Orchids in India are collected from the wild illegally and then traded as ornamental plants which are used in traditional medicine and also consumed as food. The inflated demand for orchids for multi purpose leads to unsustainable harvesting practices. Globally this second-largest family of flowering plants have some of the most prized and traded flowers. Blue Vanda Vanda coerulea and Lady’s Slipper, these protected species of orchids in India, have been found in wildlife seizures.
“Orchids are found throughout the Himalayan region of India. Time and time again, new orchid species are discovered in the region, reflecting the hidden trove of floral treasures in the Himalayas. Conservation measures in the Himalayan region are key to conserving myriad species, including orchids and the ecosystems they represent”. Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India said.
Dr Merwyn Fenerandes, Coordinator, TRAFFIC’s India Office says, “Such vast orchid diversity, unsustainable harvesting practices and illegal trade, coupled with limited protection measures and lack of awareness makes the future of orchids a serious concern. By issuing this identification poster, our joint efforts to stop the illegal orchid trade gets a strong and considered boost.”
This year TRAFFIC and WWF-India also released a factsheet titled ” Orchids: Factsheet on India’s orchids in illegal wildlife trade” on the International Day for Biological Diversity in May. The factsheet was compiled with beautiful images and well-researched content on general information and facts about orchids, their legal status and threats.
With an aim to raise conservation and protection issues related to orchids to the forefront TRAFFIC and WWF-India have developed both the factsheet “Orchids: Factsheet on India’s orchids in illegal wildlife trade” and the poster “Legally Protected Orchids of India”. Both of these are freely available for use and sharing.
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