Loharghat (Kamrup): Hundreds of rare and exotic orchid varieties have been destroyed under the bulldozer wheels when Rabha tribes oversee that they cannot speak the destruction of biodiversity on behalf of development in this eco-sensitive tribal zone.
Hundreds of trees were cut down to improve road connectivity under the ambitious ASOM scheme of the state government earlier this month.
But in the stretch of 10 km from Loharghat to Maduki, leading to the Lake Chandubi tourist hotspot, more than trees, the blatant destruction of orchids has attracted the attention of nature lovers.
Rengkan Rengkan, an organization for nature and avians conservation, secretly gathering orchids that have fallen on the ground, while invaluable logs are reported to be traded by contractors who have won an offer to expand the road, which is expected to reduce travel time from Mirza to natural lake Beautiful at Rabha Hasong’s autonomous council at the foot of MeMhalaya Hill, surrounded by Assam and Meghalaya.
“We can replant only about 30-40% orchids.
For them, they are just rubbish,” said Matiram Rabha, Rengkoka’s head, and award-winning bamboo craftsmen from the area.
Some valued orchid varieties obtained include Eria Lasiopetala, Bulbophyllum Crassipes, Dendrobium Moscatum, Pinalia Bracescens and Pinalia Bracescens.
Coelogyne Trinervis, Pelatantheria Insecreta and Multiflora Aerides are rarely found, said Orchid Conservationist Ankur Raj Gogoi.
“The loss cannot be repaired.
The Forestry Department should describe the plan to save orchids.
Aerides Multiflora grew mostly on large roadside trees and endemic to the lower Assam.
These varieties have been damaged a lot,” Gogoi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of Asom Mala before the last poll.
The state highway, road and major district roads with economic interests are being increased under the project.
Ringkoka’s effort to save several species initially attracted youth from Mirza and Dudhnoi in the Toawepara district when the project went down below this month.
The Forestry Department woke up late and tried to save some orchids, who received new rent in a recent rain spell that destroyed the area.
“After I joined the Loharghat Distance Office recently, we planted some orchids in Rani Social Forestry, Social Forestry Boko and Office Campus at the Loharghat Forest Office.
We gave some Rabha students to replant this around the lake,” said Range Shamim Akhter Officer.
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The sources of the forest department add that the destruction of biodiversity can continue until the government revises policies that allow private contractors to fall trees.
Previously, trees would be accessed by the Ministry of Forestry without harming biodiversity.
“But since the new regulations emerged, contractors won online offers and confused trees and allegedly destroying biodiversity,” said the source.
Range Officer added that the decision was taken to spread forest officials in the area to monitor tree logging exercises.
Anggrek was destroyed in the repair of tribal zone roads
