Orchid Diversity: Conservation and Utilization

The orchids are highly diverse, habitat specific and actively evolving plants, known for their beautiful and long-lasting flowers. They are amenable to variety improvement and have added significantly to the growth of international trade in cut flowers and potted plants. The orchids are cultivated as a cash crop in several countries. Many orchids are valuable herbs, used to cure a variety of fertility and virility related problems; their importance in treating nervous, cardiac, rheumatic, dermal, respiratory, and digestive disorders is also well documented. In India, the orchids are represented by over 1,300 species, but their commercial cultivation is still in its infancy due mainly to non-availability of proper planting material and cultivation procedures. Progressive loss of orchid diversity due to unregulated collection and habitat destruction pressures has been an added constraint. This paper briefly discusses some possibilities for sustainable development (conservation, propagation, value addition) of Indian orchids for community benefit, using both the conventional and molecular techniques.