Dhemaji plans image makeover with orchids
- District, known for the infamous blast and floods, hopes to make a
difference with horticulture show
SARAT SARMA
The orchid and rose garden in Dhemaji. Picture by Sarat Sarma
Nagaon, Feb. 26: Dhemaji, a town known for
the infamous blast and floods, will get its moment under the sun when
it hosts an orchid festival this spring.
For three days from April 10, a garden
close to Dhemaji town will showcase 175 varieties of orchids found in
the wilds of the Northeast.
The orchid varieties, most of which are rare, will be collected from
neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Amsoi area in Morigaon.
On display will be 40 varieties in Dhemaji
Children’s Park and almost 35 varieties from the district’s three
reserve forests of Pova, Subansiri and Jiadhol on the inter-state border
areas with Arunachal Pradesh.
Some of the rare orchids found in the garden include Rhyncostylists Retusa,
Aerides Odoratum, Eria Fragrans and Dendrobium Fimbriatum.
Dhemaji deputy commissioner M.S.
Manivannan told The Telegraph that the forest and tourism department has
been intimated about the proposed programme.
“Our aim is to showcase the district’s
natural resources. Orchids are abundant in this part of the state. The
district’s climate suits the varieties. But for an outsider, Dhemaji is
known for flood and other negative issues. Our rich natural resources
and cultural heritage will be showcased through the three-day festival,”
Manivannan said.
Orchid experts and scientists from outside the state have been invited to the
programme.
“Our invited experts include a team from
Tipi (Arunachal Pradesh)-based Orchid Research Centre. They have
promised to bring some significant orchid varieties from the
neighbouring state,” Manivannan added.
The orchid festival will also feature a
photography competition on natural beauty and a photo exhibition,
cultural programmes and two seminars on wild orchids.
Three years back, then Dhemaji deputy
commissioner P. Ashok Babu had set up a garden on a three hectares of
highland in the vicinity of the district headquarters where 40 orchid
varieties were preserved.
“It was an innovative project of the then
deputy commissioner who dreamt of making Dhemaji popular for its natural
resources. Ashok Babu’s dream garden is the venue of the scheduled
festival and all orchid varieties would be showcased on the garden
campus,” said Dhemaji additional deputy commissioner G.K. Pegu.
The exhibition of wild orchid varieties is the second such initiative in the
state.
The former vice-principal of Haflong
Government Boys’ School, Lakhidhar Bordoloi, organised a similar
exhibition in the hill district headquarters 10 years ago.
Bordoloi discontinued the festival for financial constraints.
(The Telegraph,27.02.2012).
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