Guwahati, May 15 — A recent survey in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), a UNESCO World Heritage site, has documented 70 orchid species across 36 genera, showcasing the park’s rich floral diversity, officials reported on Thursday.
According to KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh, the survey is part of broader efforts to systematically document Kaziranga’s flora and fauna. The visual survey, conducted in both grassland and woodland habitats, recorded 46 epiphytic and 24 terrestrial orchid species. Noteworthy species include Acanthophippium sylhetense, Aerides odorata, Bulbophyllum ornatissimum, Dendrobium jenkinsii, and Phalaenopsis mannii.
The survey was led by orchid conservationist Khyanjeet Gogoi and supported by range officers Bibit Dihingia and Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi. Among the orchids, endemic species such as Biermannia bimaculata, Eulophia kamarupa, and Zeuxine lindleyana were identified, while rare species like Erythrodes blumei and Zeuxine membranacea were also recorded, particularly in riverbank grasslands and dense forests.
In conjunction with the study, a conservation outreach event titled the “Orchid and Butterfly Walk” was held on April 18–19 in Panbari. Over 50 students from regional schools and colleges participated in guided safaris and expert-led discussions. Brochures highlighting Panbari’s birds, Kaziranga’s butterflies, and orchids were released to raise awareness about local biodiversity.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary praised the findings on social media, stating that Kaziranga now stands among the richest orchid habitats in Northeast India. He highlighted the discovery as a testament to the park’s thriving biodiversity and dedicated conservation initiatives.
Kaziranga, known for its “Big Five” — Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses (2,613), Bengal Tigers (104), Asian Elephants (1,228), Wild Water Buffalos (2,565), and Eastern Swamp Deer (1,129) — spans three forest divisions: Eastern Assam, Bishwanath, and Nagaon. This new floral discovery adds another dimension to the park’s ecological wealth.
