Buxa Tiger Reserve, with its myriads of biological diversity constitutes an unique ecological entity. The management of the biodiversity in this hotspot is highly essential in the wake of rapid loss of the diversity all over due to the degradation of natural habitats.
The Tiger Reserve encompasses both hilly tracts of outer Himalayas and the alluvial zones of dooars plains. With a very high rainfall in the area (around 4500mm/year), biodiversity encountered here is unparalleled.It is an abode of endangered flora and fauna, many of which are endemic.
The study on 'Orchids of Buxa Tiger Reserve' has revealed that there are around 145 species of Orchids in BTR belonging to 47 genera. Most of the orchids identified are epiphytic and some are ground orchids.
Present compilation of the identified species will give a deep insight into various facets of orchids in BTR. This knowledge is vital to the succinct understanding of the ecosystem and will help to formulate appropriate strategies for its conservation. The present compendium would definitely be of help to the conservationists, orchidophyles, research workers, scientists, administrators and wildlife managers.
Buxa Forest Division, one of the oldest Forest Division of the country was declared as Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) as the 15th. Tiger Reserve of the country in 1983. Situated in the north east corner of the state of West Bengal in Alipurduar District, it is nestled in between the country of Bhutan in the North and the state of Assam in the East, having uninterrupted movement of wildlife across the international and interstate boundaries. The present area of 760.81 sq. km of the Tiger Reserve includes the entire erstwhile Buxa Forest Division and some parts of the then Coochbehar Forest Division.
Buxa harbours enormous biodiversity and is the westernmost limit of the northeast biodiversity hotspot of the country. As the forest of BTR spreads from a considerable altitude in the Eastern Himalayas to the southern alluvial zones along with a very high rainfall, the forests are bestowed with enormous variety of flora and fauna. Among the unique floristic composition, the presence of about 145 species of Orchids belonging to 47 genera is a unique situation in BTR.
In order to record the available orchid composition, the study of Orchids in BTR was initiated way back in 1993 under the able guidance of Sri S. S. Bist, the then Field Director, BTR through the field works undertaken by Sri Tapan Katham, a renowned field orchidologist. Later on, the work was guided by Late Y. T. Aden, another passionate orchidologist, when he was posted as Deputy Field Director, BTR(West) Division. This resulted in the setting up of an Orchidarium in Rajabhatkhowa Nature Interpretation Centre complex, which continues to be a great attraction among the visitors.
When it was decided by the Buxa Tiger Conservation Foundation Trust to publish a set of books highlighting the glorious floral and faunal components of BTR for bringing in fore the unique Buxa ecosystem, Orchids were selected alongwith Birds and Butterflies of Buxa in the first phase. Accordingly, this book, 'Orchids of Buxa Tiger Reserve' is being published as the third one in the series after 'Butterflies of Buxa Tiger Reserve' and 'Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, which have already attracted great attention of the enthusiasts.
It is hoped that this book will also be of immense help to the PA managers, researchers, students and nature lovers and the sale proceeds will help in funding further research initiatives of the Buxa Tiger Conservation Foundation.
Orchids are among the most advanced flowering plants, showing incredible range of diversity in shape, size and colour of their flowers. They belong to the family Orchidaceae which is one of the largest family among the flowering plants. They are known to mankind since centuries due to their beautiful, attractive flowers and medicinal properties. The ancient Greeks were the first to take note of these strange plants. It was the famous Greek philosopher Theophrastus, (370-285 B.C.), who in his Enquiry into Plants first referred the group of plants having paired, testiculate tubers as Orchis. The Greeks believed such plants were good for human vitality 'Doctrine of Signature. The term 'lan' as the Orchid is called in Chinese, appeared in the oldest book on Chinese philosophy. 'Eki-Kyo' of which Confucius (551-479 B.C.) was a co-author, Later, the name was adopted by Dioscorides (1st century A.D.) in his Materia Medica where description of two orchids were given along with several species of medicinal plants. In the Indian Vedic scriptures there is a mention of the plants under the name Vanda, which has been adapted as a generic name for one of the most beautiful groups of orchids.
This book contains photographs of 70 species of Orchids out of 145 species found in Buxa Tiger Reserve. This photographs have been taken in different seasons by different botanists, Orchidologists, forest officers and NGOs,
This publication will make naturalists, tourists, researchers and photographers aware about the Orchids of Buxa.
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