Chamoli: Uttarakhand, rich in biodiversity, is home to many rare plants and animals.

cymbidium

Orchid Cymbidium lancifolium flower in Chopta Valley
Recently a rare orchid Cymbidium lentifolium has been discovered here. This plant was found at an altitude of 1761 meters in Chopta Valley. The team of Forest Research Center Haldwani went here for plant survey. During this, the team discovered Cymbidium lentifolium, a rare orchid in the Western Himalayan region. This is the fourth achievement of the discovery of floral species in the Western Himalayan region of the Forest Research Center in the last three years. Earlier in the year 2020, Liparis pygmaea orchid was discovered above the Saptakund track in the western Himalayan region. This species was reported in India after 124 years. It was published by the prestigious French magazine Richardiana. Orchid oblansolata reported from Mandal valley of Chamoli in the year 2021. In the year 2022, the rare carnivorous plant Utricularia furcellata was discovered.

Cymbidium lentifolium has so far been observed only in the north eastern regions of India and Bhutan. Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun helped in identification of this rare species. Junior Research Fellow Manoj Singh said that Cymbidium lentifolium has been found in and around Chopta Valley. Dr. SK Singh, Joint Director, Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun helped in the identification of the species. This discovery has been published in India’s prestigious journal The Indian Forester. About 29 species of Cymbidium lentifolium have so far been found in India. Of these, 8 were reported from the Western Himalayas. Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Research Center Haldwani Sanjeev Chaturvedi said that it is our endeavor not only to save these species, but also to inform people about them. The discovery of Cymbidium lentifolium once again shows the rich biodiversity and the efforts to conserve these rare beautiful species.

Back to top button