Orchids under threat from infrastructure projects in Arunachal

PTI

Arunachal Pradesh, home to 570 species of orchids, half the number available in the country, is facing problems because of numerous hydro projects, roads, airports and other infrastructure coming up under the Prime Minister’s package.

Over 80 species of orchid, including some rare ones, have been relocated by the forest department in the same climatic zone from the project area of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri hydro power project being constructed at Gerukamukh by the CPSU major NHPC, Forest Department sources told PTI.

Earlier at least 250 species of orchids, disturbed by landslides, timber activities and infrastructure projects were taken for cultivation in nurseries and sanctuaries run by the department, the sources said.

Relocation of orchids will be required on a massive scale if international conventions and the environment laws are to be respected because of the construction of 107 hydro-projects with a total capacity of 40,000 MW for which the state government has signed MoU and MoA with several companies including some large private players, the sources said.

It is also true for the trans-Arunachal road being constructed under the PM’s package, which will run 1,800 km through the state. Several other border roads to crisscross the state have also been sanctioned.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Fauna and Flora (CITES) stipulates protection of orchids in their natural habitat and prohibits their export.

Even tourists are not allowed to disturb orchids habitats, which is is punishable under law.