ORCHIDOLOGY
The state is known for its rich orchid flora. In order to develop this natural resource in a sustainable manner, the division of Orchidology is engaged in documentation, scientific studies and extension activities aimed at technological development in orchid farming and floriculture with people’s participation and contribute towards economy of the local people. Significant achievements are:
- Surveys, documentation and habitat studies of orchids – 605 species
- Compilation of Orchid flora of the State and development of Herbarium.
- Discovering and describing 40 new species, one new genus and 150 new records of occurrence.
- Establishment of Sessa Orchid Sanctuary -100 sq.km for in-situ conservation.
- Establishment of Orchidaria in 8 different zones for ex situ conservation.
- Cultivation and propagation of over 2 lakh orchids.
- Establishment of two Tissue culture labs at Tipi & Itanagar
- Standardization of protocols of micropropagation for 65 species of Aerides, Arachnis, Ascocentrum,Cymbidium,Dendrobium, Esmeralda, Vanda, Renanthera and their hybrids
- Breeding & development of 15 hybrids; Five new hybrids registered viz 1. Renades ‘Arunoday’, Arachnocentron ‘Tipi jubilee star’, 3. Esmeranda ‘Millenium Dawn’, 4. Ascocenda ‘Tipi Blue boy’, 5. Cymbidium Sessa ‘Green Beauty’.
- Induction of polyploidy in 4 Vandaceous genera.
- Extension and development of six Cymbidium farms involving local entrepreneurs and women.
- Introducing capsule course in tissue culture of Orchids.
- Organizing Festival of Flowers 5 times during last one decade.
- Publication of two books, two booklets, 140 research papers, several folders , Stickers and publicity materials.
- Development of ORC, Tipi as a Botanic Garden and Tourist Center
During the year 2003-04 and up to December 2004, six externally funded projects in addition to state plan project have been carried out under the Orchidology division. Monitoring and maintenance of projects implemented earlier years has also been done during the year. Other assets created have been maintained during the year.
STATE PLAN PROJECT OF GOVT. OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
A. CONSERVATION
- In situ conservation : About 200 native species are being conserved in situ at
- essa Orchid Sanctuary. However, maintenance works like weeding, habitat, improvement of various orchid species at regular intervals could not be carried out due to fund constraints.
- Ex situ conservation : As a part of ex situ conservation number of orchids of different species have been rescued from degraded forest areas of various districts in Arunachal Pradesh and brought under cultivation at Tipi and Itanagar orchidarium and Orchid Sanctuary Sessa. During the year about 500 orchid plants belonging to 52 species and 25 genera have been added to the stock, thus making the total stock of orchids 20000 of 150 species and 50 genera at Tipi, Itanagar, Dirang and Sessa.
- Enrichment of germplasm: During 2003-04 Seven species of orchids are added as new addition to the existing germplasm at ORC, Tipi of which 6 species are collected from out side states and one species is collected from Arunachal Pradesh.
- Multiplication : About 538 nos. of vegetative multiplication are done during the year.
B. RESEARCH
- Production of Seedlings : (i) Seed culture : 40 species and 2 hybrids are cultured through seeds and about 1800 seedlings transplanted about 500 nos. flasks with various stages of culture are in stock. (ii) Tissue culture : 20 hybrids and 2 species of cymbidium, Vanilla, Dendrobium and Vandaceous group cultured by using apical meristem/ inflorescence node/ axillary buds. About 400 flasks with various stages of culture are in stock. About 600 seedlings are ready for transplanting at Tipi and Itanagar Lab.
- Taxonomy
- New Records: Collected and identified following 2 orchids species as new addition to India from Arunachal Pradesh during the year. 1. Dendrobium ruckeri Lindl. 2. Oberonia lobulata K&P
- Herbarium: 14 specimens are added in the orchid herbarium, Tipi during the year 2003-04 making total number of OHT Herbarium 3,032 nos. representing a total of 387 species and 101 genera.
- Breeding: During the year 100 breeding trials are conducted at Itanagar and ORC, Tipi involving 15 species and 3 hybrids. Some of the successful capsules are under observation.
C. HARDENING OF LAB. SEEDLINGS
About 2000 nos. of lab seedlings were hardened at hardening unit. Tipi, and about 60% seedlings survived.
D. REVENUE
A total of Rs. 93,705/- only has been earned as revenue during 2003-04 by selling various orchid products at ORC, Tipi.
E. EXTENSION SERVICES
- Delivered lectures on orchid conservation, propagation and commercial farming including IUCN cites rules and regulations and practical demonstrations to the following batches of forest officials at ORC, Tipi,
- IFS Probationers of 2002-05 course of IGNFA, Dehradun on 21.12.03.
- Forestry and forest Ecology students of Mizoram University on 15.1.2004 Foresters and Forest Guards trainees from Meghlaya Forest Department in Jan/2004.
- Imparted training to 12 local tribal farmers in Vanilla commercial farming at Myladumpara, Kerala under the sponsorship of Spice Board, Cochin, Kerala during Agusut/2003.
- Interacted with 70 farmers of Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland states during workshop at Shillong (14-15 th May/2003) and at Guwahati (9 th June/2003) and extended technical know how on commercial growing of tropical and temperate orchids in various N. E. states.
- Imparted training on tissue culture technique to 5 students from different colleges of the country.
F. TECHNICAL REPORTS/BOOKS/RESEARCH PAPERS/GENERAL ARTICLES
Technical Reports
- A note on Pongamia pinnata – submitted to PCCF
- Environment and Forest Research Priorities of Northeast Region of India – Submitted to GBPIHED
- A Note on Floriculture development in Northeast India – Submitted to the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, New Delhi/ the Chairman NE Study Group
- A Note on Medicinal Plant Development in Northeast India - Submitted to the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, New Delhi/ the Chairman NE Study Group
Books
1. Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
2. Field Manual for Propagation and Plantation of Medicinal Plants
Research Papers/Articles
- Thirty years of Orchid Research and Development in Arunachal Pradesh (S. N. Hegde)
- In vitro seed germination and micro-propagation studies on Ascocentrum ampullaceum (Roxb.) Schltr (Orchidaceae) (S. N. Hegde & R. Shadang)
- Prospects of Floriculture Industry in Arunachal Pradesh – an Invited lead paper in the National Seminar on Horticulture at Medziphema, Nagaland (S. N. Hegde)
- Medicinal Marvels from Arunachal Pradesh (A. N. Rao) in Amrut, Sept-Oct/2003. 3-8.
- Report on three new records of orchids to Arunachal Pradesh (A. N. Rao & K. Haridasan) in Rhudia (Communicated).
General Articles
1. Orchids: the blooming gold of Arunachal Pradesh – A talk over AIR, Itanagar (S. N. Hegde)
2. Contributions to Orchid research and sustainable Development in Arunachal Pradesh -
A discussion over AIR, Itanagar for the National Archives.
3. Van Vigyan Kendra, Chessa - an information leaflet.
4. Opportunities in Floriculture Industry in Northeast India with reference to Orchids – A Lecture delivered at NE Entrepreneur Development Workshop at NERIST, Nirjuli (S. N. Hegde)
G. VISITORS
About 5000 tourists and other dignitaries have visited ORC, Tipi and Orchidarium/lab at Itanagar during the year 2003-04.
H. THE TEAM
- Research and Technical Staff
- Dr. S. N. Hegde, Orchidologist with additional charge as Director, SFRI, Itanagar
- Dr. A. N. Rao, Asstt. Orchidologist, ORC, Tipi
- Shri R.K. Taj, Technical Assistant
- Shri Ona Apang, Research Assistant
- Md. N. Ahmed, Lab. Astt.
- Shri J. Nyorak, Lab. Astt.
- Ms. R. Shadang, SRF
- Field staff of Orchid Range, Tipi, Dirang and Itanagar Secretarial Assistantce from office of the SFRI, and DFO, Silviculture
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