Orchid Rehabilitation Centre.

Gori valley is situated at the junction of Western and Central Himalaya and is considered as one of the orchid hotspots of India. At the same time, the landscape of Gori valley is subjected to tremendous pressure from both human induced and natural calamity. Orchids are integral part of the forest ecosystem but unfortunately the importance of their conservation has not yet been realized by the user groups. The concept of restoration of epiphytic orchids in the Gori valley was conceived during our earlier community initiative for orchid conservation - a project supported by Rufford Small Grant Programme in this area.

Local villager.

We have come across large number of epiphytic orchid species detached and fallen from the host trees. A number of dead host trees fully loaded with epiphytic orchids can fall any time leading to the loss of these orchids. The community living in this area use these host species for their fuel wood. They remove and throw the orchid species attached to the dead log without realizing the importance of their importance. There are threats to orchids through lopping of the host species which is most of the times for timber for building purpose. Due to this, a number of epiphytic orchid species are facing greater threats day by day. Hence, understanding the gravity of the situation, it is an urgent and timely need to collect these orchids and rehabilitate them in suitable habitat within the valley.

Orchids not only a slow growing species in nature but they also take long time to establish better colonies for their survival in a host. Sometimes, a mature colony of orchid takes 40 to 60 years to fully establish itself. Looking at the kind of degradation and destruction that such orchid colonies face, there is a strong approach required not only for restoration but also for long term benefit of Mother Nature. Therefore, this project aims at the conservation of orchids and their host trees through empowerment of local community by taking responsibility for proper management of their natural resources for a long and sustainable utilization.