Chaithoai Marma Takes Initiative to Conserve Mountain Orchids

Orchid-lover Chaithoai Marma has set up an archive of extinct and wild orchids in Khagrachari. He has collected endangered species of orchids from different hills of Chittagong Hill Tracts. However, not for any commercial purpose, he has taken such an initiative to protect the lost orchid of the mountain.

He has built a sanctuary with endangered and native species of orchids collected for about five years.

Visiting the house of Chaithoai Marma in Rajyamoni Para of Khagrachhari district town, it is seen that there are about 55 species in its archives including Dendrobium lindleyi, Dendrobium pierardii, Coelogyne, Foxtail, Transparens, Acampe rigida, Paulownia tomentosa and so on.

He has collected these rare species of orchids by roaming the forests of the hills without any patronage. Instead of flower tubs, colorful orchids are being decorated with Tamarind, Mango, Jarul, Sonalu, and Jackfruit trees. Most orchids collected from the forest have been created naturally. The Hill Orchid Society was formed to protect endangered and endangered orchids.

Orchid Conservation Entrepreneur Chaithoai said that at one time orchids were found on large trees in the mountains, but today they are extinct. We have been collecting different species of orchids from different parts of the hills for five years so that our native orchids are not lost. Orchids collected from different trees have been created to give the orchids a wild or natural environment.

He added that at one time there were about 200 species of native orchids in Bangladesh. The orchid bulbs were used by indigenous physicians to make various incurable medicines. At present these orchids are on the verge of extinction due to indiscriminate deforestation and smuggling of orchids.

Praloy Bappi and Akhter Hossain, who came to see the orchids, said that there are 140-150 species of wild orchids in our country. This is a very commendable initiative in protecting endangered orchids. Such an initiative would encourage many to save the lost wild orchids in the mountains.

Sabuj Chakma, the founder of Plantation for Nature, said the orchids are attractive in color and variety. Most orchids bloom from February to May. These orchids of the parasitic class were usually found on various large trees, including forest Banyan or Jarul. These orchids are becoming extinct due to the destruction of natural forests in the mountains.

However, he also praised the initiative of Chaithoai Marma in protecting orchids.