The Alluring Wild Orchids of North Bengal

• The Darjeeling Hills, a sought-after tourist spot, is famous for its wild orchids that significantly enhance the region's biodiversity .
• Alarmingly, despite being home to over 300 species of orchids, the region is witnessing their rapid decline.
• Epiphytic orchids, which rely heavily on trees for survival, are the most threatened.
• The issue is further aggravated by the felling of orchid-laden trees for highway expansion projects.

Factors behind the swift decline:

• Illegal logging and infrastructural development leading to habitat loss.
• Land clearance for roads, agricultural activities, and housing construction significantly contributes to the loss of orchid biodiversity.

The Crucial Role of Orchids

• Orchids serve as natural indicators of air quality since they fail to thrive in polluted environments.
• They play a pivotal role in attracting pollinators like bees, thereby facilitating cross-pollination.
• Caterpillars, which form an essential part of the insect world, rely on orchids for sustenance.
• Therapeutic Importance and Traditional Healing
  • Local communities have been using orchids for centuries as an integral part of their traditional medicine practices.
  • Tribes like the Oraon and Kharia depend on the diverse flora and fauna, including orchids, for preparing their medicinal concoctions to cure various ailments.
  • Epiphytic orchids play a crucial role in the herbal healing value chain.

Conservation Initiatives

• Ashish Kumar Roy, a dedicated botany professor, has been working tirelessly towards conserving these orchids.
• He has been transplanting orchids on trees with robust trunks like mango, jackfruit, and teak.
• Other trees like Shisham, Sal, Kadam, and Betelnut also serve as hosts for these orchids.
• Roy's research focuses on the symbiotic relationship between the local tribes and orchids.
• Additional Awareness and Rehabilitation Measures
  • A lack of awareness about the vital role of orchids has been a major obstacle in their rehabilitation.
  • Rehabilitation efforts include transplanting the orchids onto suitable host trees.
  • Individuals like Jogesh Mandal and Roy's students have been actively involved in the replanting of these orchids.
  • Conservation measures, rewilding initiatives, and public awareness drives are essential for the survival of these orchids.