Orchids in full bloom at the Kaziranga National Orchid Park in Assam

As kids, certainly one of the most enjoyable issues about making a roadtrip to our maternal grandparents’ residence, was the drive by Kaziranga National Park on the National Highway. As the Burapahar mountain vary turns into seen, we might sit up from our sluggish postures in the backseat.

At the sight of the signboard studying ‘animal corridor’, I used to be at all times hopeful of recognizing a wild animal apart from the grazing rhinos or elephants that crossed the street. Another favorite exercise was to squint attentively at the treetops at the wild orchids.

This 12 months, once I drove the 350- odd kilometres on that acquainted route, my focus was on the street reasonably than considering of enjoying ‘spot the orchid’ with my cousin and niece. Instead I made a shock cease at the Kaziranga National Orchid Park, a few kilometres from the Kaziranga National Park. This was my first go to there.

Established in 2015, it’s designed as a mini-themed village, and encompasses a pure historical past museum, rice museum, a cultural centre, a handful of handicraft retailers and a restaurant. The fundamental attraction nonetheless is the Orchid show museum.

Staggering numbers

I wasn’t anticipating a lot from the Orchid museum, however as soon as inside, I used to be pleasantly stunned. I observed the guests being shocked the second they enter the enclosed space. The museum, roughly the measurement of a corridor that may accommodate about 1,000 folks, is designed to swimsuit the progress of the orchid, the State flower of Assam and Meghalaya. The air inside the greenhouse is muggy, as orchids want humidity however the scent of the practically 700 species of orchids rising in coconut husk, tree barks, bamboo hollows and pots makes up for it.

A information explains, “There are 35,000 species of orchids in the world, of which approximately 1,314 are found in India. Interestingly, about 850 of them can be found in the Northeast. Arund 402 species are found only in Assam.”

The wild orchids listed here are collected from all throughout Northeast India. It is a riot of color — yellow, orange, purple, pink, white and purple. “The main characteristic of an orchid is that it has six petals — five identical and one modular,” explains our information and provides that together with the orchids there are different vegetation rising, to help the environment and to keep up the moisture steadiness. All these wild vegetation are collected from throughout the Northeast. There are additionally just a few cultured hybrid orchids rising in the park.

Treat with respect

As we proceeded, nonetheless in awe at the selection, a few of the flowers with their fascinating colors look unreal and we’re inspired to the touch gently. The staff inside explains the orchid species to everybody, particularly kids. “Owing to its wild nature, it is difficult to grow orchids at home. Only a few common varieties like the ground orchid/pineapple orchid, the garland orchid can be grown with proper care.”

Orchids named Joker face and Dancing Lady look like the spotlight till the information factors out the tiniest species, blooming silently in one nook. This orchid wants a magnifying glass and the flower measures 1.2 millimetres. “The scientific name for it being Taeniophyllum glandulosum. The world’s tiniest orchid, it is a leafless epiphyte (a plant that requires another object or plant for physical support),” he informs.

While at the park, don’t miss the butterfly orchid, pineapple orchid, rabbit orchid, starfish orchid, the joker face and dancing girl orchid.

The greatest time to go to Kaziranga Orchid National Park is between March and November. Entry ticket is priced at ₹250