A new orchid park has been inaugurated near Kaziranga National Park to promote eco-tourism and biodiversity awareness.

• The Kaziranga Orchid Park, located at Kohora near Kaziranga National Park, has been inaugurated by the CM. 
• The initiative is spearheaded by the Assam Department of Agriculture and Horticulture to promote eco-tourism, biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness in the state.
• Spread across about 20 bighas of land, the park is considered one of the largest integrated orchid parks in India.

Key Features of Kaziranga Orchid Park

• The park currently houses over 900 species of orchids, including endemic and rare varieties from Northeast India.
• Authorities aim to increase the collection to more than 1600 orchid species in the future.
• Infrastructure includes:
  • Artificial waterfall
  • Children’s park
  • Guest house and cafeteria
  • Open amphitheatre with a gramophone-shaped structure
• The project has been developed at a cost of around ₹16 crore.

Objectives of the Orchid Park

• Promote eco-tourism and nature-based tourism around Kaziranga.
• Conserve orchid diversity, especially species native to Northeast India.
• Create employment opportunities through tourism and horticulture.
• Enhance environmental awareness among visitors and students.

Orchids in Northeast India

• Northeast India is considered a major orchid biodiversity hotspot.
• Assam alone hosts over 300 orchid species, many of which are endemic.
  • Rhynchostylis retusa, Foxtail Orchid, found in semi-deciduous forests and woodlands, is the state flower of Assam & Arunachal Pradesh. 
  • Some other prominent orchid species of Assam include Arundina graminifolia, Aerides odorata, Dendrobium moschatum, Pholidota imbricata and Dendrobium aphyllum etc.
• Conservation efforts are linked to the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and biodiversity protection programmes implemented through Biodiversity Management Committees.

Statement-Based MCQ

Which of the following statements regarding the Kaziranga Orchid Park is correct?

(a) It is located near Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

(b) It currently houses more than 900 species of orchids.

(c) It aims to promote eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.

(d) All of the above.

Answer: (d)

Exam Hook: UPSC Prelims Question

Kaziranga National Park, famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, is located in which state of India?

(a) Assam
(b) Meghalaya
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Nagaland

One line wrap: The Kaziranga Orchid Park highlights Assam’s rich orchid diversity while promoting sustainable eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.

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