Assessment of Orchids and Estimation of Current Stock of Traded Orchids in Rolpa District, Nepal

8/14/2019 Assessment of Orchids and Estimation of Current Stock of Traded Orchids in Rolpa District, Nepal

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ENUMERATION OF ORCHIDS AND ESTIMATION OF CURRENT

STOCK OF TRADED ORCHIDS IN ROLPA DISTRICT

Submitted To

DISTRICT FOREST OFFICE, ROLPA

Submitted by

Dipesh Pyakurel & Khilendra Gurung

December 2008


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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to acknowledge Mr Pashupati Nath Koirala, District Forest Officer Rolpa, for

concept development, coordination and facilitation during the field work at Rolpa. We are

thankful to Mr. Sailendra Mishra, Assistant Forest Officer, Devi Prasad Sharma, NayabSubba and other staffs of District Forest Office, Rolpa for their support and cooperation to

carry out this work.

We are grateful to Livelihood and Forestry Program (LFP) for the financial support. We are

thankful to Mr Pradeep Budhathoki, District coordinator and Mr. Yam KC, Field officer LFP

Rolpa facilitating and for their suggestions.

We are grateful to Mr Abdul Karim, local trader, Liwang for providing us the information on

the trading of Orchids.

We would also like to thank Mr Top Bahadur Budha, Forest Guard and Krishna BahadurKhadka, forest assistant, Jaulipokhari Range Post; Diwakar Acharya and Gagan Gosai,

Forest Guards, Liwang Range Post; Shyam Gharti Magar, Forest Guard, Harjang Range

Post; Mr Durga Shrestha, Forest assistant and Mr Dale Baniya, Forest Guard, Sulichaur

Range Post for assisting us in field trip.

Lastly, we would like to thank residents of 17 VDCs who supported us during the field work.


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CONTENTSCHAPTER ONE 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Objectives 2

1.3 Limitations of the Study: 2

CHAPTER TWO 3

2.1 Physiognomy of Rolpa district 3

2.2 Study area 3

CHAPTER THREE 4

3.1 Data collection 4

3.2 Identification of orchid hotspot 4

3.3 Identification of orchids 4

3.4 Stock estimation of traded orchids 4

3.4.1 Abundance 4

3.4.2 Current stock 5

CHAPTER FOUR 6

4.1 Distribution of orchids in selected VDCs of Rolpa 6

4.2 Habitats of orchids 9

4.2.1 Host plants of orchids 9

4.3 Orchid Hotspots 11

4.4 Enumeration of orchids of Rolpa district 13

4.5 Orchids in trade and their current stock 25

4.6 Uses of orchids 26

4.6.1 Medicinal uses of orchids 27

4.7 Assessment of threat 27

4.7.1 Legal and conservation gaps 28

4.8 Conservation strategies 28

4.8.1 Goals and strategic directions 28

CHAPTER FIVE 315.1 Conclusion 31

5.2 Recommendation 32

REFERENCES 33

Annex 1Pictures Plates

Maps

Map 1: Map of Rolpa showing Orchid Surveyed VDCs 3

Map 2: Map of Surveyed VDCs showing Orchid Hotspots 12

Pictures

Picture 1 Stages of methodology 5Picture 2: Photograph of Mewang CF 12

Tables

Table 1: List of recorded orchids in the selected VDCs of Rolpa district 6

Table 2: Host plants of orchids in Rolpa district 10

Table 3: Abundance and current stock of traded orchids 26

Table 4: Traditional uses of orchids 27


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Executive Summary

Orchids are perennial or rarely annual, epiphytic, terrestrial or lithophytic herbs with root

which have multi-layered spongy tissue. Orchids are notably diversified in the moist tropics

of both hemispheres in which majority are epiphytes in forests. In Nepal 363 species of

orchids are organized into 97 genera.

Orchids fall under CITES II category though collection and trade of orchids does not fall

under the jurisdiction of CITES or any existing legislation. Habitat loss, forest destruction and

degradation and over exploitation has posed threats to the conservation of orchids in Nepal.

Due to the notification on the gazette, some rare and endangered orchid species are in

threat of over exploitation from their natural habitats for trade.

Enumeration of orchid species, their status, hotspot mapping and the species that are in

trade has not been assessed to till date in Rolpa district. In the same time, District Forest

Office Rolpa needed a measurement of orchid stock for releasing permit issue.

Systematic investigation of orchids should be undertaken for the complete indexing of the

orchids and contributing to a red data book regarding the threatened and endangered

species. Orchid reserves in orchid hotspots should be established for the preservation and

regeneration of orchids. The collection of wild species of orchids for commercialization

should be banned and the rare and endangered species should be introduced in Botanic

gardens. Systematic research on propagation technique such as tissue culture should be

promoted for the commercially valuable orchids.

A total of 36 species of both terrestrial and epiphytic orchids were identified in the studied 17VDCs of Rolpa district. Orchid habitat hotspots and host plants were identified within the

community forests as well as government managed forests at the altitudes between 1000-

2300m in humid and moisture rich mixed broadleaved forest of the surveyed VDCs.

Of the total broadleaved forest area of the surveyed VDCs, it is assumed that only 40% of

the total broadleaved forest area host orchids. Total stock of D. denudans was recorded

highest in Uwa VDC with 11018.08 kg followed by Seram VDC with the stock of 9982.57 kg

and Liwang VDC with total stock of 6057.35 kg. Similarly, total stock of D. eriiflorumwas

recorded highest in Seram, Siuri and Jaimakasala with the total stock of 22750.01 kg,

7039.67 kg and 4933.46 kg respectively. However, total stock of orchids comprises of all

size / age classes and cannot be harvested in totality.


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CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

Orchids (Nepali name: Sunakhari, Sungava, Jivanti; Family: Orchidaceae) is one of the

largest family of flowering plants comprising more than 17000 species in the world. In Nepal363 species of orchids are organized into 97 genera (Rajbhandari and Bhattarai, 2001).

Orchids are notably diversified in the moist tropics of both hemispheres in which majority are

epiphytes in forests. Most of the temperate and almost all of the alpine genera are terrestrial,

while some are lithophytes.

The first systematic orchids collection in Nepal was done by Hamilton in 1802 and Wallich in

1820 mainly from Kathmandu valley (Rajbhandari, 1976) and their collections were studied

by David Don in 1825-26. Hara et al. (1978), Banerji (1978) and Banerji and Pradhan (1984)

have given list and descriptions of orchids of Nepal. Till then, several orchids new to Nepal

have been reported by Bajracharya et al. (1993), Bania et al. (1993), Cribb and Tang (1983),DuPuy and Cribb (1988), Pearce and Cribb (1996), Rajbhandari and Bhattarai (1995-96),

Rajbhandari et al. (1997, 1998), Shakya (2000), Shakya and Bania (1998); Shakya and

Chaudhary (1999), Wood (1986, 1989).

Orchids are perennial or rarely annual, epiphytic, terrestrial or lithophytic herbs with root

which have multi-layered spongy tissue. They are capable of absorbing and storing

considerable quantity of moisture. In terrestrial species, the roots are often swollen into

tubers or stems from corms or rhizomes. Stems of epiphytic species are often thickened to

form a pseudo-bulb with adventitious roots. Two types of growth habit are found in orchids:

Sympodial and monopodial. In sympodial plants the shoots are clustered together or spreadout on a long rhizome and new shoots may arise from any part of the older shoots where

there is an axillary bud. In monopodial plants the shoots have the potential for indefinite

apical growth.

Habitat loss, forest destruction and degradation and over exploitation has posed threats to

the conservation of orchids in Nepal. Detailed studies to understand the conservation status

of orchids of Nepal are still lacking. It is considered that many orchid species of Nepal are at

the threatened stage now.

Up to the fiscal year 2063/064; 2353kg of orchids were released from Rolpa district thereby

generating the revenue of Rs.7459 (DFO Rolpa, 2008). But, the enumeration of orchid

species, their status, hotspot mapping and the species that are in trade has not been

assessed to till date.

At the same time, Government of Nepal published the notification on the gazette dated

Baishakh 2, 2065 (14th April 2008) stating the permit to collect wild orchids for the trade

which were banned for the collection previously. Due to this notification, some rare and


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endangered orchid species are in threat of over exploitation from their natural habitats for

trade.

On the basis of these information and considering the enumeration and assessment of

orchids in the district, District Forest Office (DFO), Rolpa and Livelihood Forestry Project

(LFP), Rolpa wished to carry out a detail enumeration and an assessment of orchids in thedistrict. In the same time, District Forest Office Rolpa needed a measurement of stock for

releasing permit issue. Therefore, a team of two botanists conducted a study on 17 VDCs of

Rolpa district.

Systematic investigation of orchids should be undertaken for the complete indexing of the

orchids and contributing to a red data book regarding the threatened and endangered

species. Orchid reserves in orchid hotspots should be established for the preservation and

regeneration of orchids. The collection of wild species of orchids for commercialization

should be banned and the rare and endangered species should be introduced in Botanic

gardens. Systematic research on propagation technique such as tissue culture should bepromoted for the commercially valuable orchids.

1.2 Objectives

The present study aims to enumerate the orchid species of Rolpa district. The specific

objectives are as follows:

1. To identify the orchid hotspots in the selected VDCs of Rolpa district.

2. To enumerate the orchid species distributed in the selected VDCs of Rolpa district.

3. To assess the current stock of traded orchid species in the selected VDCs of Rolpa

district.

4. To assess the threat and formulate the conservation strategies of orchids in Rolpa

district.

1.3 Limitations of the study

Most of epiphytic orchids flower during April-June. Field survey (September-October) was

dry and most of terrestrial orchids had died or were not in flowering stage. Thus few orchids

without flower were not identified.

Due to limited time frame, 17 VDCs out of 51 was surveyed. Only two speices were in tradefrom Rolpa district Thus current stock was calculated for these two species only.


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CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Physiognomy of Rolpa district

Rolpa district lies in the mid western region in Rapti Zone, Nepal. By covering an area of

187,150 ha, it lies at 280 8280 38 N latitude and 830 10840 9 E longitude. The altitudinal

range varies from 7013639m representing tropical, temperate and sub-alpine types of

climate. The district is surrounded by Rukum to the North, Baglung and Pyuthan to the East,Salyan to the West and Pyuthan and Dang to the South.

Of the total land area, 94,097 ha (50.28%) area is covered with forest and grazing land

coverage of 32,699 ha (17.47%) area of the district.

The maximum temperature of the district is 31.20C and the minimum temperature as 3.60C.

Similarly, the maximum rainfall was recorded as 1836mm and the minimum rainfall as

1388mm.

The ecological zones of the district encompasses Sal, Chir Pine, Alder, Himalayan Oak-

Laurel, Mixed Rhododendron-Oak, Temperate Mountain Oak, Rhododendron, sub-alpine

scrub and sub-alpine meadow forest and vegetation types.

2.2 Study areaOn the basis of the information on the availability and distribution of orchids in the district,

Jhenam, Dubring, Sakhi, Dubidanda, Masina, Nuwagaon, Gairigaon, Kotgaun, Liwang,

Khumel, Mijhing, Jaimakasala, Siuri, Seram, Uwa, Aresh and Tewang village development

committees (VDCs) were chosen as the study area for the observation and assessment of

Orchid resources in Rolpa. The map of the study area is shown below.

Map 1: Map of Rolpa showing Orchid Surveyed VDCs


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CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Data collection

Primary data were collected using different tools like observation, measurement, interviews,

consultation with key informants and other relevant PRA tools. Forest guards, herbs traders,

hotel owners, and farmers were the main key informants interviewed. Verbal open ended

questions were asked for the interview and discussions. The secondary information was

collected from related publications, research papers, District Forest Office and other

documents as per necessity. The secondary data were collected for the verification of

primary data and additional information as well.

3.2 Identification of orchid hotspot

Orchid sampling and observation were conducted in defined habitats. The identification of

orchids hotspots was done systematically by observing abundance, habitat, forest types,

moisture, altitude and aspects. GPS coordinates/data were taken to locate the hotspots of

orchid in their specific habitats.

Habitats of epiphytic orchids were identified on the basis of researchers knowledge and

expertise.

3.3 Identification of orchids

Observed orchids were identified visually on the basis of researchers knowledge.

Unidentified species were collected and identified consulting with the reference literatures asStainton and Polunin (1984); Stainton (1988); Rajbhandari and Bhattarai (2001); Milleville

and Shrestha (2005). Enumerations of all available orchids were carried out according to

Rajbhandari and Bhattarai (2001) and Press et al. (2000).

3.4 Stock estimation of traded orchids

3.4.1 Abundance

Abundance of particular species is defined as the number of species A found in all plots to

the total area of the plots per hectare. It was calculated using the following formula as givenby Zobel et al. (1987):

10000quadratofareastudiedquadratofnumberTotal

speciesanyofplantofnumberTotalPl/haAbundance

=


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For orchids, following steps were carried out in the field to find out the abundance.

3.4.2 Current stock

Traded orchid species were collected from the study sites in patches. Number of individuals

in each patch was counted. Fresh weight of bulb/pseudo-bulb was taken in the field with the

help of balance (Picture 1). The species were sun dried for 15-20 days according to the

nature of orchids and dry weight of each bulb/pseudo-bulb was taken using digital balance.

Finally total stock of traded orchid species per hectare was calculated.

Number of orchids in a plot is calculated with the help of following steps

1. Average number of plant is counted in each patch

2. Total number of patches of "Species A" is counted in each quadrat.

Picture 1 Stages of methodology:A-Patch of Dendrobium eriiflorum;B-Researcher takingphotograph of epiphytic orchid;C-Weighing Dendrobium denudans & D-Drying D. denudans

A B

DC


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CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Distribution of orchids in selected VDCs of Rolpa

Altogether 36 species of orchids were recorded and identified in the studied 17 VDCs of

Rolpa district. 31 species were identified up to species level, another two species wereidentified up to genetic level and three were unidentifed. List of identified as well as

unidentifed orchids with color plate is given in Annex 1. The VDC wise lists of recorded

orchids are given in Table 1.

Table 1: List of recorded orchids in the selected VDCs of Rolpa district.

SN Name of

VDCs

Recorded orchid species Most abundant

orchids

1 Jhenam Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogyne

corymbosa, Coelogynecristata,Coelogyneovalis,

Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobiumbicameratum,

Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobiumlongicornu,

Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Herminiumlanceum,

Kingidiumtaenialis, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vanda

cristata, Satyrium nepalense,

Coelogyneovalis,

Dendrobium

denudans,

Kingidium

taenialis

2 Dubring Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogyne





Kingidiumtaenialis, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vandacristata, Satyrium nepalense, Cleisostemasp

Coelogyneovalis,

Dendrobium

aphyllum,

Kingidium

taenialis

3 Sakhi Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne






cristata, Satyrium nepalense

Coelogyneovalis,

Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Coelogyne

cristata

4 Dubidanda Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogyne






cristata, Satyrium nepalense, Cleisostemasp

Dendrobium

aphyllum,

Dendrobium

denudans,

Coelogyne

corymbosa

5 Masina Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogyne


Coelogyneovalis,

Dendrobium


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Kingidiumtaenialis, Rhynchostylisretusa, Vanda

cristata, Satyrium nepalense, Cleisostemasp

longicornu, Vanda

cristata

6 Nuwagaun Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogynecorymbosa, Coelogynecristata,Coelogyneovalis,



Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Herminiumlanceum, Kingidium

taenialis, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vandacristata, Satyrium

nepalense

Coelogyneovalis,Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Coelogyne

cristata

7 Gairigaun Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogyne





Kingidiumtaenialis, Rhynchostylisretusa, Vanda


Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Coelogyne

cristata,

Dendrobium

aphyllum

8 Kotgaun Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata,Coelogyne







Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Dendrobium

denudans, Vanda

cristata

9 Liwang Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Bulbophyllum

viridiflorum,Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogyne

corymbosa, Coelogynecristata, Coelogyne flaccida,

Coelogyneovalis, Cymbidiumelegans, Cymbidium

iridioides, Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobium

bicameratum, Dendrobiumchryseum, Dendrobium

denudans, Dendrobiumheterocarpum, Dendrobium

longicornu, Epigeneiumamplum, Gastrochilus

calceolaris, Herminiumlanceum, Kingidiumtaenialis,

Oberoniaacaulis, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vandacristata

Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Dendrobium

denudans,

Dendrobium

longicornu

10 Khumel Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Bulbophyllum

viridiflorum,Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogyne

corymbosa,Coelogynecristata, Coelogyne flaccida,

Coelogyneovalis, Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobium

bicameratum, Dendrobiumchryseum, Dendrobium

denudans, Dendrobiumheterocarpum, Dendrobium

longicornu, Epigeneiumamplum, Gastrochilus

Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Dendrobium

longicornu,

Dendrobium

bicameratum


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calceolaris, Herminiumlanceum, Kingidium

taenialis,Rhynchostylisretusa,Vandacristata

11 Mijhing Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne

corymbosa, Coelogynecristata, Dendrobiumaphyllum,

Dendrobiumbicameratum, Dendrobiumchryseum,

Dendrobiumeriiflorum,Dendrobiumheterocarpum,Dendrobiumlongicornu, Gastrochiluscalceolaris,

Herminiumlanceum, Kingidiumtaenialis, Oberonia

acaulis, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vandacristata

Dendrobium

bicameratum,

Rhynchostylis

retusa,Vandacristata

12 Jaimakasala Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Chiloschista

usneoides, Coelogynecorymbosa, Coelogynecristata,

Coelogyne flaccida, Coelogyneovalis, Dendrobium

aphyllum, Dendrobiumbicameratum, Dendrobium

chryseum, Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobium

eriiflorum, Dendrobiumheterocarpum, Dendrobium

longicornu, Epigeneium amplum, Herminiumlanceum,

Oberoniaacaulis, Pleionehookeriana, Rhynchostylis

retusa,Vandacristata, Oberoniasp

Dendrobium

denudans,

Dendrobium

eriiflorum,

Epigeneium

amplum,Oberonia

acaulis

13 Seram Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Chiloschista






longicornu, Herminiumlanceum, Oberoniaacaulis,

Pleionehookeriana, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vanda

cristata, Oberoniasp

Dendrobium

bicameratum,

Dendrobium

denudans,

Dendrobium

eriiflorum,

Oberoniaacaulis

14 Uwa Aerides odorata, Calanthetricarinata, Coelogyne


Coelogyneovalis, Cypripediumhimalaicum,

Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Dendrobiumaphyllum,

Dendrobiumbicameratum, Dendrobiumdenudans,

Dendrobiumheterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu,

Epigeneium amplum, Herminiumlanceum, Kingidium

taenialis, Oberoniaacaulis, Pleionehookeriana,

Rhynchostylisretusa,Satyrium nepalense,Vanda

cristata

Coelogyne

corymbosa,

Dendrobium

denudans,

Epigeneium

amplum, Oberonia

acaulis

15 Siuri Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Chiloschista






Dendrobium

bicameratum,Den

drobium

denudans,

Dendrobium

eriiflorum,


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longicornu, Herminiumlanceum, Oberoniaacaulis,

Pleionehookeriana, Rhynchostylisretusa,Vanda

cristata,OberoniaspOberoniaacaulis

16 Aresh Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne


Dendrobiumlongicornu, Herminiumlanceum,

Kingidiumtaenialis, Oberoniaacaulis, Rhynchostylis


Aerides multiflora,

Coelogyne

cristata, Vanda

cristata

17 Tewang Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne


Dendrobiumlongicornu, Herminiumlanceum,

Kingidiumtaenialis, Oberoniaacaulis, Rhynchostylis


Aerides multiflora,

Coelogyne

cristata, Vanda

cristata

4.2 Habitat of orchids

The mid altitudes between 1,0002,300m of the studied VDCs harbor the highest number of

epiphytic orchid species in Rolpa district. Whereas, few terrestrial orchid species grow on

meadows and underlying forest covers ranging from sub-tropical to sub-alpine regions in

studied VDCs. The suitability of luxuriant growth of epiphytic orchids in the mid-hills is due to

the moisture rich mossy habitat as a result of high cloud formation.

Typically, the mid altitudes benefit twice daily from a cloud bath by the rising and falling

cloud line. As a result of such a daily weather cycle in the mid-hills, the medium bark of

trees/shrubs decompose so quickly into anaerobic sludge combined with lots of air

movement and strong light seems to make orchids as sturdy and resilient.

4.2.1 Host plants of orchids

Most of the orchid species were found growing in Angeri (Lyonia ovalifolia), Banjh (Quercus

leucotrichophora), Katush (Castanopsis indica), Lali Gurans (Rhododendron arboreum) and

Kaphal (Myrica esculenta) in sub-tropical and temperate regions. Similarly, Chiuri

(Diploknema butyracea), Mauwa (Engelhardia spicata) and Sal (Shorea robusta) host

majority of orchid species in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the studied VDCs of Rolpa

district. The lists of host plants along with epiphytic orchids are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Host plants of orchids in Rolpa district

SN Host plants Orchid species

1 Angeri (Lyonia

ovalifolia)

Bulbophyllumviridiflorum, Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogyne

corymbosa, Coelogynecristata, Coelogyneovalis, Cymbidium

elegans, Cymbidiumiridioides, Dendrobiumaphyllum,


Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobiumeriiflorum, Dendrobium


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heterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu, Epigeneiumamplum,

Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Kingidiumtaenialis, Oberoniaacaulis,

Pleionehookeriana,Vandacristata, Cleisostemasp

2 Ban Litchi

(Benthamidia capitata)

Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobiumlongicornu

3 Banjh (Quercusleucotrichophora)

Bulbophyllum viridiflorum, Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogynecorymbosa, Coelogynecristata, Cymbidiumelegans,

Cymbidiumiridioides, Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobium

bicameratum, Dendrobiumchryseum,Dendrobiumdenudans,

Dendrobiumeriiflorum, Dendrobiumheterocarpum,

Dendrobiumlongicornu, Epigeneiumamplum, Gastrochilus

calceolaris, Pleionehookeriana, Vandacristata, Cleisostema

sp

4 Chiuri (Diploknema

butyracea)

Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne flaccida,


heterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu, Gastrochilus

calceolaris, Oberoniaacaulis, Rhynchostylisretusa, Vanda

cristata, Oberoniasp.

5 Chutro (Berberis

asiatica)

Chiloschista usneoides, Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobium

eriiflorum, Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Kingidiumtaenialis

6 Kaphal (Myrica

esculenta)

Coelogynecorymbosa, Coelogyne flaccida, Coelogyneovalis,

Cymbidiumiridioides, Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobium

bicameratum, Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobiumeriiflorum,

Dendrobiumlongicornu, Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Oberonia

acaulis,Vandacristata

7 Katush (Castanopsis

indica)

Bulbophyllum viridiflorum, Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogyne


Coelogyneovalis, Cymbidiumiridioides, Dendrobiumaphyllum,


Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobiumeriiflorum, Dendrobium

heterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu, Epigeneiumamplum,

Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Kingidiumtaenialis, Oberoniaacaulis,

Vandacristata

8 Kaulo (Persea

odoratissima)

Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogynecorymbosa, Coelogyne

cristata, Coelogyne flaccida, Coelogyneovalis, Dendrobium

aphyllum, Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobiumeriiflorum,

Dendrobiumheterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu,Epigeneiumamplum, Oberoniaacaulis, Vandacristata

9 Khote salla (Pinus

roxburghii)

Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobium

longicornu, Rhynchostylisretusa

10 Lali Gurans

(Rhododendron

arboreum)

Bulbophyllum viridiflorum, Chiloschista usneoides, Coelogyne


Coelogyneovalis, Cymbidiumelegans, Cymbidiumiridioides,

Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobiumbicameratum, Dendrobium


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chryseum, Dendrobiumdenudans, Dendrobiumeriiflorum,

Dendrobiumheterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu,

Epigeneiumamplum, Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Kingidium

taenialis, Oberoniaacaulis, Pleionehookeriana, Vandacristata

11 Lek chutro (Berberis

aristata)

Chiloschista usneoides,Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobium

denudans, Dendrobiumeriiflorum, Dendrobiumlongicornu,Kingidiumtaenialis, Vandacristata

12 Mauwa(Engelhardia

spicata)

Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne flaccida,


bicameratum, Dendrobiumeriiflorum, Dendrobium

heterocarpum, Dendrobiumlongicornu, Gastrochilus

calceolaris, Oberoniaacaulis, Rhynchostylisretusa

13 Mayal(Pyrus pashia) Chiloschista usneoides, Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobium

longicornu, Kingidiumtaenialis, Vandacristata

14 Sal(Shorea robusta) Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Coelogyne flaccida,

Dendrobiumaphyllum, Dendrobiumeriiflorum, Dendrobium

heterocarpum, Gastrochiluscalceolaris, Oberoniaacaulis,

Rhynchostylisretusa, Oberoniasp.

15 Lithophytic Dendrobiumdenudans, Kingidiumtaenialis, Epigeneium

amplum

16 Terrestrial Calanthetricarinata,Coelogynecristata, Coelogyne

corymbosa, Cypripediumhimalaicum, Dactylorhiza hatagirea,

Herminiumlanceum, Pleionehookeriana,Satyrium nepalense4.3 Orchid Hotspots

Orchid habitat comprises of undisturbed mixed broadleaved forest with moisture content.

Such type of habitat harbors varieties of orchids in quantity and in terms of biodiversity, it is

known as "Orchid Hotspot".

Orchid hotspot has been identified in forest of Jhenam, Dubring, Dubidanda, Masina, Sakhi,

Nuagaun, Gairagaun, Kotgaun, Libang, Khumel, Jaimakasala, Uwa, Seram and Siuri VDC.

Orchid hotspot of surveyed VDCs is shown in Map 2.


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Picture 2: Photograph of Mewang CF, Liwang which is one of the Orchid Hotspot

among the surveyed VDCs

Map 2: Map of Surveyed VDCs showing Orchid Hotspots


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4.4 Enumeration of orchids of Rolpa district

Enumeration of the recorded orchids of the selected 17 VDCs of Rolpa district are as

follows:

1. Aerides multifloraRoxb.

Habitat and distribution: This species is found in Nepal, India, Myanmar, Thailand,

Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In Nepal it occurs as an epiphytic herb in the tropical and

sub-tropical forests at 200-1100m.

Diagnostic characters: Stem stout, 10-25cm long many leaved. Leaves 15-30cm long, 1.5-

2cm broad, ligulate, distichous, deeply channelled and keeled, curved, 2-lobed.

Inflorescences 20-40cm long, many-flowered, densely set in semi-pendant cylindrical

racemes; floral bracts 0.3cm long, 0.2cm broad, triangular, 1-nerved, dark-brown. Flowers

waxy, pinkish-white, 1.5-3cm across. Sepals elliptic-oblong or orbicular, rounded. Petals

oblong-spathulate, apex round. Lip magneta, clawed, geniculate, adnate to the base of the

column, 3 -lobed, convex, margins recurved, basal half of the lip thick and with a retrorse

tooth or callus pointing across the mouth of the rectangularly bent spur; apex of side lobes

rounded; mid-lobe cordate or hastate-ovate, apex rounded, slightly convex above; spur

pointing forwards, short, straight, compressed. Column beaked, with 2 rounded auricles on

the foot. Flowering: May-July.

2. Aerides odorataLour.

Habitat and distribution: This species is found in Nepal, Sikkim, Bangladesh, Myanmar,

South China, Indonesia and the Philippines. It occurs as an epiphytic herb in the tropical and

sub-tropical regions at 200-1200m.

Diagnostic characters: Stem stout, dropping, branching, 10-30cm long. Leaves fleshy,

incurved, 15-30cm long, 2-5cm broad, oblong-ligulate, roundly lobed at apex, pale green.

Inflorescence pendulous, 15-30cm long, densely up to 30-flowered; peduncle and rachis

stout; sticky when young; acute. Flowers white with pink spots; fragrant. Dorsal sepal

oblong, obtuse, lateral sepals longer than the dorsal sepal, narrowly triangular-lanceolate.

Petals narrowly oblong. Lip adnate to the short foot of the column, 3-lobed, almost enclosing

the column; side lobes sub-quadrate, erect, margins entire or toothed; mid lobe short,

incurved, oblong, acute, entire; disc with small keels around the nectar and 2-curved

appendages in the mouth; spur large, horn-like, incurved. Flowering time: May-July.


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3. Bulbophyllumcareyanum(Hook.) Sprengel

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India and Myanmar. It occurs as an epiphytic

herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east, central and western Nepal at 600-

2100m.

Diagnostic characters: Rhizomes stout. Pseudo-bulbs globose or oblong, lightly grooved,single-leaved, 1.5-5cm long, 1.5-2.5cm broad. Leaves 10-20cm long, 2-4cm broad, oblong,

tapering to each end, notched. Inflorescence scape about the length of the pseudo-bulb,

stout, brown and clothed with many bracts of the same color bearing a dense flower at its

apex, decurved, cylindric raceme; floral bract lanceolate, longer than the stalked ovary.

Flowers densely imbricating, orange yellow spotted and suffused with red-brown. Sepals

unequal, the dorsal smaller, oblong. Petals about one- third the size of the sepals, fleshy,

narrowly triangular with a few projecting bristle- like teeth on the edges. Lip pinkish, longer

than the petals, oblong, broad base with two short falcate side lobes, edges minutely

ciliolate. Column orange, short with two, broad apical teeth and a short curved foot.

Flowering time: October-December.

4. Bulbophyllumviridiflorum

Habitat and distribution: Found in Nepal, India and Bhutan. It occurs as an epiphytic herb

in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east, central and west Nepal at 1100-2300m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs caespitose, crowded, ovoid, tapering much to the

apex. Leaves 5-15cm long and 2-3cm broad, elliptic-oblong, sub-acute, tapering much to the

channelled petiole. Inflorescence scape equalled or exceeding the leaf, decurved, with two

sheathing bracts at the base and several scattered along the peduncle, flowers in umbels of

5-9 on long pedicels; floral bract ovate, acuminate, shorter than the pedicel. Flowers pale

yellow spotted with purple, 1-2cm long. Dorsal sepal free at its base from the lateral pair,

broadly ovate, apiculate, concave, vaulted over the column; lateral sepals free, twice as long

as the dorsal, ovate from at broad base, sub-acute, upper margins incurved, apices

divergent. Petals broadly elliptic, shortly apiculate, shorter than the dorsal sepal, spreading.

Lip purple, deflexed from the middle, oblong with a very broad base, apex minutely

emarginate; under surface with a grooved keel. Column stout, with broad rectangular wings,

apical teeth long, filiform, decurved; apex upturned. Flowering time: July-October.

5.CalanthetricarinataLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, West China and Japan. Itoccurs as a terrestrial herb on the forest floor from the sub-tropical to sub-alpine regions at

1500-3200m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs broadly ovoid, 1.5-2.5cm long. Pseudo stems 7.5-

20cm long. Leaves 2 or 3, 20-35cm long, 5-7.5cm broad, oblanceolate, acute, much

narrowed in the lower half, petiolate or sessile. Inflorescence from the developing pseudo-

bulb, attached by the young leaves and arising from the axil of one of them, longer than the


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adult leaves, 30-50cm long, the peduncle longer than the laxly-flowered raceme, the rachis

and stalked ovaries pubescent; floral bracts lanceolate, shorter than the slender pedicel of

the ovary. Flowers 1-2cm across, externally green, edged with white; internally they are of a

pale yellowish-green. Sepals and petals broadly lanceolate,spreading. Lip adnate to the

whole length of the column broadly oblong, decurved, 3-lobed, base with a didymous

puberulous callus, green, but the fleshy ridged callus on its upper surface and anther arepurple, side lobes short, erect, broad and rounded; the mid lobe oblong, obtuse, edges much

undulate and the upper surface with a large fleshy callus divided into three ridges. Flowering

time: June-July.

6. Chiloschista usneoides(D. Don) Lindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India and Bhutan. It occurs as an epiphytic

herb in the sub-tropical regions of central and western Nepal at 1600-1700m.

Diagnostic characters: Roots densely tufted, tortuous. Stem and leaves absent.

Inflorescence 7.5-15cm long raceme, many-flowered; peduncle brownish, bearing a few

amplexicaul, ovate, acute, membranous, deciduous bracts. Flowers sub-sessile, white or

greenish-yellow, 1.5cm across. Sepals spreading, oblong, obtuse. Petals broader,

spreading. Lip gibbous with a long claw, side lobes oblong, obtuse; disc between the side

lobes pubescent; mid-lobe truncate. Column short. Flowering time: February-April.

7. CoelogynecorymbosaLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan and China. It occurs as an

epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east, central and western Nepal

at 1500-2900m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs short, clustered, ovoid to sub-rhomboidal, 2.5-4.5cm

long and 2-2.5cm broad, 2-leaved at the apex. Leaves 10-20cm long, 2-3.5cm broad, elliptic-

lanceolate, sub-erect, acute. Inflorescence racemose from the base of the pseudobulb, erect

or deurved, 2-4 flowered, 7-20cm long. Scape covered in sheaths to first flower. Sheaths

1.5-2.5cm long, 1.5cm broad, ovate, acute. Flowers fragrant, 6-7cm across, white. Sepals

lanceolate or elliptic, acute. Petals narrowly lanceolate, acute. Lip oblong, white with 4 large

yellow eyes bordered with orange-red, 3-lobed, side lobes broad and blunt, erose; mid-lobe

ovate to lanceolate, apex acute to acuminate and recurved, crenulated towards the base,

disc with 3 lamellae. Column curved, slightly winged towards the apex, outside white, inside

yellowish-brown. Flowering time: March-May.

8. CoelogynecristataLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India and Bhutan. In Nepal it occurs as an

epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions at 1400-2500m.


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Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs oblong or ovoid, closely spaced on rhizome, 5-8cm

long, 1.5-4cm in diameter, 2-leaved at apex. Leaves sessile, 15-30cm long, 2-2.5cm broad,

narrowly lanceolate, acute. Inflorescence racemose from the base of the pseudobulb,

pendulous, 15-30cm long, 3-10 flowered; bracts 2.5-5cm long, persistent. Flowers white, 8-

10cm across. Sepals narrowly elliptic-oblong, undulate, sub-acute. Petals similar to sepals

acute. Lip oblong, 3-lobed with large rounded side lobes; mid-lobe broad, short, crenate withtwo broad, square, yellow lamellae on its upper surface; disc between the side lobes with

four yellow fimbriate lamellae. Column long, apex hooded and crenate. Flowering time:

February-April.

9. Coelogyne flaccidaLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Myanmar, West China and Laos. It

occurs as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical regions of central and west Nepal at 900-

1400m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs conical or ovoid-cylindric, up to 12cm long, 2.5cm

broad, 2-leaved at apex. Leaves 10-18cm long, 2-3cm broad, linear-lanceolate, acuminate;

petiole 3.5-5cm long. Inflorescence racemose from the base of the pseudobulb, pendulous,

up to 20cm long, 7-9 flowered, bracts obovate, acute, caduceus. Flowers 3-5cm across,

white with yellow on middle of lip, striped red on side lobes and spotted red at base of mid-

lobe. Sepals lanceolate, acute. Petals linear, acute, reflexed. Lip oblong, 3-lobed; side lobes

long with acute apices; mid-lobe oblong, acute, reflexed; disc with three yellow flexuose

ridges between the side lobes. Column white, broadly and erosely hooded at the apex.

Flowering time: April-June.

10.CoelogyneovalisLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan and China. In Nepal it occurs

as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions at 1300-2100m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs ovoid to fusiform 3-8cm long, 1-1.5cm broad, borne

somewhat distant on a creeping rhizome, 2-leaved at apex. Leaves 9-15cm long, 2.5-4cm

broad, narrowly elliptic, acute to acuminate. Inflorescence racemose from between the pair

of leaves on the apex of pseudobulb; 1-3 flowered, 12cm long, subtended at base by 3

sheaths; floral bracts coriaceous, ovate, convolute, caducous. Flowers pale brown, 3.5-5cm

across. Sepals ovate, acute, spreading. Petals linear, acute, spreading. Lip oblong, 3-lobed

in middle, brown having blackish-brown markings and hairs; side lobes narrow, recurved;

mid lobe broadly oblong, its edges and upper surface with stiff black hairs; disc with two

crisped lamellae from base to apex. Column curved, broadly winged in its upper half of light

color than the rest of the flower. Flowering time: September-December.


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11. CymbidiumelegansLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India and Bhutan. It occurs as an epiphytic

or as a terrestrial herb in the temperate zones of east, central and western Nepal at 2100-

2500m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs short. Leaves narrowly linear, acuminate, slightly

expanded and equitant at the base; 45-60cm long, 1.5-2cm broad. Inflorescence axillary,

decurved, as long as the leaves; peduncled longer than the raceme, clothed to the apex by a

few lanceolate acuminate convolute sheaths, 10-15cm long; raceme densely flowered; floral

bracts membranous, minute. Flowers pale lemon yellow with parallel brownish streaks, 3.5-

4.5cm long and 1.5cm across. Sepals and petals sub-equal, erect, oblong, acute and slightly

concave at the tips. Lip as long as the petals, narrowly oblong; the side lobes near the apex,

incurved, rounded, white with many dark red streaks at base and spots towards margin; the

disc between them with two parallel ridges united at the apex and with a large pubescent

callus at the base; mid-lobe small, sub-orbicular, undulate, incurved. Column long, slender,slightly pubescent at the base in front, the apex slightly curved forwards. Flowering time:

September-November.

12. CymbidiumiridioidesD. Don

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. It occurs

as an epiphytic and as a lithophytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east,

central and western Nepal at 1300-2400m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs 5-15cm long, 2-6cm in diameter, elongate bisidely

flattened. Leaves up to 90cm long, 2-4cm broad, linear, acute. Inflorescence 45-80cm long,

sub-erect to horizontal; peduncle stiff; floral bracts triangular. Flowers yellowish-green

stained with irregular veins and spots of red or ginger-brown, with a narrow cream margin,

up to 10cm across. Dorsal sepal narrowly obovate, acute, concave, lateral sepals similar,

slightly asymmetric and twisted forward giving the flower a half-open appearance. Petals

ligulate, slightly curved, spreading. Lip 3-lobed, fused to the column base for 4-5mm,

yellowish, side-lobes dark red-veined, mid-lobe yellow at the base, marked with a broad sub-

marginal band of confluent deep red spots and blotches; side-lobes triangular, slightly

rounded at the apex, margin fringed with short hairs; mid-lobe ovate, strongly recurved,

sparsely hairy except in the center where two or three lines of long hairs extend from the

callus to beyond the center of the mid-lobe; margin erose and undulating, fringed with short

hairs; callus ridges 2, short, reaching half way down the disc, dilated at the apex, tapering off

rapidly below, covered in long hairs. Column winged, short hairs present ventrally near the

base, callus ridges yellowish, spotted maroon in front. Flowering time: September-

December.


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13. CypripediumhimalaicumRolfe

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan and China. In Nepal it occurs

as a terrestrial herb in the sub-alpine and alpine regions at 3000-4800m.

Diagnostic characters: Stem 20-30cm high, clothed at the base by 3 or 4 unequal, lax,

tubular, acute sheaths, 1-4cm long. Leaves 3-4, unequal, lowest the smallest, scattered,

larger leaves 6-8.5cm long, 2.5-5cm broad, the lower leaf only 3.5-5cm long and less than

1.2cm broad, from oblong to broadly elliptic, acute, slightly narrowed to the sheathing base,

puberulous. Floral bracts narrowly elliptic, acute, slightly concave, longer than the flower,

many-nerved. Flower solitary, pinkish-brown, 6.5cm in diameter vertically and less than 5cm

horizontally. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, acute, somewhat concave, the lateral pair slightly

longer but only one third as wide. Petals spreading, narrowly oblong, sub-acute, longer than

the dorsal sepal. Lip pendent, sub-cylindrically ventricose, many-nerved, brownish, having a

strong tinge of purple; the mouth wide, crenate. Flowering time: June-August.

14. Dactylorhiza hatagirea(D. Don) Soo

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, Pakistan, North India, Bhutan and Southeast

Tibet. It occurs as a terrestrial herb in moist places of east, central and western Nepal at

3000-4000m.

Diagnostic characters: Orchid about 45cm high, roots tuberous, slightly flattened and

divided into 3 or 5 fingers like lobes. Leaves oblanceolate, base sheathing. Flowers purple,

narrowly lanceolate. Flowering and fruiting: June.-July (fl.), August-September (fr.)

Status: Commercially threatened; Government protected (ban for collection, use, sale,

distribution, transportation and export).

15. Dendrobiumaphyllum(Roxb.) G.E.C. Fischer

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

It occurs as an epiphytic herb in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of east, central and

western Nepal at 200-1500m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems slender, pendulous, leafy, 30cm to 1m long. Leaves

deciduous, 5-12cm long 2-3cm broad, linear, acute. Inflorescences abbreviated 1-3 floweredat each node, borne on old stems; peduncles springing from the slightly swollen nodes of the

leafless stems; floral bracts oblong, acute. Flowers white or Rose color, 4-5cm in diameter,

fragrant. Sepals oblong-lanceolate, acute. Petals broadly oblong, acute, wider than the

sepals. Lip tubular at base, shortly clawed, as long as broad, cream or pale yellow, purple-

veined, sub-orbicular, convolute, 3-lobed, pubescent above, margins erose, almost ciliate,

apex rounded; callus at base of lip, 3-ridged. Column broad at the apex, foot tapering, flat in

its upper part, white. Flowering time: April-June.


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16. DendrobiumbicameratumLindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal and India. It occurs as an epiphytic herb in

the sub-tropical and temperate regions of central and western Nepal at 1400-2400m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems fusiform, elongate, 7.5-40cm long and 0.5-1.2cm thick at the

thickest part. Leaves 3.5-7.5cm long and 2-2.5cm broad, elliptic to lanceolate, the apex

acute and obliquely and minutely bifid. Inflorescence with densely clustered flowers on a

short rachis and forming a capitate lateral or sub-terminal raceme; floral bracts sheathing the

shortly-stalked ovary. Flowers yellow marked with red, 1cm across. Dorsal sepal broadly

ovate-oblong; lateral pair triangular, all concave and sub-acute. Petals broadly elliptic,

obtuse, as long as the sepals. Lip small, fleshy, concave, broadly triangular and 3-lobed, the

side lobes triangular, acute, erect; the mid-lobe short, truncate; disc fleshy, smooth; column

short, with two large oblong nectar-secreting cells. Flowering time: July-August.

17. DendrobiumchryseumRolfe



Diagnostic characters: Stems scarcely clavate, the leafy stems smooth, leafless vertically

ridged, 45-75cm long. Leaves coriaceous, 7-12cm long, 2-3.5cm broad, narrowly oblong, the

apex blunt, slightly notched. Inflorescence from the leafless stems of the previous year;

peduncle 5-7.5cm long, erect, bearing several tubular membranous oblong sheaths; raceme

two or three times as long as the peduncle, horizontal, bearing from four to six rather distant

flowers; floral bracts membranous, oblong, sub-acute, shorter than the slender pedicelled

ovary. Flowers yellow, 5-7.5cm in diameter. Sepals oblong, sub-acute. Petals broadly ovate,

sub-acute. Lip narrowed and convolute in its lower part, the anterior part extended, concave,

orbicular, its margins sub-fimbriate near the base, undulate near the apex, having a large

purple blotch near its centre and its edges being of a paler yellow than the rest of the flower;

the upper surface tomentose. Column and foot short, the later with a nectar near the base.

Flowering time: April-June.

18. DendrobiumdenudansD. Don



Diagnostic characters: Stems terete, sub-erect, many-leaved, the lower leaves sometimes

early deciduous, 15-25cm long. Leaves 5-10cm long, 1-2.5cm broad, narrowly oblong,

acute, sometimes obliquely notched, not narrowed to the sheathing base. Inflorescence leaf-

opposed racemes, slender, decurved, longer than the leaves, many flowered; floral bracts

minute. Flowers 1.5-2cm long, white. Sepals sub-equal, not wide spreading, linear,


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acuminate, falcate. Petals similar to the sepals, but smaller. Lip with a band of radiating red

lines round its crisped or serrate edges, much shorter than sepals, decurved from the base,

the lower part sub-quadrate with two long narrow laciniate side lobes; the mid-lobes strongly

recurved, serrate, crisped; the disc with an obscurely 3-lined smooth surface with a

triangular apex ending at the mid-lobe. Column long, the margin of the clinandrium

denticulate; foot or the column red, curved, concave, hispid near its extremity. Floweringtime: April-September.

19. DendrobiumeriiflorumGriffith

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Thailand and Malaya. It

occurs as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east, central and

western Nepal at 1500-2100m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems erect, many-leaved, tapering from base to apex, 7.5-15cm

long, about 1cm thick at the base. Leaves 3.5-6cm long, 0.5-1cm broad, linear, the apex

blunt, oblique, sometimes notched. Inflorescence numerous, leaf-opposed axillary racemes,

slightly longer than the leaves, many-flowered, nodding; floral bracts lanceolate, minute,

much shorter than the stalked ovary. Flowers 1cm across and about 1.5cm long, greenish-

white. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, acuminate; lateral sepals larger, falcate, with broad bases,

spreading only slightly. Petals linear, acute, lying parallel above the column. Lip greenish-

white, slightly spotted with dull purple, shorter than the sepals, curved from the narrow base,

sessile, broadly ovate when spread out, concave, the side lobes narrow, elongate, pectinate-

serrate; the mid-lobe shorter than the side lobes, acute, much recurved, undulate, a mesial

crest running along the disc from its base to the insertion of the mid-lobe. Column slightly

spotted with dull purple, having its foot at a right angle. Flowering time: September-October.

20. DendrobiumheterocarpumWall. ex Lindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,

Indonesia and Philippines. It occurs as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical region of central

and western Nepal at 1000-1400m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems erect, ribbed, sheathing, 20-45cm long. Leaves 7.5-12cm

long, 1.5-2.5cm broad, narrowly oblong, sub-acute. Inflorescence 1-3 flowered, on a very

short peduncle from the leafless stems; floral bracts broad, obtuse, convolute, much shorter

than the stalked ovary. Flowers white often tinged with green, 5-6cm across. Sepals sub-

equal, the dorsal oblong, sub-acute; the lateral pair lanceolate. Lip yellow or white, with a

yellow disc and many purple radiating lines, longer than the lateral sepals, acute, decurved,

the edges undulate, the sides of the base somewhat convolute, the disc pubescent. Column

short, broad above the foot, tapering, excavated and with a raised line down the center;

mentum short, conical, obtuse. Flowering time: April-May.


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21. DendrobiumlongicornuWall. ex Lindley

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, China and Myanmar. It occurs

as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of Nepal at 1300-2900m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems tufted, minutely sulcate, 15-30cm long, somewhat zigzag,

with coarse deciduous black hairs on the sheaths. Leaves deciduous, 4-7cm long, 0.5-1.5cm

broad, linear, obliquely acute. Inflorescences borne on leafy stems, 1-3 flowered, sub-apical;

floral bracts ovate, acute, hairy, concave, 1cm long. Flowers waxy, white, 4-5cm long,

fragrant. Dorsal sepal ovate, acute; lateral sepals ovate-triangular. Petals lanceolate or

ovate, acute. Lip white streaked orange and edged yellow, 3-lobed, rhombic, with a broad

ridge running along its centre from the base to the apex, dividing near the apex into 3 or 4

short branches, side lobes rounded, boldly nerved and with broad erose apices, the mid-lobe

small, sub-orbicular, fimbriate. Column short; mentum long, attenuate, keeled above, 2-3cm

long. Flowering time: September-November.

22. EpigeneiumamplumLindley


the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east, central and western Nepal at 1300-2100m.

Diagnostic characters: Rhizome pendulous, 0.5cm thick, woody, sheathed, bearing at

distances of 10-12.5cm, ellipsoidal pseudo-bulbs which are 2.5-5cm long and half covered

by large scarious sheaths. Leaves two, 10-15cm long, 3.5-5cm broad, oblong, acute, shortly

petioled; petiole 1-2.5cm. Floral bracts at the base of the stalked ovary, large, loose,

scarious. Flowers pale greenish-brown, profusely spotted and blotched with darker brown, 8-

9cm across. Sepals lanceolate with broad bases, acuminate, the lateral pair slightly falcate.

Petals linear, wide-spreading like sepals. Lip articulate, mobile, 3-lobed; side lobes short,

rounded; mid-lobe rhomboid, sub-acute, entire, with three parallel mesial ridges and strong

branching nerves, dark purple with bronze edges; the space between the side lobes with

three lamellae, outer two having an erect tooth at their bases; the middle one shorter and

toothless. Column straight; its foot at a right angle to itself, with thickened sides and a

nectar-secreting depression just above the junction with the lip, spotted with purple.

Flowering time: September-November.

23. Gastrochiluscalceolaris(Smith) D. Don

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and Malaysia. It

occurs as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions in Nepal at 900-

2300m.

Diagnostic characters: Stem short, pendulous. Leaves 10-25cm long, 1.5-2.5cm broad,

narrowly oblong, apex unequally bifid, the base slightly narrowed and jointed to the short


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wide sheath. Racemes corymbose, many-flowered, shorter than the leaves, peduncle with

several short sheaths; floral bracts broad, blunt. Flowers 1.5cm across, crowded, pale green

with large roundish brown markings. Sepals unequal, spreading, the dorsal oblong; the

lateral pair oblong, falcate. Petals oblong, slightly shorter than the sepals. Lip adnate to the

lower half of the column; the base forming a wide short sac, nearly parallel with and about

half as long as the ovary, sac bright yellow with brownish red markings; side lobes absent,the mid lobe at right angle to the sac, semi-circular, white, except the smooth yellow

speckled pad at its base, margin and the whole of its upper surface, except a triangular pad

at the base, covered with white hair-like papillae. Column short, thick, reddish. Flowering

time: February-March.

24. Herminiumlanceum(Thunb. ex Swartz) J. Vuijk

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,

Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Japan. It occurs as a terrestrial herb from the sub-tropical to

sub-alpine regions from east, central and western Nepal at 1100-3500m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems 25-75cm high; tubers small, oblong. Stem clothed in its

lower part with tubular acute sheaths. Leaves two or three, linear, acuminate, and not

narrowed to the long sheath. Spike cylindrical, narrow, 6.5-25cm long, many flowered; stem

the leaves short, usually bearing a linear acuminate bract; floral bracts linear, acuminate,

shorter than the ovary. Flowers about 0.7cm long, crowded, green. Sepals sub-equal,

oblong, obtuse, the dorsal connivent with the petals to form a hood over the column, the

lateral pair spreading. Petals as long as the sepals, narrowly linear. Lip much longer than the

sepals, deflexed from the base, oblong in general outline; the lower half minutely auriculate

and with a small concavity at the base; the anterior half trifit at the apex, the mid-lobe short;the side lobes long, filiform, curved. Flowering time: July-September.

25. Kingidiumtaenialis(Lindley) P. F. Hunt

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Myanmar. It occurs as an

epiphytic herb or sometimes on the mossy rock in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of

east, central and western Nepal at 1500-2300m.

Diagnostic characters: Roots numerous, long and flat, forming large tufts. Leaves few,

pendulous, often solitary, sometimes absent, 7.5-12.5cm long, 1.5-2cm broad, narrowly

elliptic, acute, tapering to the sessile base. Racemes longer than the leaves, pendulous, 6-8

flowered; floral bracts broadly triangular, minute. Flowers pale purple, 2cm across. Sepals

unequal, blunt; the dorsal oblong, slightly oblanceolate; the lateral pair broader, elliptic, blunt.

Petals obovate, blunt, shorter than the sepals. Lip adnate to the foot of the column, shorter

than the petals, dark purple, dark purple; hypochile produced below into a stout sub-cylindric

spur and sending upward two long narrow falcate backward pointing lobes; the epichile

spathulate, entire, attached to the hypochile near its base, running parallel to it for part of its


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length and then curving forwards, its upper surface with a forked appendage. Column long,

narrowly winged, dilated towards the foot. Flowering time: April-June.

26. OberoniaacaulisW. Griffith

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

and West China. It occurs as an epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of

east, central and western Nepal at 600-2100m.

Diagnostic characters: Stems short, slightly tufted. Leaves 2-20cm long and 0.5-1.5cm

broad, ensiform, acuminate, falcate, unequal in size. Inflorescence longer than the leaves,

slender, decurved, densely-flowered with the flowers borne more or less in whorls; its

peduncle terete, rather thickly clothed with slightly spreading linear bracts; the rachis of the

raceme not thicker than the peduncle but several times as long; floral bract lanceolate,

acuminate, coarsely erose. Flowers light brown, 0.2cm long, numerous, more or less

whorled. Sepals ovate, entire. Petals oblong, entire, truncate, spreading on the ovary. Lip

longer than the sepals and petals; side lobes broadly oblong, sub-crenulate, blunt, sub-

divergent; mid-lobe large, deeply cleft into two broadly oblong blunt lobules separated from

each other by a triangular blunt; the upper surface of the lip with a few irregularly scattered

watery blisters ultimately changing into scales and also with a small shallow depression at

the base just under the column. Flowering time: September-December.

27. Pleionehookeriana(Lindley) B. S. Williams


epiphytic herb or terrestrial in the temperate and sub-alpine regions from east to western

Nepal at 2200-3700m.

Diagnostic characters: Pseudo-bulbs caespitose, oval, with a few lax sheaths, smooth, 2-

2.5cm long. Leaf solitary, proceeding from the base of the adult pseudo-bulb, 5-6cm long

and 1-2cm broad, narrowly elliptic, acute, tapering to the petiole; petiole 2-3cm long,

enclosed in tubular imbricate sheaths. Peduncle enveloped in the same sheaths as the base

of the undeveloped leaf; floral bracts about as long as the stalked ovary, broadly obovate,

obtuse, convolute, persistent. Flowers solitary, 5cm across, white flushed with violet. Sepals

spreading sub-equal in length, elliptic, blunt, the dorsal narrower than the lateral pair. Petals

spreading, as long as the sepals, oblanceolate, obtuse. Lip white with a large spot of yellow

with dull reddish-mottings, cordate at the base, broad and entire in its posterior half,

narrowed and minutely erose in its anterior, the apex retuse, the disc with 5-7 slender ciliate

ridges from the base nearly to the apex. Column long, curved, broadly winged in its upper

half. Flowering time: May-June.


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28. Rhynchostylisretusa(L.) Blume

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Myanmar, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia,

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines. It occurs as an epiphytic herb in the tropical

and sub-tropical regions of east to western Nepal at 300-1800m.

Diagnostic characters: Stem stout, 10-20cm long, clothed in the sheaths of decayed

leaves. Leaves curved, fleshy, 15-50cm long, 1.5-5cm broad, ligulate, deeply channelled,

keeled, retuse at apex. Inflorescence pendulous, racemose, densely many-flowered,

cylindric, 10-45cm long. Flowers white, spotted with pink or violet, 1-1.8cm across. Dorsal

sepal oblong, acute; lateral sepals broadly ovate, obtuse. Petals elliptic, obtuse. Lip

concave, adnate to the short foot of the column; entire at the apex, purple above, white at

base; disc flat; spur saccate, longer than the limb of the lip, pale mauve. Column with an

indistinct foot. Flowering time: May-July.

29. Satyrium nepalenseD. Don

Habitat and distribution: Distributed in Nepal, India, Pakistan and Southwest China. It

occurs as terrestrial herb in open grassy slopes of sub-tropical to sub-alpine regions of east

to western Nepal at 1500-4000m.

Diagnostic characters: Stem erect, 50-75cm long. Leaves narrow-elliptic with sheathing

bases, 10-25cm. Flowers pink, fragrant, in a dense terminal spike and with reflexed bracts

tinged pink and much longer than the flowers. Flowers 1-1.5cm across, in a spike 2.5-15cm

long; lip erect projecting upwards, hood-shaped, curved and with two down projecting spurs;

petals recurved, smaller than the spreading sepals. Flowering time: July-September.

30. Spiranthessinensis(Pers.) Ames /S. australis(R. Br.) Lindley

Habitat and Distribution: Distributed in Nepal, Afghanistan, China, India, S E Asia and

Australia. It is one of the widest ranging species ranging from tropics to alpine regions of

Nepal at 100-4500m in open slopes and cultivated areas.

Diagnostic characters: Leaves 4-5, linear-lanceolate, 2-6cm. Flowers very small, pink or

sometimes white, arranged spirally in a slender but dense spikes 8-15cm long, and borne on

a hairy stem. Flowers 3-4mm long, hooded and with spreading lateral sepals; lip oblong, the

apical part with crisped margin and dilated recurved tip. Spur absent; flowering stem 15-

45cm, leafy only near the base and with sheathing bracts above. Flowering time: April-August.

31. VandacristataLindley


epiphytic herb in the sub-tropical and temperate regions of east to western parts of Nepal at

1200-2300m.


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Diagnostic characters: Stems 7.5-18cm long, stout, covered with old sheaths. Leaves

numerous, 7.5-10cm long, 1-1.5cm broad, narrowly oblong, conduplicate, truncately and

unequally bilobed at the apex, dilated towards the jointed sheathing base. Racemose equal

to the leaves, axillary, 2-5 flowered; floral bracts 0.3-0.5cm long, broadly ovate, obtuse,

membranous. Flowers pale green or yellowish, 3-5cm across. Sepals sub-equal, spreading;

dorsal sepal oblong, obtuse; lateral sepals ovate, obtuse. Petals oblong, obtuse, slightlyfalcate,olive-green, narrower than the sepals. Lip greenish-white, blotched with dark

purplish-brown, longer than the sepals, adnate to the base of the column; 3-lobed, the mid-

lobe oblong with two divaricate oblong lobules and a horn like fleshy beak pointing

downwards the apex, upper surface with dark purplish brown lines and six ridges. Spur

widely infundibuliform, half as long as the stalked ovary, its mouth with triangular erect side

lobes. Column short, white with no foot. Flowering time: March-May.

4.5 Orchids in trade and their current stock

According to the collectors and traders of orchids in Rolpa district, two species of orchids arein trade which fetch higher price (NRs. 150-200/kg) compared to others. The traded species

of orchids were identified as Dendrobiumdenudansand Dendrobiumeriiflorum.

The abundance of Dendrobiumdenudanswas found highest in Liwang VDC (15360/ha) with

the current stock of 23.424kg per ha followed by Seram VDC with the abundance of

13800/ha having current stock of 21.045kg per ha and Uwa VDC with abundance of

13150/ha and current stock of 20.053kg per ha (Table 3).

Similarly, the abundance of Dendrobium eriiflorum was found highest in Siuri VDC

(35530/ha) with the current stock of 54.183kg per ha followed by Seram VDC with the

abundance of 31450/ha having current stock of 47.961kg per ha and Jaimakasala VDC with

abundance of 26640/ha and current stock of 40.626kg per ha.

Table 3: Abundance and current stock of traded orchids

SNName of

VDCTradedspecies

Plants/

patch

Plants /hectare

Stockkg/ha

Area ofbroadleavedforest(ha)

Estimatedarea oforchid

distribution(ha)

Totalstock ofthe area(kg) **

1 Liwang D. denudans 8 15360 23.42 646.49 258.60 6057.35

2 Masina D. denudans 4 2320 3.54 325.92 130.37 461.24

3 Dubring D. denudans 3 1170 1.78 524.55 209.82 374.32

4 Dubidanda D. denudans 3 1560 2.38 249.95 99.98 237.85

5 Sakhi D. denudans 3 2430 3.70 298.83 119.53 442.27

6 Jhenam D. denudans 3 2610 3.98 353.36 141.34 562.55

7 Nuwagaun D. denudans 3 2820 4.30 1089.85 435.94 1874.54

8 Gairigaun D. denudans 5 11450 17.46 826.92 330.77 5775.54

9 Kotgaun D. denudans 4 3960 6.04 195.37 78.15 471.94

10 Khumel D. denudans 4 5880 8.97 250.3 100.12 897.78


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11 Mijhing D. eriiflorum 9 9810 14.96 232.49 93.00 1391.22

12 Jaimakasala D. eriiflorum 18 26640 40.63 303.59 121.44 4933.46

Jaimakasala D. denudans 6 9240 14.09 303.59 121.44 1711.15

13 Seram D. eriiflorum 17 31450 47.96 1185.86 474.34 22750.01

Seram D. denudans 6 13800 21.05 1185.86 474.34 9982.57

14 Uwa D. denudans 5 13150 20.05 1373.62 549.45 11018.08

15 Siuri D. eriiflorum 19 35530 54.18 324.81 129.92 7039.67

Siuri D. denudans 4 8000 12.20 324.81 129.92 1585.07

** Of the total broadleaved forest area of the surveyed VDCs, it is assumed that only 40% of the total

broadleaved forest area host orchids. Based on that assumption, total stocks of orchids were

calculated. However, total stock of orchids comprises of all size / age classes and cannot be

harvested in totality.

4.6 Uses of orchids

Orchids are mostly used for ornamental purpose and some are used for medicinal purpose.

Large numbers of native orchids of Nepal are beautiful and carry horticultural importance.The most beautiful orchid species of Nepal belong to the following genera: Aerides,

Ascocentrum, Arundina, Bulbophyllum, Calanthe, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Dendrobium,

Epigeneium, Eria, Esmeralda, Phaius, Phalaenopsis, Pleione, Rhynchostylis, Thunia,

Trudelia, Vandaand Vandopsis.

Species cultivated for ornamental purpose, include Aerides multiflora, Ascocentrum

ampullaceum, Bulbophyllum leopardinum, Calanthemasuca, C. plantaginea, C. tricarinata,

Coelogyne cristata, Cymbidium elegans, C. iridioides, Dendrobium densiflorum, D.

moschatum, D. nobile, Pleionepraecox, Rhynchostylisretusaand Vanda tessellata. Some

important medicinal orchids of Nepal are mentioned by Rajbhandari et al. (2000). They areBrachycorythis obcordata, Coelogyne flavida, Coelogyne stricta, Cymbidium aloifolium,

Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Eulophia nuda, Flickingeria macraei, Pholidota imbricata, Luisia

zeylanica and Vanda tessellata. Highly exploited orchids for medicinal purpose are

Flickingeria macraei found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and Dactylorhiza hatagirea

found in the sub-alpine and alpine regions (Bailes, 1985).

4.6.1 Medicinal uses of orchids

Some species of orchids are used for the treatment of various ailments by the communities

living in the remote parts as a primary health care. The traditional use practices of orchidsare given in Table 4.

Table 4: Traditional uses of orchids

SN Species Medicinal uses

1 Coelogyne corymbosa A paste of the pseudo-bulb is applied to the forehead

to relieve headache

2 Coelogyne cristata Juice of the pseudo-bulb is applied to boils and also


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put in wounds on the hooves of animals

3 Coelogyne flaccid A paste of pseudo-bulb is applied to forehead to treat

headache. Juice is also taken for indigestion

4 Dactylorhiza hatagirea Root is expectorant, astringent, demulcent, and

highly nutritious. Root powdered is spread over the

wounds to control bleeding. Decoction of the root isgiven in cases of stomach trouble

5 Dendrobium densiflorum Pulp of pseudo-bulb is applied to boils and pimples

6 Dendrobium longicornu Juice of the plant is used to relieve fever. Boiled root

is fed to livestock suffering from cough

7 Pleione humilis Paste of the pseudo-bulb is applied to cuts and

wounds

8 Rhynchostylis retusa Juice of the root is applied to cuts and wounds

9 Satyrium nepalense Pseudo-bulbs are boiled and eaten. In some parts,

the tender leaves are cooked as a vegetable

10 Vanda cristata A paste of the plant is applied to cuts and wounds.

Similarly, paste of the root is applied to boils and also

used for the treatment of dislocated bones

Source: Manandhar (2002)

4.7 Assessment of threat

Orchids are well known for their horticultural values and the export of wild orchids from

Nepal posed a continued threat to wild populations which have been reduced due to habitat

destruction. Since 2008, Nepal government has permitted the export of wild orchids which

were restricted before. Therefore, the over exploitation of wild orchids by local vendors for

sale to the traders/exporters has exerted serious threat to most of the sub-tropical and some

temperate epiphytic species. Furthermore, the favourable orchid habitats are heavily

encroached for the settlement and cultivation.

4.7.1 Legal and conservation gaps

The issues relating to sustainable use of orchids are:

Lack of inventory of orchid species and their abundance and distribution.

Slow process to protect and manage critical wildlife habitats.

Difficulty in identifying orchids not in flower.

Lack of awareness by developers on orchid conservation.

Habitat destruction.

Unsustainable harvesting due to lack of collection policy.

No export quota system.

Inadequate monitoring and regulatory mechanisms.


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The cost of repatriation of illegal shipments.

The need for domestic trade regulations.

4.8 Conservation strategies

Orchids fall under CITES II category which is defined as species not yet threatened but

which could become endangered if trade is not controlled. Collection and trade of orchids

does not fall under the jurisdiction of CITES or any existing legislation. However, it is

envisaged that with the development and enactment of regulations under the Endangered

Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act, illegal trade and

uncontrolled harvesting of orchids will be addressed.

4.8.1 Goals and strategic directions

Goal 1: Conserve orchid species and their habitats

a. In-situ conservation

Strategic directions

Conduct orchid survey biannually.

Establish habitat/Species management areas (equivalent to IUCN Category IV)

where the ecosystems are healthy and a number of species present are threatened

by proposed habitat alteration such as development or mining.

Rehabilitate degraded orchid habitats and promote the recovery of endangered

orchid species through the development and implementation of

management/Recovery plans.

Develop legislation for the establishment of areas to facilitate conservation of orchids

and other species especially in areas that are zoned for development such as road

construction and buildings.

b. Ex-situ conservation


Develop and review regularly, guidelines for rescue centres.

Establish at least two rescue centres to house plants illegally exported. Establish and maintain a gene bank of endangered orchid species.

Encourage the artificial propagation of orchid species from seeds and tissue culture

by commercial growers such as the granting of tax exemptions for imported materials

used in the artificial propagation of wild orchids from seeds.

Develop and institute cooperative agreements between private landowners and the

Government for the purposes of plant conservation and land restoration.


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Re-establish decimated orchid populations by cultivating and propagating in

nurseries for reintroduction.

Maintain and expand the orchid collection at the demonstration gardens.

Goal 2: Ensure sustainable use of orchids

a. Regulatory framework


Complete amendments of the Wild Life Protection Act to incorporate the protection of

endangered and endemic orchid species and establish quota restrictions on

commercial species.

A periodic review of the orchids on the protected list should be conducted for

nomenclature changes, addition or deletion of species.

Legislate the Nursery Inspection Form under the domestic trade regulations of the

Endangered Species Act.

Develop a field collection policy to prevent the over-exploitation of wild orchids and

incorporate into the domestic legislation.

Develop a registration process for commercial exporters and nurseries.

Establish and implement an allowable annual trade quota system for international

trade to cover registered and non-registered exporters.

Develop regulations governing artificial propagation of wild species of the Trade in

Endangered Species Act.

Develop exemption certificates in accordance with the Endangered Species Act for

persons trading in personal effects.

Goal 3: Promote and facilitate research and training

Training and research


Develop and institute training programs for the identification of orchid species for

District Forest Office Staff, Customs Officers, Taxonomists, Protected Areas

Rangers, Plant Quarantine Officers and other relevant persons involved in the

issuing of permits and security at airports.

Conduct and support research for artificial propagation of Nepals native orchid

species.


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Goal 4: Public education and awareness


Develop and implement a public education awareness program on the conservation

of orchids and on the relevant resolutions of CITES.

Educate developers, visitors and commercial exporters on conservation issues,

CITES resolutions, the definitions and guidelines for export, the native orchid export

list and, export procedures and permit system.

Encourage individuals to purchase orchids from commercial growers, rather than

collecting from the wild.

Provide information on the method of processing plants for export to the electronic

and print media, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Floriculture societies and

libraries.

Continue to erect posters at airports, hotels and wildlife attractions in order to

promote public awareness. Develop and disseminate an Orchid Expertise List (these persons should be able to

accurately identify orchid species, have working experience in the areas of Orchid

conservation and/or bioengineering).

Formulate and publicize a procedures manual for exporting orchids.

Continue to establish a photographic and herbarium collection of native orchid

species.


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CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Conclusion

Orchids are among the most beautiful ornamental plants and carry medicinal and

horticultural importance as well. Rolpa district is rich in orchid species resources with 36

species of both terrestrial and epiphytic orchids identified in the studied 17 VDCs of the

district. Orchid habitat hotspots and host plants were identified within the community forests

as well as government managed forests at the altitudes between 1000-2300m in humid and

moisture rich mixed broadleaved forest of the surveyed VDCs.

The assessment of the current stocks of traded orchid species revealed that the abundance

of Dendrobium denudans was found highest in Liwang VDC (15360/ha) with the current

stock of 23.424kg/ha followed by Seram VDC with the abundance of 13800/ha having

current stock of 21.045kg/ha and Uwa VDC with abundance of 13150/ha and current stock

of 20.053kg/ha.

Similarly, the abundance of Dendrobium eriiflorum was found highest in Siuri VDC

(35530/ha) with the current stock of 54.183kg/ha followed by Seram VDC with the

abundance of 31450/ha having current stock of 47.961kg/ha and Jaimakasala VDC with

abundance of 26640/ha and current stock of 40.626kg/ha.

Of the total broadleaved forest area of the surveyed VDCs, it is assumed that only 40% of

the total broadleaved forest area host orchids. Based on that assumption, total stocks of

orchids were calculated. Total stock of D. denudanswas recorded highest in Uwa VDC with

11018.08 kg followed by Seram VDC with the stock of 9982.57 kg and Liwang VDC with

total stock of 6057.35 kg.

Total stock of D. eriiflorumwas recorded highest in Seram, Siuri and Jaimakasala with the

total stock of 22750.01 kg, 7039.67 kg and 4933.46 kg respectively. However, total stock of

orchids comprises of all size / age classes and cannot be harvested in totality.

However, due to the habitat loss, forest destruction, degradation and over exploitation of

beautiful and medicinal orchids for trade has posed threats to the conservation of orchids in

the district. Conservation has not been coherent with the need of orchids. Therefore, detailed

assessment to understand the current stock and overall conservation status of orchids in the

district needs to be conducted, which is still lacking.


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5.2 Recommendation

Orchid conservation awareness should be organized in every alternate year, so that the

upcoming young generation should be made aware and educated about the importance

of their forest ecosystem.

Urgent need of plantation of suitable orchid host tree species and protection of thenaturally growing saplings of these host species.

Government should develop orchid hotspot areas as the eco-tourism promotion, so that

the local stakeholders can earn some kind of revenue from the resources.

Facilitate the local communities to propagate some viable species and market them

appropriately in order to bridge their monetary gaps with the help of the aesthetic and

other values of these beautiful orchids.

Establish and maintain a gene bank of endangered species.

Maintain and expand the orchid collection at the demonstration gardens.

Develop a field collection policy to prevent the over-exploitation of wild orchids and

Incorporate into the management plan of community forests as wells as governmentmanaged forests.

Develop and institute training programs for the identification of orchid species for District

Forest Office staff, and other relevant persons involved in the issuing of permits.

Prepare posters or yearly calendar with the photographs and description of endangered

species of orchid and distribute to community forests user groups and other

conservation groups in order to promote public awareness.


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REFERENCES

Bailes C P. 1985. Orchids in Nepal. The Conservation and Development of a Natural

Resource. Advisory Report and Recommendations. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bajracharya D, Shakya L R and Chettri M K. 1993. Unciferalanc

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Assessment of Orchids and Estimation of Current Stock of Traded Orchids in Rolpa District, Nepal

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