Guwahati: As part of its ‘WeForNature’ outreach programme, Aaranyak, a premier biodiversity conservation organisation of Northeast India, and the Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) in association with EIACP PC Hub Assam, ASTEC organised an open forum discussion on the conservation significance of the ‘foxtail orchid’ in Assam.
The event was held on November 28 at the auditorium of the IEI, Assam centre, Guwahati.
The session featured Khyanjeet Gogoi, a renowned botanist and conservationist from Assam, who is fondly known as the ‘Orchid Man of Assam’, as the principal resource person.
Notably, Foxtail Orchid, with its rich ecological and cultural significance, is a crucial component of biodiversity.
However, urgent conservation action is needed to address threats such as overexploitation, habitat destruction, and climate change.
The event was organized to raise awareness about the importance of conservation as well as different economic prospects of foxtail orchid species among the academia and foster a sense of responsibility towards preserving these magnificent plants.
Faculties and students of Botany Department from different colleges of Guwahati as well as dignitaries from relevant field attended the event.
During his speech, Gogoi urged young students to explore the opportunities in orchid conservation. He emphasised Assam’s rich orchid diversity and its various economic prospects, urging the government to prioritise research and documentation in this area.
Er Mahesh Borkataky from IEI highlighted the importance of the event and called upon academic institutions to lead the conservation efforts for the Foxtail orchid.
Udayan Borthakur, Senior Scientist and Organising Secretary of Aaranyak, mentioned that Aaranyak being a leading research-based environmental organisation in Northeast India have numerous provisions for collaborative work with academic institutions as well as other organizations.
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Rupam Sankar Baruah, Project Scientist from ASTEC, shared the various initiatives taken by ASTEC in the restoration and conservation of orchids in Assam.
The discussion paved the way for collective action to protect and conserve foxtail orchids and other orchid species.
