Exploration, Characterization and Conservation of Ornamental Orchids

India is blessed with about 1229 species of orchids in tropical, subtropical and temperate Himalayas as their main habitat. Orchids play a significant role in promoting the floriculture industry. Some of the orchid species are highly sought after by specialist collectors and this can pose a real threat to their continued survival. To sustain and conservethe orchids is very important especially when rapid development and jhum cultivation has reduced natural habitats of wild orchids and endangered the survival of valuable germplasm of orchids. Rough estimates indicated that over 200 species are endangered and threatened of which more than 100 species are from eastern Himalayas. Collectors have visited nearly all populations and strip flowering orchids for thriving international market where high prices are fetched for the rare species. This has depleted many species and some are now on the verge of extinction. During the last three years several explorations were undertaken by N.R.C. for Orchids in Eastern Himalayas in collaboration with N.B. of P.G.R., Regional Station, Barapani, Meghalaya and collected the important and rare orchids. The collected species are being maintained in National active orchid germplasm site at NRC for Orchids, Pakyong. Further continued efforts are on for their maintenance, multiplication, characterization, utilization and conservation.