Dhemaji: The Orchid Society of Assam (OSA), dedicated to research and conservation of wild orchids in the northeastern region, has extended its activities to several provincialised colleges of the state.
The OSA has signed separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four provincialised colleges of the state, namely Silapathar Science College (Dhemaji), Jiadhal College (Dhemaji), Tengakhat College (Dibrugarh), and Tinsukia College (Tinsukia) for a joint venture. It has also tied up with the Darak Tourism and Social Welfare Foundation (DTSWF) of Arunachal Pradesh for the same purpose.
The initiative of the OSA was undertaken during its 8th Annual Conference held at the Silapathar Science College auditorium on Tuesday.
The MoU states that both parties will jointly conduct studies on the diversity of wild orchids and medicinal plants in their respective areas and work for their conservation. Moreover, they will organise seminars and workshops on orchid-related issues and submit project proposals to national and international agencies for funding.
During the conference, the society launched the second edition of its online journal titled Himalayan Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences and E-Flora of Assam and released its souvenir Aranyakeru in the presence of invited dignitaries.
The day-long conference also featured a workshop on “Orchid Propagation and Conservation,” where Botany professor and HoD of Mariani College, Bhaskar Buragohain, discussed the distribution of orchid flora in the northeastern states, including Sikkim.
He also explained the reasons behind the declining wild orchid population in the region and suggested conservation measures through nurturing them in their natural vegetation.
Among the researchers and experts, Silapathar Science College Principal Ranjeet Saikia, OSA president Jitu Gogoi, and secretary Badan Sonowal addressed the conference.
Presentations of Bihu dances, an orchid exhibition, and a demonstration of orchid propagation were some of the special attractions of the day-long event.
The OSA, with its head office at Silapathar in Assam’s Dhemaji district, has been working for the last decade, organising orchid festivals, seminars, and workshops on orchid conservation involving different sections of people from the state as well as orchid lovers from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.