NGOs flag illicit harvesting, exploitation of Indian orchids

Only 11 species of orchids are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act

India's orchids are under pressure from illicit harvesting and exploitation for illegal trade, according to conservation programme TRAFFIC and WWF India.

Of the vast diversity of 1,256 orchid species recorded in India, 307 are endemic to the country, and only 11 species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

In order to highlight the threat to orchids from illegal trade and to increase the capacity of the enforcement officials to identify the 11 protected orchid species, TRAFFIC and WWF India have developed a poster on the legally-protected orchid species whose trade or any other form of utilisation is prohibited.

According to a press statement, the poster was released on Wednesday ahead of Save the Himalayas Day since India's Himalayan region is home to many orchid species, with Eastern Himalayas exhibiting maximum orchid diversity.

The new poster, "Legally Protected Orchids of India" combines illustrations of orchids and related information in an effort to aid enforcement agencies in identifying the orchid species in illegal trade.

Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF India, said, "Orchids are found throughout the Himalayan region of India. Time and again, new orchid species are discovered in the region, reflecting the hidden trove of floral treasures of the Himalayas. Conservation measures in the Himalayan region are key to conserving myriad species, including orchids and the ecosystems they represent".

Dr Merwyn Fenerandes, Coordinator, TRAFFIC's India Office, further added, "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."

In India, orchids are illegally collected from the wild and traded as ornamental plants, for use in traditional medicine and also consumed as food. The rising demand for orchids for various purposes leads to unsustainable harvesting practices. Globally this second-largest family of flowering plants has some of the most prized and traded flowers. In India, protected species of orchids such as Blue Vanda and Ladies Slipper have been found in wildlife seizures.

On the International Day for Biological Diversity in May this year, TRAFFIC and WWF India had also released a factsheet titled "Orchids: Factsheet on India's orchids in illegal wildlife trade". The Factsheet was a compilation of beautiful images and well-researched content on general information and facts about orchids, their legal status and threats.

Both the factsheet "Orchids: Factsheet on India's orchids in illegal wildlife trade" and the poster "Legally Protected Orchids of India", by TRAFFIC and WWF-India is an effort to bring conservation and protection issues related to orchids to the forefront. Both of these are freely available for use and sharing.