In a bid to conserve the much-threatened orchid species of flowers found in the Himalayan region in India and to check the illegal trade of the protected orchid species, a new identification poster was released on Wednesday to help strengthen wildlife law enforcement. This new identification poster will also create awareness about orchids among people.
According to World Wild Fund WWF for Nature (WWF) India, India's orchids are under pressure from illicit harvesting and exploitation for illegal trade. Of the vast diversity of 1,256 orchid species recorded in India, 307 are endemic to our country, and only 11 species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Export of orchid species specified under the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, CITES (Appendix I), and in the Export-Import (EXIM) Policy of India is prohibited.
Environmental experts have been calling for the protection of orchids in the country. They have pointed out time and again that orchids are under serious threat.
Source: www.newsclick.in