"the North Cachar Hills is losing its natural share of... species. ...orchid varieties, which once grew abundantly in the hills and valleys of the district, are now on their way to extinction, ... rampant deforestation.
... to save these orchid species before they disappear completely, the state government has set up an orchid park near the district headquarters town. The park, set up at Herangajao, is now home to 50 of the most endangered orchid species, planted in an artificially-created environment. "We are collecting more orchids and hope to include all the species found in the district," divisional forest officer A. Goswami said. Lakhidhar Bordoloi, an orchid cultivator, said there were more than 400 varieties of orchids in the district, including the very rare rock orchids [scientific name ???]. This species is found only in the jungles of the North Cachar Hills. Orchid lovers from Europe and the US visit the district regularly to collect orchid specimens... If the forest department's plans work out, the garden may soon become a tourist address. "The park will be opened to the public and orchid experts who want to study the species," Goswami said." URL : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070920/asp/northeast/story_8333017.asp ************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
