Dr Najma inaugurates Facility for Mass Production of Orchids
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, August 16 2018:
Governor Dr Najma Heptulla today inaugurated the Facility for Mass Production of Orchids and Farmers Training Hostel at National Bioresource Park at Haraorou, Imphal East.
The inaugural function was organised by Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) (A National Institute of Department of Biotechnology, GoI).
The Governor appreciated Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo and the officials for taking up the initiative to promote and preserve the wild orchids for sustainable development of the local farmers.
She also lauded the institute for propagating and preserving the locally found aromatic and medicinal plant.
Stating that the State has been ranked 8th in biodiversity hotspots in the world, the Governor said that the people of the State should be proud of the achievement and take active part in propagating and preserving the biological diversity in Manipur.
She said that she is very happy to see that an Orchidium has been installed at the park.
The Governor encouraged the students of the institute to search for the unknown and strive to increase their knowledge and always be ready to accept challenges while adding that it is rather unfortunate that the country imports orchids from countries like Thailand when different variety of orchids are available and growing abundantly in the wilds of North East region.
The Governor further expressed her happiness by saying that plastic flowers, especially orchids will be soon replaced by the natural ones.
She informed that orchids have become a status symbol in Delhi, a luxurious item of decoration during weddings because it is very expensive.
She encouraged the people to treat plants kindly and with care.
The Governor also expressed her concern over Jhum cultivation and appealed to all the people to engage in multi cropping system for soil preservation instead.
Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director of IBSD said that the park has been built in a 40 acres land and has 23 water harvesting structures along with a helipad for exporting the orchids, medicinal and aromatic plants to other States.
The local population are employed for cultivation of crops and plants.
There are around 750 orchid entrepreneurs in the State and in the coming years, the State will become an Orchid hub in the country, he added.
The function was attended by faculty members and students of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) .