ORCHIDS - A NATURE'S BEAUTIFUL GIFT

Orchids make up one of the largest families of flowering plants. As per the current estimates there are about 20,000 orchid species found in almost all regions of the world, but their greatest diversity occurs in the tropical and sub-tropical climates where positive factors for growth - thick vegetation and high humidity prevail.

India has a rich orchid heritage and is recognized the world over as a significant producer of both wild and hybrid orchids. Over 1,600 species of orchids are found in India which constitutes almost 10 percent of the world orchid flora. Indian orchids include much variety with proven floriculture and/or herbal traits and have reached almost all the famed botanical gardens the world over.

Northeast India sustains the highest concentration with about 700 species. There are 550 species of orchids in Arunachal Pradesh alone - the highest number in any State. One of the rarest and endangered orchids, Blue Vanda, occurs here in Namdapha Reserved National Park

In Arunachal Pradesh orchids occur naturally in diverse habitats. In the rich tropical forests of the Tirap district, clusters of beautiful blue vanda (Vanda coerulea) adorn the trees. Tipi Orchid Research Centre boasts of over 500 species of orchids. Sessa, 24 km from Tipi has an Orchid Sanctuary, which abounds in a variety of species including the white Coelogyne nitida (which grows on moss covered rocks) and the tree borne yellow, Cymbidium elegans and Dendrobium chrysanthum, the bright yellow flowers. The drive from Tipi to Sessa is equally beautiful. Along the roads can be seen species like Dendrobium gibsonii, with its clusters of beautifully formed yellow flowers with rich maroon centres and Dendrobium nobile with white and purple flowers.

One of the rare, endangered, curious and sought after ground orchids found in Arunachal is the Paphiopedilum species (the Venus or Lady's slipper orchids). There are three species of the genus found in arunachal, viz; I) P. fairrieanum popularly referred to as "Lost Lady's Slipper orchids". (2) P. venustum and (3) P.spicerianum.

Sessa Orchid Sanctuary:
In an effort to conserve the natural habitat of large number of orchid species, an area of 100 sq.km has been declared as "Sessa Orchid Sanctuary " at Sessa, West Kameng district, about 20 km away from Tipi. This is a wonderful location i.e. situated between 900 to 3100m MSL encompassing tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate climatic conditions and vegetation. Such a diverse physiography favors the occurrence of more than 200 orchid species with 5 new and endemic species, with in this area. The department of Environment & Forests has developed trekking routes for going through the sanctuary for visitors to enjoy the marvelous habitat of orchids in their pristine glory.

Orchid Festival:

The Arunachal Pradesh Government also organizes Orchid Festival in the month of January every year in Itanagar to promote Orchid cultivation and to give awareness to the public to protect the beautiful plant in the World.

Besides of Arunachal Pradesh, a lot of Orchids are also found in the state of Meghalaya. When you roam around the hills of Meghalaya, you would feel that the gods were really generous when they sculpted Meghalaya out of their imagination, with lots of orchids. The Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills around Shillong in the state of Meghalaya boast of 300 species of orchids. The Mawsmai and Mawmloo in Cherrapunjee contain the highest number of orchid species in the entire state. These are 'sacred forests', areas of the primary forests that are venerated and protected by the local people. Sohrarim is another forest on the way to Cherrapunjee which is paradise of Botanists. The Mawphlang forest, 24 km from Shillong can be visited to view some of the state's orchid wealth. Here epiphytic orchids can be seen on the stunted trees of Rhodendron arboreum, Quercus and Castonopsis species. Ground orchids like Anoectachilus brevilabris, the jewel orchid and Liparis pulchella can be seen. Barapani, 17 km from Shillong has a Nehru Park with an Orchidarium Besides the above two states, all the other adjoining states of North-east also contains various species of Orchids in their natural habitat. 182 species are found in Assam.Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur also contains some species of rare orchids.

Ask for our special itinerary to explore the endangered orchids of India. We also provide arrangements for the Orchidologist and Researchers.