Roughly around a third of the 1331 orchids species in India can be found in Meghalaya. Many of these can be found in abundant at Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Garo Hills, and at other wildlife reserved sanctuaries and at other 125 sacred groves within the state.
The protected area around these forests are witnessing certain habitat pressures due to their closeness to human habitations, and thus exploitation for their ornamental value and of their slow growth according Dr. C.S. Rao.
He believed at least 20 of these undisturbed forest areas should be declared “bio-type sanctuaries to conserve and protect the habitat for wild Orchids”. To further strengthen their conservation, he also suggested to maintain a Gene bank and cryo- preservation for these exotic floral plants.
