Bhubaneswar: A specially designed orchidarium was inaugurated today at the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC) in Bhubaneswar. Constructed at a cost of Rs 73 lakhs, the orchidarium has been erected at the Botanical Garden for public view of orchid species and hybrids.
Bikram Keshari Arukha, Minister of Forest & Environment, inaugurated the orchidarium. Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest & Environment department Suresh Chandra Mohapatra was also present on this occasion. Besides, Rebecca Nayar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Executive of RPRC was also present during the inauguration.
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The orchidarium has been set up with financial aid from the Forest and Environment Department. Its aim is to conserve and create awareness among researchers, scientists and students about the diversity, commercial and conservation importance of orchids in the country as well as in the State.
Besides other groups of plants, RPRC pays special attention to collection and propagation, conservation and reintroduction of wild orchids of Odisha.
RPRC has a collection of 93 wild orchid species and around 217 hybrids. Besides, the Centre focuses on propagation, genetic diversity assessment, conservation and reintroduction of orchids in natural forest habitats of the State.
Ms Kalinga