IMPHAL, January 4: Desk Top Calendar on the theme “Orchids of Manipur” was today released by the principal chief conservator of Forest AK Rana, IFS at the main conference hall of the directorate of forest department in the presence of department officials.
Speaking at the function, AK Rana observed that Manipur is rich in flora and fauna due to its temperate and sub-tropical climate.
In a comparatively small geographical area, it has wide range of forest types including plants from Himalyas to Malaya on one hand and that of China on the other, he added.
The rich forests of our state which fall in one of the bio-diversity hotspots of the world are our natural heritage, he averred.
AK Rana further said that as per reports of the Botanical Survey of India, Manipur state boast of about 450 orchid species, out of which, there are many rare and endangered species.
He further said that the forest department has made concerted efforts to protect and conserve orchids found in the state including the rare and endangered ones, at Orchid Preservation Centre Khongampat, Imphal where at present about 280 orchid species collected from all corners of the state are being conserved, he added
He further said that deforestation due to burning of forests for shifting cultivation and felling of trees has been the major cause for depletion of our orchid wealth. A large number of orchid species which present earlier may now be at the verge of extinction. And again urge the state general public to give cooperation with forest department as part to protect forest and preserve state valuable species, (flora and fauna).