Eclectic Northeast – July 2019

July 2019 │ │ 15

It is good that we are channelizing
the tourism potential of the State,’
stated Meghalaya CM Conrad
Sangma.
Albert Chiang, senior scientist
at the orchidarium shares, ‘It
is a golden opportunity for
researchers and other botanists to
work on the medicinal values of
orchids. Also, there are many more
species of orchids that are yet to be
discovered from the region. The
orchidarium can play its part by
giving a big boost to the study of
orchids in the region’.
Close to 300 of the world’s
17,000 species of orchids are
found in forestland, gardens and
nurseries of Meghalaya, reveals
NRCO. Many of the orchid
species are present in Nokrek
Biosphere Reserve in Garo Hills,
four wildlife sanctuaries, and
reserved forests, and across the
125 sacred groves all across the
State. However, there is an urgent
need to expand the protected
area network as these plants
fail to withstand the pressures
of habitat destruction because
of their habitat specificity and
slow growth. Hence, establishing
an orchidarium was indeed the
need of the hour. The Institute for
Bio-Resources and Sustainable
Development (IBSD), established
in 2018, was instrumental in setting
up the orchidarium and completed
the construction of the building
within three months time.
The orchidarium has over
20 varieties of orchids, which
are found in Meghalaya and its
neighbouring states. ‘Of the 17,
species of orchids found in the
world, about 1,250 can be found
in India, of which nearly 300 are
found in Meghalaya. In time, we
are looking at developing the
infrastructure of the orchidarium
in order to store all the 300

different species here,’ informed

Chiang.

Director of IBSD, Professor

Dinabandhu Sahoo, during the

inauguration of the orchidarium

shared, ‘The orchidarium will

educate the public about citizen

science, which will help preserve

the fragile ecosystem. To plant

orchids in Delhi, Gurgaon or any

other North Indian places, air-

conditioned rooms are required

and the cost is very high. But here,

the weather works like a natural

refrigerator. The second important

thing is that the soil in the region

is very fertile. You travel anywhere

in the Northeast, and you are sure

to come across a large number

of orchids growing naturally on

tree trunks. But, many people are

uprooting the orchids and selling

it in the market at cheap prices.

IBSD will help make proper use of

the innumerable orchids found in

the region.’

Tourist Attraction

The opening of the orchidarium

saw a large number of visitors

from every nook and corner of the

region, and the country as a whole.

The Meghalaya government has

started to promote various tour

‘Meghalaya is blessed with favourable

climatic conditions and rich fertile soil.

Hence, it was possible for the IBSD to open

the state-of-the-art orchidarium in Upper

Shillong. All the species are examined. We

have also imported orchids from Thailand,

Malaysia and China. The establishment

will go a long way in educating people

about citizen science, and help preserve

the fragile ecosystem of the State and the

country,’ informed Albert Chiang, senior

scientist.

Large number of orchids on display