Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East 5

L.C. De, A.N. Rao, and D.R. Singh

Abstract , a mega-diversity centre and a hotspot, comprises eight states, viz., , , Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. It occupies 7.7 % of India’s total geographi- cal area supporting 50 % of the flora (ca. 8000 ), of which 31.58 % (ca. 2526 species) are endemic. The region is rich in orchids, ferns, (Quercus spp.), bamboos, rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.), magnolias (Magnolia spp.), etc. Orchids, believed to have evolved in this region (Kumaria, Tandon, J North East Study IV: 57–71, 2007), form a very noticeable feature of the vegetation here. About 1331 species of orchids, belonging to 186 genera, were reported from India; Northeast India sustains the highest number with about 856 species. Amongst them, 34 species of orchids are identified amongst the threatened of India and as many as endemic to different states of this region. Out of the eight orchid habitat regions in India, the two most important areas, namely, the Eastern and the Northeastern Region, fall within the political boundaries of Northeastern Region. Terrestrial orchids are located in humus-rich moist earth under tree shades in north-western India. Western Ghats harbour the small flowered orchids. Epiphytic orchids are common in Northeastern India which grows up to an elevation of 5000 MSL. The habitat loss, deterioration and fragmentation, introduction of exotic species, over-exploitation, environmental pollution, global warming, commercialisation of agriculture and forestry and jhum cultiva- tion are the major causes for the loss of diversity. India has strengthened

L.C. De (*) • D.R. Singh ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong 737106, Sikkim, India e-mail: [email protected] A.N. Rao Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Himalayan Region, Senapati District, Manipur, India

# Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2016 61 J. Purkayastha (ed.), Bioprospecting of Indigenous Bioresources of North-East India, DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-0620-3_5 62 L.C. De et al.

on diversity conservation by implementing a series of act, rules, laws, regulations, agreements and developing network of protected areas.

Keywords Diversity • Orchid • Species • Conservation • Northeast India

5.1 Introduction namely, the Eastern Himalayas and the North- eastern Himalayas, fall within the political Species diversity indicates the number of species boundaries of Northeastern Region. More than of plants and animals present in a region. one-fifth of the orchid species found in the region Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each are endemic, i.e. they are unique to the region ecosystem is necessary to preserve the web of life and are not found anywhere in the world. that sustains all living things. Biological diver- Indian terrestrials are distributed in humus- sity is also essential for preserving ecological rich moist earth under tree shades in north- processes, such as fixing and recycling of western India. Western Ghats harbour the small nutrients, soil formation, circulation and cleans- flowered orchids, whereas epiphytic orchids are ing of air and water, global life support (plants common in Northeastern India which grow up to absorb CO2, release O2), maintaining the water an elevation of 5000 MSL. Indian orchid species balance within ecosystems, watershed protec- with high ornamental values originated from this tion, maintaining stream and river flows through- region are Aerides multiflorum, Aerides out the year, erosion control and local flood odoratum, Arundina graminifolia, Arachnis, reduction (Chattaerjee et al. 2006). Bulbophyllum, Calanthe masuca, Northeast India, a mega-diversity centre and a elata, Coelogyne flavida, C. corymbosa, Cymbid- hotspot, comprises eight states, viz., Arunachal ium aloifolium, C. lowianum, C. devonianum, Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, C. hookerianum, C. lancifolium, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It occupies 7.7 % aphyllum, D. nobile, D. chrysanthum, of India’s total geographical area supporting D. farmeri, D. densiflorum, D. moschatum, 50 % of the flora (ca. 8000 species), of which D. fimbriatum, D. jenkinsii, 31.58 % (ca. 2526 species) is endemic (Hegde, venustum, P. spicerianum, P. hirsutissimum, 2000). The region is rich in orchids, ferns, oaks P. insigne, Phaius wallichii, praecox, (Quercus spp.), bamboos, rhododendrons (Rho- Renanthera imschootiana, Rhynchostylis retusa, dodendron spp.), magnolias (Magnolia spp.), etc. Thunia alba, Vanda cristata, Vanda coerulea and Orchids, believed to have evolved in this Vanda coerulescens (Singh, 1990). region (Kumaria and Tandon, 2007), form a very noticeable feature of the vegetation here. About 1331 species of orchids, belonging to 5.2 Endemic Orchids 186 genera, were reported from India, and North- east India sustains the highest number of about Orchids are distributed from tropical to alpine 850 species. As many as 34 species of orchids zones in forest trees, secondary vegetations, from Northeast India are listed amongst the river banks, bamboo and palm thickets, forest threatened plants of India (Nayar and Sastry floor, grassy slopes and rocky areas and are con- 1987–1988, 1990; Ahmedullah et al. 1999), and sidered as an element in Farming System 85 species are endemic to this region (Das and Research (Chowdhery 1998, 2001). It is to be Deori 1983). Out of the eight orchid habitat noted that there are some orchid species which regions in India, the two most important areas, are endemic not only to this region but also to the 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 63

Renanthera imschootiana tigrinum Vanda stangeana

Vanda coerulea Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum Paphiopedilum insigne

Plate 5.1 Endemic orchids of NE India home states in which they are distributed in • Ascocentrum ampullaceum var. auranticum, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas, the Epidendrum radicans and Vanda stangeana Naga and Manipur hills, the Lushai (Mizo) hills from Manipur and Khasi (Jaintia) hills (Nayar, 1996) (Plate 5.1). • Calanthe whiteana, Cymbidium whiteae and These are: Vanda pumila from Sikkim (Nayar, 1996)

• Dendrobium spatella, Dendrobium parciflorum and Luisia macrotis from Assam • Vanda coerulea and Dendrobium palpebrae 5.3 Orchid Diversity in Eastern from Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas and North Eastern • Renanthera imschootiana and Cymbidium India tigrinum from Nagaland • Anoectochilus crispus, Cymbidium eburneum, The region includes Darjeeling district of West Habenaria khasiana, Liparis deliculata, Bengal and other Northeastern states, Paphiopedilum venustum, Taeniophyllum i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, khasianum and Tainia khasiana from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Meghalaya Tripura. This region is relatively warmer with • Renanthera imschootiana from Tripura high humidity and heavier precipitation and • Dendrobium palpebrae from Mizoram endowed with 870 species in 159 genera 64 L.C. De et al.

Table 5.1 Orchid distribution under forest cover in Northeast India (Hajra and De 2010; Hegde 1997, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2012; Manilal and Sathish Kumar 2004; Kataki et al. 1984; Chowdhery 2009; Pradhan 1976, 1979) State Area Dense forest Orchid 000 km2 % forest cover Genera Species Arunachal Pradesh 83,743 54,542 65.13 130 622 Assam 78,438 15,842 20.19 74 290 Manipur 22,327 5309 23.77 67 215 Meghalaya 22,429 3305 14.73 98 389 Mizoram 21,081 4279 20.29 74 234 Nagaland 16,579 3531 21.29 64 246 Sikkim 7096 2403 38.86 132 543 Tripura 10,488 1825 17.40 37 57

Table 5.2 Some monotypic orchid genera of Northeast (Table 5.1). Amongst the other states of India this region, Assam accounts for 290, Nagaland Name of orchid genera for 246, Mizoram for 234, Manipur for Anthogonium Wall. Ex Lindl Arundina Bl 215 and Tripura for 57 species (Hajra and De, Acrochaene Lindl Bulleyia Schltr 2010). Cremastra Lindl Cleisocentron The Northeast India has highest flora of Bruhl monotypic orchid genera (Table 5.2) (Tandon Dickasonia L.O. Williams Diglyphosa Bl et al. 2007). Eriodes Rolfe Herpysma Lindl Jejosephia A.N. Rao & Mani Mischobulbum Northeast India is reported to harbour a schltr large number of valuable threatened orchids Myrmechis (Lindl.) Bl Neogyne reichb.f (Table 5.3). Ornithochilus (Lindl.) Wall. Ex Risleya King & Benth Pantl Renanthera Lour Tipularia Nutt 5.4 Orchid Diversity in Arunachal Pradesh Table 5.3 Some threatened orchids of Northeast India (Tandon et al. 2007) There are more than 600 species of orchids in Name of orchid species Arunachal Pradesh alone – the highest number Acanthephippium Bulleyia yunnanensis in any state (of these, 377 are epiphytes, sylhetense 160 autophytic terrestrials, and about Cymbidium eburneum Cym. devonianum 20 saprophytes). Major epiphytic genera include Cym. tigrinum Dendrobium chrysotoxum Den. densiflorum Den. falconeri Aerides, Arachnis, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Eria fragrans Paphiopedilum Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Eria, Cleisostoma, fairrieanum Rhynchostylis, Vanda, etc. Most of the epiphytic P. insigne P. venustum orchids are ornamentals (Hegde 1984, 2000, P. villosum Renanthera imschootiana 2001, 2005). In the tropical valleys of Arunachal Vanda coerulea Vanilla pilifera Pradesh, one can find cascades of colourful Vanda pumila Epigeneium rotundatum flower spikes of Rhynchostylis retusa, Aerides odorata, A. williamsii, A. rosea, Cymbidium pen- constituting 72.8 % of the total orchid species in dulum, C. aloifolium, Dendrobium aphyllum, this country. A statewise analysis indicates that Den. nobile, Den. moschatum, Den. fimbriatum, Arunachal Pradesh has the highest number of etc., loaded on tree trunks during springtime orchid species (622) followed by Sikkim which add beauty to the surrounding wood. In (543 species) and Meghalaya with 389 species subtropical hill forests, bunches of ‘pineapple 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 65 orchids’, the Dendrobium densiflorum, Den. and Camarotis are the commonly found orchids. giganteum, Den. grandiflorum, Den, eburneum, Assam has as many as 26 species threatened Den. mastersii, Vanda coerulea, Renanthera orchids. Amongst endemic orchids, imschootiana (red vanda), Coelogyne, etc., Bulbophyllum obrienianum, Calanthe odora, greet the onlookers. The pink flowers of Dendrobium parciflorum, D. spatella, Eria Anthogonium gracile found on the cut ends of pumila, Eulophia candida, Liparis plantaginea, rocks and edges carpet the exposed areas adding Luisia macrotis, Phalaenopsis mastersii and beauty to the landscape. Tainia barbata are reported from the state. Amongst terrestrials, Acanthephippium, Arundina, Anoectochilus, Calanthe, Phaius and Paphiopedilum are common. Amongst them, 5.6 Orchid Diversity in Manipur Arundina graminifolia, the ‘bamboo orchid’, is normally seen grown in the open sunny areas Many epiphytic and terrestrial orchids of amongst grassy patches in the foothills. In the immense horticultural value are grown in wild. thick forests, Anoectochilus and Geodorum, About 215 species of orchids belonging to popularly referred to as the ‘jewel orchids’ 67 genera have been reported from this state. group, have beautifully designed velvety . Venda coerulea (blue vanda) and Renanthera Arunachal is the home state of rare and imschootiana (red vanda) are included in endangered lady’s slipper orchids, Paphiopedilum schedule VI (plants) of the Indian Wildlife species, viz. P. fairrieanum, P. venustum and (Protection) Act, 1972. Due to over- P. spicerianum. Saprophytic genera like exploitation, most of the orchids have Epipogium, Stereosandra, Gastrodia, Eulophia already been depleted considerably and several and Galeola grow on decaying organic matter on are seen only in orchidaria. Some of the taxa the forest floor (Tripathi and Barik, 2003). facing threat of survival are Anoectochilus tetraplerus, Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Ascocentrum ampullaceum, Ascocentrum miniatum, 5.5 Orchid Diversity in Assam Dendrobium bensoniae, Dendrobium draconis, Dendrobium heterocarpum and Dendrobium In Assam, as many as 290 species of orchids are wardianum (Hegde 2012). identified. Tropical wet evergreen forests of Lakhimpur district and its adjoining foothills of Arunachal Pradesh are very much rich, and more 5.7 Orchid Diversity in Meghalaya than hundreds of eye-catching and colourful wild orchids are seen to bloom throughout the year. The Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills around Shillong Mostly they are epiphytes. Goodyera procera in the state of Meghalaya boast of more than and Spiranthes sinensis are adapted to aquatic 300 species of orchids. Epiphytic orchids can be habitant, whereas Vanilla pilifera and Galeola seen on the stunted trees of Rhododendron altissima are climbers. Orchids grow best in the arboreum and Quercus and Castanopsis species. evergreen and semievergreen forest and to some Ground orchids like Anoectochilus brevilabris, extent in moist deciduous forests. Species the jewel orchid and Liparis pulchella can be belonging to genera Acanthephippium, seen. Other orchid species available in the state Anoectochilus, Apostasia, Agrostophyllum, are Paphiopedilum insigne, P. venustum, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria, Rhynchostylis retusa, , Oberonia, Calanthe, Eulophia, Geodorum, Dendrobium devonianum, Cymbidium elegans Habenaria, Malaxis, Nephelaphyllum, Vanilla, and Vanda coerulea (Nayar and Sastry 1987, Zeuxine, Didymoplexis, Galeola, Bulbophyllum 1988, 1990; Haridashan and Rao, 1985). 66 L.C. De et al.

5.8 Orchid Diversity in Mizoram up to an elevation of 5000 MSL. The most beau- tiful and very rare plants of the Alpine zone are Mizoram is the homeland of Vanda coerulea Cypripedium tibeticum, C. himalicum and (blue vanda) and Renanthera imschootiana (red C. elegans. Some endemic species of orchids vanda) amongst Northeastern states. Mizoram reported are Oberonia micranthus, Malaxis is also natural home of Paphiopedilum saprophyllum, Liparis dongchenii, Calanthe hirsutissimum and P. villosum. Apart from trulliformis, C. alpina, C. whiteana, these, there are many orchid species which are C. chloroleuca, C. anganii, C. keshabii, having ethnobotanical values, and these are C. yuksomensis, Risleya atropurpurea, Dediciea Arundina graminifolia, Eria spicata, Eulophia cunninghamii, Cymbidium whiteae, Taenio- nuda, Geodorum densiflorum, Malaxis phyllum retro-apiculatum, T. crepidiforme, acuminata, Phaius tankervilleae, Pholidota Thrixspermum pygmaeum, Uncifera lancifolia, imbricata, Rhynchostylis retusa and Vanda Biermannia bimaculata, Gastrochilus affinis testacea (Nayar and Sastry 1987, 1988, 1990). and Vanda pumila (Medhi and Chakrabarti, Other tuberous orchids having medicinal impor- 2009). Other rare species of the state are tance are Eulophia and Habenaria. Satyrium nepalense, Anoectochilus sikkimensis, , Cymbidium eburneum, Cym- bidium devonianum, Dendrobium falconeri and 5.9 Orchid Diversity in Nagaland Vanda pumila. Cymbidium eburneum, Cymbid- ium devonianum, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, Nagaland has about 246 species out of 1331 spe- Dendrobium densiflorum, Dendrobium cies of orchids found in India. Most of the orchids wardianum and Vanda pumila are the most here are epiphytes or lithophytes. A few terres- threatened species of the state. trial orchids are also found in the state. Major genera are Acampe, Acanthephippium, Aerides, Anoectochilus, Anthogonium, Aphyllorchis, 5.11 Orchid Diversity in Tripura Arachis, Ascocentrum, Bulbophyllum, Calanthe, Ceratostylis, Cleisostoma, Coelogyne, Crypto- There are 57 species of orchids of which chilus, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Diplomeria, Dendrobium has the highest species diversity Eria, Eulophia, Flickingeria, Galeola, (14 species). Endangered orchids like blue Gastrochilus, Goodyera, Habenaria, Kingidium, vanda (Vanda coerulea) and red vanda Liparis, Luisia, Malaxis, Micropera, Oberonia, (Renanthera imschootiana) are found in the Otochilus, Paphiopedilum, Papilionanthe, state (Tripathi and Barik, 2003) (Table 5.4). Peristylus, Phaius, Pholidota, Pleione, Renanthera, Rhynchostylis, Spathoglottis, Thunia, Vanda and Zeuxine (Nayar and Sastry 5.12 Utilisation of Orchid Diversity 1987, 1988, 1990). Orchid species and hybrids of Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Vanda, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, 5.10 Orchid Diversity in Sikkim Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, Mokara, Aranda, Renantanda, etc. with different colour and The entire peculiar geographical feature helps forms are used as pot plants, cut flowers, floral Sikkim to become a biodiversity hotspot (Nayar display and as exhibits (Bhattacharjee and De, and Sastry 1997-1998, 1999), and it harbours 2005; De and Medhi, 2010; Medhi et al. 2012). around 543 species which are distributed in Tribal people of northeastern hill region use humid subtropical, temperate and alpine forest wild orchids for a variety of folk medicine as 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 67

Table 5.4 Distribution of major orchids in Northeast states (Chowdhery 2001, 2009; Nayar and Sastry 1987, 1988, 1990, 1997-1998, 1999) State Orchid species Arunachal Cymbidium ensifolium, C. grandiflorum, Dendrobium aphyllum, D. chrysanthum, D. gibsonii, Pradesh D. nobile, Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, P. venustum, P. spicerianum, Calanthe masuca, Rhynchostylis retusa Assam Arundina graminifolia, Eulophia mannii, Goodyera procera, Calanthe angusta, Rhynchostylis retusa, Aerides multiflorum, Aerides odorata, Acampe papillosa, Cymbidium aloifolium, Dendrobium aphyllum, D. acinaciforme Manipur Ascocentrum ampullaceum, Paphiopedilum spicerianum, Vanda amesiana, Vanda stangeana, Vanda coerulea Meghalaya Paphiopedilum insigne, P. venustum, R. retusa, Coelogyne corymbosa, Phaius tankervilleae, Dendrobium devonianum, Cymbidium elegans, Vanda coerulea Mizoram Vanda coerulea, Renanthera imschootiana, Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum, P. villosum Nagaland Goodyera viridiflora, Liparis caespitosa, Luisia trichorrhiza, Malaxis latifolia, Oberonia pyrulifera, Spiranthes sinensis Sikkim Alpine zone (2500–3000 m): Orchis, Habenaria, Tipularia, Satyrium, Cypripedium Temperate and subtemperate zone (1850–3500 m): Goodyera, Calanthe, Pleione humilis, Cymbidium hookerianum, C. devonianum, C. longifolium, Coelogyne cristata, Dendrobium hookerianum Subtropical zone (850–1250 m): Anoectochilus, Calanthe, Phaius, Eulophia, Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, P. venustum, Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Arachnis Tropical zone (250–850 m): Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Aerides, Vanda, Arundina graminifolia Tripura Dendrobium (14 spp.), Vanda teres, V. coerulea, Renanthera imschootiana (Tripathi and Barik, 2003) these are rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, 5.12.1 Orchids: Genetic Materials carbohydrates and other phytochemicals (De, for Breeding and Species Trade 2011). Fragrant orchids like Aerides multiflorum, Aerides odoratum, Cattleya maxima, Coelogyne Several local species of Vanda, Cymbidium, cristata, Coelogyne ochracea, Dendrobium Ascocentrum, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, chrysotoxum, Lycaste, Oncidium sphacelatum, Calanthe, Coelogyne, Dendrobium, etc. are in Rhynchostylis retusa and Zygopetalum great demand in international market for breed- intermedium are delightful in outdoor living ing materials (Table 3.1). In breeding areas. Leaves, tubers and pseudobulbs of different programme, selection of good and healthy species are used for edible purposes. Vanilla, a and flower by visual observation accounts to a major spice crop and source of vanillin, comes great extent. Evidences of natural hybridisations from Vanilla planifolia. Anoectochilus leaves are occurring amongst wild species were reported used as vegetables in Indonesia and Malaysia. (Abraham and Vatsala, 1981). Hundreds of natu- Pseudobulbs of Cymbidium maladimum and ral intergeneric, interspecific or intraspecific nat- Dendrobium speciosum and tubers of Microtis ural hybrids of Dendrobium are found in nature. unifolia and Caladenia carnea can be eaten. Min- Most of Indian species of Cymbidium, iature can be used as value-added Dendrobium and Vanda studied have been packed items. Bright flowers of orchid genera recognised in breeding programme specially to like Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum, produce primary hybrids due to their inherent Cattleya, Pholidota etc. can be used for drying. attractiveness coupled with their ability to trans- Amongst orchids, Cymbidium, Dendrobium and mit these characters to hybrids. In Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis are excellent for wedding centre- offsprings of reciprocal crosses show variations pieces. in characters like cane length and flower colour, 68 L.C. De et al.

flower size, flowering season and flower yield Renanthera, Ascocentrum, Cymbidium, Cattleya, (Kamemoto et al. 1989; Connel and Kamemoto Dendrobium, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis and 1983). Selections of flower size and flower col- Paphiopedilum (Mercy and Dale 1997). Vanda our are effective in Dendrobium improvement sanderiana and V. coerulea are the two important programme (Bobisud and Kamemoto, 1982). In vandal species found in the background of most Cymbidium, fragrance is the most important of the vandaceous hybrids (Fuchs, 1997). Poly- character sought after by breeders. Cymbidium ploidy and introgressive hybridisation have munronianum has been used as parent in several played an important role in the development of breeding programmes (Singh, 1984). The higher- orchid hybrids. Genera like Cattleya, Cymbid- order hybrid, Paphiopedilum F.C. Puddle with ium, Paphiopedilum, Vanda, Dendrobium, etc. six species in parentage, plays a predominant have a given maximum number of man-made role in breeding for white flower colour in the hybrids. Most orchids have two basic sets (dip- (Rogersen, 1991). An extensive breeding loid, 2Â) of chromosomes. Tetraploid plants are programme in Phalaenopsis using 29 wild spe- more fertile bearing flowers of better texture, cies and 873 varieties were studied by a group of bigger and more intense colouration (Kumar workers (Chen et al. 1995) for development of and Sheela, 2007). new hybrids. They succeeded in developing Many Indian species have earned worldwide 35 new hybrids and studied protoplast fusion, recognition in breeding programme due to their isozyme electrophoresis and DNA finger printing inherent attractiveness coupled with their ability to to assist in varietal identification. Intergroup transmit these characters to hybrids. Some of the hybridisation between Phalaenopsis-type leading species are Aerides multiflorum, Cymbid- extends flowering season, expands ium devonianum, C. lourianum, C. tracyanum, the range of flower colours and shapes and C. elegans, Dendrobium aggregatum, increases the flowering (Davidson, 1994). Major- D. chrysotoxum, D. formosum, D. nobile, ity of commercially grown orchids today are Paphiopedilum venustum, Vanda coerulea,etc. hybrids derived from Arachnis, Vanda, (Bose and Bhattacharjee, 1980)(Table5.5).

Table 5.5 Orchid species suitable for breeding (Bose and Bhattacharjee, 1980; Kumar and Sheela, 2007) Arachnis cathcartii Ascocentrum Bulbophyllum leopardinum Bulbophyllum putidum ampullaceum Calanthe chloroleuca Calanthe herbacea Calanthe masuca Calanthe plantaginea Calanthe triplicata Coelogyne corymbosa Coelogyne cristata Coelogyne ochracea Cymbidium devonianum Cymbidium eburneum Cymbidium hookerianum Cymbidium iridioides Cymbidium lancifolium Cymbidium longifolium Cymbidium lowianum Cymbidium munronianum Cymbidium tigrinum Cymbidium tracyanum Cymbidium whiteae Dendrobium bensoniae Dendrobium candidum Dendrobium densiflorum Dendrobium farmeri Dendrobium formosum Dendrobium gibsonii Dendrobium infundibulum Dendrobium nobile Dendrobium parishii Dendrobium pendulum Dendrobium primulinum Dendrobium wardianum Dendrobium williamsonii Paphiopedilum fairrieanum Paphiopedilum Paphiopedilum insigne Paphiopedilum Paphiopedilum venustum hirsutissimum spicerianum Paphiopedilum villosum Papilionanthe teres Pecteilis gigantea Phaius flavus Phaius tankervilleae Phalaenopsis decumbens Phalaenopsis lobbii Phalaenopsis mannii Pleione hookeriana Pleione humilis Pleione maculata Pleione praecox Renanthera imschootiana Spathoglottis plicata Thunia alba Thunia marshalliana Thunia venosa Vanda coerulea Vanda coerulescens Vanda cristata Vanda pumila Vanda stangeana Vanda tessellata Vandopsis undulata 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 69

5.13 Conservation of Orchid Horticulture Research are actively involved in Diversity using DIVA-GIS for preparing biological rich- ness maps of commercial orchid species. Tea plantations, timber felling, forest fires, unsci- entific method of harvesting, hunting, soil ero- sion, encroachment problem, construction of 5.13.1 Measures for Conservation reservoirs and dams, charcoal making and of Orchid Genetic Resources grazing are the causes for loss of diversity. India has strengthened its hold on biodiversity There are three prominent methods of conserva- conservation by implementing the Indian Forest tion of genetic resources of orchid species, Act, 1927; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; namely: the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Envi- ronment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Biodiversity • Legislative measures Act, 2002; the Biodiversity Rule, 2004, etc. • In situ conservation in sanctuaries/reserves India became a party to Convention on Inter- • Ex situ conservation in orchidaria/botanic national Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) gardens by cultivation (Hegde 2012) since 1976. India is also a signatory of the Con- vention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 1992. A network of protected areas – biosphere 5.13.2 Legislative Measures reserves, sanctuaries, national parks, arborata, botanical gardens, etc. – have been established Vanda coerulea (blue vanda) and Renanthera throughout the country, of which this region had imschootiana (red vanda) are now included in its share. The region has four biosphere reserves, schedule VI of Wild Life Protection Act 1972 48 sanctuaries, 14 national parks and 2 world of Government of India as amended in 1992. As a heritage sites (Yumnam, 2008). There is urgent result, all orchids are protected plants under Wild need to conserve the valuable biological life (Protection) Act. resources in natural habitats supplemented with The International Union for Conservation of preservation using modern methods of conserva- Nature (IUCN) has a Species Survival Commis- tion like in vitro conservation, seed storage and sion (SSC) with a well-defined preservation cryopreservation. A networking of institutions programme for the Convention on International engaged in conservation of orchids coupled Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and with strong orchid-breeding programme would Fauna (CITES). Under this provision, orchids are enhance judicious utilisation of orchids (Medhi treated as protected species. In India, 3 genera et al. 2012). Using satellite remote sensing and and 11 species are being treated as protected geographic information system by the Indian under Schedule VI of Wild Life Protection Act Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and Depart- 1972 and simultaneously under CITES ment of Space, Government of India priority sites Appendix-I. All other species of India have identified in all the states of the region and, been included in Appendix-II of CITES. The accordingly, actions and strategies have been following species have been kept under CITES taken up. Institutions like Indian Institute of Appendix-1 and Schedule VI of Wild Life Pro- Spice Research and Indian Institute of tection Act of Government of India. 70 L.C. De et al.

Those species are Paphiopedilum to the environment without any human charlesworthii, P. fairrieanum, P. hirsutissimum, interference. P. spicerianum, P. insigne, P. venustum, P. wardii, P. druryi, Renanthera imschootiana and Vanda coerulea. However, except P. druryi which is 5.13.4 Biosphere Reserve reported from Kerala, all other species of Paphiopedilum belong to Northeast India. These are versatile protected areas to preserve As per laws, no wild orchids can be traded the genetic diversity in the representative ecosys- with and so plants listed above cannot be allowed tem which are internationally recognised. The for export. However, under CITES rules and proposal for development of biosphere reserve regulations, whenever CITES Appendix-I spe- was initiated by UNESCO in 1971 under the cies are cultivated, then these can be allowed ‘Man & Biosphere’ (MAB) programme. The for export subject to condition that proper permit first biosphere reserve of the world was for possessing and growing these scheduled established in 1979. Presently, 564 biosphere plants is obtained from the concerned state, reserves have been developed in 109 countries provided the nursery is registered under Wild across the world. India has 17 biosphere Life Preservation Office, Government of India. reserves, namely, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Appendix-I includes threatened and extinct Agasthymalai, Cold Desert, Dihang-Dibang, species. In fact, no trade in wild plants is Dibru Saikhowa, Great Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar, allowed. Trade is allowed in cultivated and arti- Kachchh, Khangchendzonga, Manas, Nanda ficially propagated plants subject to licensing. Devi, Nilgiri, Nokrek, Pachmarhi, Seshachalam Appendix-II covers species which may be Hills, Simlipal and Sunderbans, for conservation threatened unless trade is strictly regulated. of endemic, endangered and vulnerable orchid is listed on Appendix-II. Trade in species. wild and propagated specimen is allowed subject to licensing. Further, all cultured orchid seedlings in flasks or aseptically cultured from seeds and tissues are now exempt from CITES 5.13.5 National Parks control w.e.f. 16th April, 1993. These legislations have helped in checking These are areas of adequate natural biological illegal collection of orchids from the wild as no and geomorphological interest owned by a sov- importing countries also accept plants of wild ereign state having one or several ecosystems origin. In this regard, the Proceedings of the where conservation of wildlife (both flora and Seminar on CITES Implementation for Plants fauna) is practised along with educative and rec- (1997) illustrates the method of recognising the reative interest, designated, created and protected wild plants at the port and the procedure to deal by legislation. Hailey National Park, presently with the same. known as ‘Jim Corbett National Park’, is the first developed national park in India in 1936. Presently, there are 98 national parks in India. 5.13.3 In Situ Conservation About 96 different species of orchids are found in Simlipal National Park of Orissa. About 150 dif- It refers to the maintenance of the germplasm in ferent species of orchids are conserved in Buxa its natural habitat allowing continual adaptation Tiger Reserve of West Bengal. 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 71

5.13.6 Sacred Grooves 5.13.9 Ex Situ Conservation

A secret groove is a special type of area where all It refers the preservation of germplasm outside forms of life particularly the secret tree species the natural habitat. In India, Botanical Survey of related to any particular culture and protected by India is maintaining three National Orchidaria a particular human community, race or tribe in and Experimental Gardens, one each at Yercaud the name of their respective deity. Himachal (Tamil Nadu), Howrah (West Bengal) and Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Shillong (Meghalaya) where representative spe- Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh cies of the region are cultivated. Similarly, are very prominent states for sacred grooves. Arunachal Pradesh State Forest Research Insti- About 13,928 sacred grooves are presently tute is maintaining a large number of orchid existing in India. This may be an important area species at Orchid Research Centre, Tipi, for in situ conservation of orchids of that partic- Itanagar, Sessa, Dirrang, Jenging and Roing as ular locality. a measure of ex situ conservation of orchids. In Karnataka, three ex situ conservation centres have been established, one in Kodagu, another 5.13.7 Gene Sanctuary in Kudremukh and the third in Dandeli (Rao and Sridhar, 2007). A natural orchidarium for the Gene sanctuary is a protected area where broad conservation of orchid germplasm has also been spectrum of genetic variability is conserved to planned in Bangalore within Lal Bagh Botanical act as a reserve for future use and crop improve- Garden. ment. At present, India has 480 wildlife gene sanctuaries. Sessa Orchid Sanctuary of 2 Arunachal Pradesh with 100 km area conserves 5.13.10 Field Gene Banks about 200 species of orchids. Similar types of sanctuaries have also been created in Sikkim at In these areas, germplasms are collected from Deorali and Singtam. natural habitat or from other sources including commercial houses and nurseries and mainte- nance in field or protected structures. The Centre 5.13.8 Individual Trees for Orchid Gene Conservation of the Eastern Himalayan region at Hengbung of Senapati dis- The epiphytic orchid species are conserved on trict of Manipur, the country’s first orchid gene tree species in its natural habitat. In their natural bank, has already been established to conserve habitat, they attach themselves to the bark of orchids as well as to facilitate research work. trees or the surface of other plants. Their thick, In the field gene banks of TBGRI, white roots are specially adapted to absorb mois- Trivandrum, 600 different species and ture and dissolved nutrients. Because these tropi- 150 hybrids of orchids are maintained. Orchids cal orchids usually grow high in the trees, rather of 90 different genera and a number of hybrids of than on the forest floor, they are accustomed to commercial orchids are also maintained at NRC good air circulation and plenty of light. for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim. 72 L.C. De et al.

5.13.11 Botanical Gardens association for germination under natural conditions, and consequently, the percentage of These are protected areas where living plant germination is low. Many of orchids have been specimen is conserved in fields or in protected germinated through asymbiotic technique where structures and provide significant information germination is found as high as 90 %. The seeds regarding mode of perpetuation, reproductive of orchids are orthodox in nature and provide a biology, taxonomical characters and propagation great scope for long-term storage through low technique. At present, there are 13 botanical temperature. gardens in India maintaining a number of orchid species. About 43 species of orchids are collected and displayed in the orchid house of Lloyd 5.13.14 In Vitro Conservation Botanical garden, Darjeeling, West Bengal. This technique can be used for revitalisation of orchid germplasm affected by virus and virus- like diseases through apical meristem culture. As 5.13.12 Herbal Gardens a matter of fact, orchids are first plants to be tissue cultured (Pritchard, 1989). There is need In these areas, medicinal plant genetic resources for studies on genetic stability to avoid the soma- are reared in a protected area for maintaining clonal variants and slow growth cultures for lon- them generation after generation. The Govern- ger storage duration to avoid frequent transfers. ment of India sanctioned funds for development of herbal gardens in 16 SAUs and research institutions in different agroclimatic regions of 5.13.15 Cryopreservation the country to conserve and maintain regional medicinal plants and endangered species Cryopreservation means long-term storage or (Gupta, 1993). In India, a networking amongst conservation of plant parts and reproductive the herbal gardens is already developed at materials at a very low temperature in the labo- DMAPR where 83 such gardens with details of ratory condition either in liquid nitrogen their species are registered. (À196 C) or in vapour phase (À150 C). Tissues/explants of orchids can be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen cylinders as a long-term stor- 5.13.13 Orchid Seed Gene Bank age procedure after proper treatment of cryoprotectants and plant vitrification solutions. Million of seeds are produced in a single capsule In our country, NBPGR has created the facility of of orchid. However, they lack the functional cryobank where 2.5 lakhs of germplasm lines can endosperm and require specific mycorrhizal be stored (Singh 2005). 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 73

5.14 Strategic Framework Goal Approach Performance measures Conservation of genetic resources Integrated orchid conservation Conservation genetics with molecular approach including GIS survey and methods and phylogenetic studies remote sensing Epiphytic (70 %) and terrestrial (20 %) orchid mycorrhizal associations with analysis of DNA sequences All interactions with population genetics and phylogenetic analysis of orchids and In situ conservations (biosphere reserves, national parks, sacred grooves, gene sanctuary and individual trees) of all available species Ex situ conservations (field gene banks, botanical garden, herbal garden, in vitro conservation, cryopreservation and DNA conservation) of more than 500 species Evaluation, valuation and Character-specific collection of Specific collection of 850 indigenous improvement of genetic resources exotic and indigenous germplasm, germplasm from NEH region, effectively to meet the challenges of locating resistance source and 288 species of North-western biotic and biotic stresses to sustain evolving high yielding and disease- Himalayas, 379 species of Peninsular the impact of climate change in resistant lines through selection, India and 132 species of Andaman addition to quality mutation, intergeneric and and Nicobar Islands. Exotic interspecific crosses, polyploidy germplasm from , Britain, breeding and biotechnological tools Singapore, Australia, Hawaii and for orchid improvement New Zealand will be attempted to enrich basic genetic materials Genera and species-wise cataloguing of all 1331 germplasm of India collections using IPGRI descriptors Identification of genes contributing resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors and quality characteristics of major 10 commercial orchid genera Improvement of Cymbidium to develop hybrids or varieties with less pre-blooming period and resistance to viruses Varietal evaluation of newly developed genotypes of commercial orchid genera to suit specific agro- ecological conditions Development of highly adaptive and tolerant genotypes to mitigate climate change and water stress Genetic engineering and transformation for early flowering and extending shelf-life in commercial orchids Development of barcodes for germplasm identification at species level 74 L.C. De et al.

5.15 Conclusions Chowdhery HJ (1998) Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun Chowdhery HJ (2001) Orchid diversity in north-east In India, about 1331 species belonging to India. J Orchid Soc India 15:1–17 186 genera represent approximately 5.98 % of Chowdhery H (2009) Orchid diversity in northeastern the world orchid flora and 6.83 % of the states of India. J Orchid Soc India 23(1–2):19–42 flowering plants in India. The Eastern Himalayas Das S, Deori NC (1983) A census of endemic orchids of North-Eastern India. In: Jain SK, Rao RR (eds) An and Northeastern, North-west Himalayas, Penin- assessment of threatened plants of India. Botanical sular India, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Survey of India, Howrah, pp 104–109 are the major orchid regions of India. Eastern Davidson B (1994) Dendrobium breeding trend. Am Himalaya and NE India is endowed with 870 spe- Orchid Soc Bull 63:638–645 De LC (2011) Value addition in flowers and orchids. New cies in 159 genera constituting 72.8 % of the India Publishing Agency, Pitam Pura, p 294 total orchid species in the country. There are De LC, Medhi RP (2010) Orchid-a diversified and value three prominent methods which can be adopted added flower crop (Abs. No. II-150). In: Proceeding of for conservation of genetic resources of orchid 4th Indian Horticulture Congress held from 18th–21st November, 2010 at New Delhi species, namely, legislative measures, in situ Fuchs RF (1997) Fabulous Vandaceous intergenerics. conservations in biosphere reserves, national Orchids 66:350–357 parks, secret grooves, sanctuaries and ex situ Gupta R (1993) Conservation and utilization of Indian conservation in field gene banks, medicinal plants. Indian J Plant Genet Resour 6:131–138 cryopreservations and botanic gardens by Hajra PK, De A (2010) Phyto-geographic analysis of cultivation. orchid flora in India. J Orchid Soc India 24(1/2):43–46 Indigenous orchid species of the regions could Haridashan K, Rao RR (1985) Forest Flora of Meghalaya. be documented for pot plants, cut flowers, floral Bishen Pal Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun Hegde SN (1984) Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh. Forest display, exhibits and their medicinal values. A Department, Arunachal Pradesh road map can be prepared on integrated conser- Hegde SN (1997) Orchid wealth of India. Proc Indian Natl vation management of endangered species of Sci Acad 3:229–244 orchids and their sustainable utilisation. Hegde SN (2000) Conservation of North East flora. Arunachal For News 18 (1& 2) Hegde SN (2001) Orchids: conservation, culture, farming and trade. OSA, Itanagar, Himalayan Publishers, Itanagar/New Delhi References Hegde SN (2005) Orchid diversity in the Eastern Himalayas. J Hill Res 18(2):43–54 Abraham A, Vatsala P (1981) Introduction to orchids with Hegde SN (2007) Orchids of Uttara Kannada District, illustrations and descriptions of 150 South Indian Karnataka and their conservation. Orchid Newsl 2 Orchids. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Insti- (3):9–22 tute, Thiruvananthapuram, p 533 Hegde SN (2012) Ex-situ and in situ conservation of Ahmedullah M et al (1999) Red data book of Indian orchids in India. J Orchid Soc India 26(1–2):1–4 plants, vol IV. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta Kamemoto H, Kobayashi RS, Amore TD (1989) Evalua- Bhattacharjee SK, De LC (2005) Post-harvest technology tion of 16 seed propagated amphidiploid Dendrobium of flowers and ornamental plants. Pointer Publishers, progenies, Research extension series no. 105. Hawaii Jaipur, p 440 Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Bobisud CA, Kamemoto H (1982) Selection and Resources, Hawaii, p 127 inbreeding in amphidiploid Dendrobium. J Am Soc Kataki SK, Jain SK, Sastry ARK (1984) Distribution of Hort Sci 107:1024–1027 Orchids of Sikkim and North East India. Plant Bose TK, Bhattacharjee SK (1980) Orchids in India. Naya Conserv Bull 5, Botanical survey of India, Howrah Prakash Publishers, Calcutta, p 538 Kumar K, Madhu Sheela VL (2007) Status of breeding in Chatterjee S, Saikia A, Dutta P, Pangging GD, Goswami orchids-a review. J Ornamental Hortic 10:199–208 AK (2006) Biodiversity significance of North-East Kumaria S, Tandon P (2007) Biotechnological India, p 80 approaches to conservation of orchids, the wondrous Chen WH, Fu YM, Hsieh RM, Wu CC, Chyou MS, Tsai and mystic plants of North-East India. Man and Soci- WT (1995) Modern breeding in Phalaenopsis orchid. ety, A Journal of North East StudyMan Soc J North- Sugar 42(3):17–22 east Stud Spring, IV:57–71 5 Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India 75

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