FIRST EVER NATIONAL ORCHID SHOW

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A colourful, first ever three-day national orchid show opened here today with a call by Dr. Panjab Singh, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research for the protection of these beautiful plants as part of conservation programme of flora and fauna of the country. As these plants have commercial value a strategy has to be evolved for their growth and exploitation, he said.

The Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Manju Sharma who is also the President of The Orchid Society of India (TOSI) said a symposium organised along with the show will evaluate current research trends, identify shortcomings and formulate appropriate programmes for the conservation as well as commercialisation of Indian orchids. Promotion of orchid cultivation as a vocational venture requires varietal improvement through conventional and biotechnological means with a strong post-harvest technology and a suitable marketing network, she said.

Orchids comprise more than 30,000 natural species and about one lakh man-made hybrids. They are known for their intricately fabricated and long-lasting flowers, of myriad shapes, sizes and colours. India alone is a habitat for over 1200 orchid species of which 400 are endemic.