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.
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, and 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 orchid seeds
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.
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.
