70 orchid species recorded in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
Assam'sKaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, the safest home of the one-horned rhino on Earth, sports at least 70 species of orchids.
Officials of the UNESCO World Heritage Site said on Thursday (May 15, 2025) these species across 36 genera were documented during a rapid survey conducted in the 1,302 sq. km protected area. Of these 79 species, 46 are epiphytes and 24 are terrestrial.
An epiphyte is a non-parasitic plant that grows on another plant.
Sonali Ghosh, the director of the tiger reserve, said the survey was an outcome of recent efforts for systematic documentation of Kaziranga's floral and faunal assemblages. 'The survey yielded new records, especially for grasslands and woodlands,' she said.
The bulk of these orchids (39 species) was recorded from the Panbari Reserve Forest within the tiger reserve.
Terrestrial orchids, such as Eulophia dabia, Zeuxine lindleyana, and Nervilia Juliana, were found along the riverbanks in the grasslands, while others like Acanthephippium striatum and Hetaeria affinis were recorded from the dense forest floor.
Among the species endemic to India are Biermannia bimaculata, Eulophia kamarupa, and Zeuxine lindleyana. The Bulbophyllum ornatissimum, Erythrodes blumei, Eulophia kamarupa, and Zeuxine membranacea are considered rare in Assam.
The survey was led by Khyanjeet Gogoi, an orchid conservationist and two Kaziranga range officers – Bibit Dihingia of the Bagori Range and Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi of Kohora Range.
Ms Ghosh said the orchid survey was preceded by a unique conservation outreach programme focused on familiarising local students with the orchid and butterfly diversity in the Kaziranga landscape.
During the event with the students, three brochures highlighting the birds of Panbari and the butterflies and orchids of Kaziranga were released to raise awareness and appreciation of the region's rich biodiversity.
Assam's Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, said the orchid discovery has added a new layer to Kaziranga's iconic wildlife.
Kaziranga has an estimated 2,613 greater one-horned rhinoceroses, 104 tigers, 1,228 Asian elephants, 2,565 wild water buffaloes, and 1,129 eastern swamp deer. The censuses for these 'Big Five' animals were conducted between 2022 and 2024.
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1 2 Guwahati: A recent orchid survey in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve revealed significant findings, marking a shift from animal-centric to botanical research. The assessment documented 70 distinct orchid species across 36 genera, positioning it as a leading orchid conservation location in northeast India. This botanical finding augments Kaziranga's established status, previously known primarily for its wildlife diversity. The research results demonstrate the effectiveness of preservation efforts while highlighting the park's function in safeguarding both flora and fauna diversity. State environment, forest & climate change minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said in a social media post, "Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve just got even more amazing! A recent survey revealed 70 species of orchids across 36 genera — making it one of the richest orchid collections in Northeast India. This vibrant floral discovery adds a new layer to Kaziranga's already iconic wildlife. A true testament to the park's thriving biodiversity and unwavering conservation efforts!" The systematic documentation of Kaziranga's floristic and faunal assemblages produced noteworthy results. The survey team, headed by orchid conservationist Khyanjeet Gogoi and range officers Bibit Dihingia (Bagori) and Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi (Kohora), conducted a visual survey and reported new records, especially for grassland and woodland areas. The survey recorded 70 orchid species across 36 genera, comprising 46 species that are epiphytes and 24 that are terrestrial species. Notable discoveries include Acanthophippium sylhetense, Aerides odorata, Biermannia bimaculata, Bulbophyllum ornatissimum, Cleisostoma appendiculatum, Dendrobium jenkinsii, Eulophia kamarupa, Peristylus constrictus, Phalaenopsis mannii, and Zeuxine membranacea.
