ZIRO, Sep 5: A centre for conservation and propagation of wild orchids of Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated by Minister of Agri, Horti, AH and Vety, Tage Taki today at Hapoli. The centre is an initiative of Hapoli Forest Division and is located in the campus of the DFO Office at Hapoli. 
Orchids form one of the largest families of flowering plants and there are nearly 24,500 orchid species in the world. Arunachal Pradesh, with 558 recorded species of orchids, has the largest number of orchid species in India. Hapoli Forest Division has been striving to preserve this natural treasure of the state and a first of its kind wild orchid conservation trail was launched at Pange camp under Tale Wildlife Sanctuary two years ago. This trail has seen relocation of 182 species of rare and endemic orchids of Lower Subansiri district. Six species present in the trail are a new record and addition to the orchid flora of the country. 
Speaking at the inaugural programme today, Taki commended the efforts of Hapoli Forest Division and said that the Forest Department is special as it holds the noble responsibility of preserving nature in its form. The present orchid conservation centre, he said, will help in educating the local population about the wealth of orchids that are present around them but remain unappreciated.
DFO Hapoli Forest ssDivision, Abhinav Kumar informed the gathering that there were 50 species of orchids presently at the centre and that  they were  available for sale at a nominal price to the public. 
"This centre would be the second such facility for orchids conservation after the Orchid Research Centre located at Tippi in West Kameng district," he further informed .
He also said that the purpose of the centre is twofold - to make the display of orchids more accessible to the public compared to the trail located at Pange and help in creating awareness  about its preservation by allowing people to buy them for their homes and offices. 
All India Radio,Ziro, Director Hage Tachang and Forest officials were present at the inaugural program.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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