushpa" and "Draupadi Pushpa", which were believed to have
been worn by Goddess Sita and Pandav Queen Draupadi for ornamentation.
Many of these orchids are rare, endangered and highly ornamental with long
lasting flower qualities. Amongst the variety of orchids as many as 150
species are ornamental and commercially important.
Type And Variety
Orchids form a dominant group of plants with their attractive and unique
blooms. In Arunachal Pradesh orchids can also be classified into 140
species of terrestrial orchids with 15 Saprophytes and about 340 Epiphytes
found in the different forest types. The prominent species are: Cymbidium
Ansifolium, C, Grandiflorum, Coelogyne Corymbosa. Dendroblum Aphylla, d.
Fimbriatum Var Occulatum, D. Densiflorum, Calanthe Masuca, Phaius Flavus,
Paphiopedilum. Fairrieanum, P.Venustum Renanthera Imschootiana, Vanda
Coenulea, etc. Rhynchostylis Retusa is known as the state flower of
Arunachal Pradesh.
Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Arunachal Pradesh has
established an Orchid Research and Development Station at Tipi in West
Kameng district for propagation and conservation of these species.
This centre has established a laboratory for orchids seed and tissue
culture for this purpose. In addition Orchidorium at Tippi, two orchid
conservation sanctuaries have been established at Sessa and Dirang in West
Kameng district. Wide varieties of medicinal plant are also found over
here. Orchid centres located at Itanagar, Tipi, Sessa, Dirang, Jengging,
Roing under the State Forest Research Institute have good germ-plasma
collection with about 400 species and hybrids.
Orchid Trade Industry
Arunachal Pradesh having variety of ornamental orchids has great
potentials in orchid trade industry, which consists of mainly of plant and
cut flowers. Various ornamental orchid plants both species and hybrids are
sold in market either bare-root or potted plants. In fact, orchid growing
can be developed as a cottage industry in Arunachal Pradesh. Orchids are
an endangered plant group. Hence, orchid trade is regulated under the
Convention of International Trade for Endangered Species (CITES).
Since India is signatory to this convention, Orchid trade attracts the
Wild Life Protection Act (1972) of government of India amended in 1992.
Accordingly, Orchids have been brought under Schedule VI of Wild Life
Protection Act and the trade is regulated as per Rule.
Realising the precarious situation in all the Orchid habitats within the
State, the Orchid Society Of Arunachal Pradesh was formed to spread the
message of conservation and promotion of orchids throughout the State.
