Tawang, Jun 24: Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated a High Altitude Orchid Conservation Plot, the first-of-its kind in Tawang district and a Landscape Flower Garden here on Wednesday.
The programme was marked by ceremonial plantation of local orchid species by the dignitaries and invitees. The orchid conservation plot is currently stocked with 200 orchids from 12 species which are probably among the highly threatened species due to their extreme sensitivity to environmental changes. As per the first comprehensive Orchid Census of the country conducted by the Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh is the top contributor and nearly 612 out of 1256 orchid species of the country can be found in the Northeastern states alone, with strong possibility for more which are yet to be discovered. And among all the orchid growing states and districts, Tawang with its diversified forests comprising alpine, sub-alpine, temperate and sub-tropical categories has a solid possibility of presence of more orchid species.
The idea of the conservation plot was suggested by DC Tawang Sang Phuntsok and implemented by DFO Sange Tsering who expressed confidence that the effort will go a long way in bringing awareness on orchid conservation particularly the rare and endangered ones in the district. He also divulged that there are plans for further improving and commercializing the conservation plot in coming days that would boost the in situ conservation of orchids.
MLA Tawang Tsering Tashi, PadmaShree Awardee Lama Thupten Phuntsok, Abbot Tawang Monastery and HoDs were also present during the inauguration.
After inauguration of the orchid conservation plot, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Landscape Flower Garden near DC Office which has been developed by the district horticulture department. 
Earlier to the above events, Khandu along with the Tawang MLA participated in a plantation drive at Ugyanling, the birth place of HH the sixth Dalai Lama organized by the NGO Environmental Protection Society in collaboration with the Chosrig Affairs Department and supported by the Department of Forest, SSB and ITBP. DIPRO

 

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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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