A worker plants an orchid sapling at Similipal. Telegraph picture

Baripada, Aug. 14: The authorities of Similipal Tiger Reserve have decided to revive a few rare orchid species that are found in the region.

Other than growing two varieties on its own, the management also wants to procure a few from regional plant resource centre (RPRC), Bhubaneswar.

Regional chief conservator of forest Anup Kumar Nayak said: “Two species — Dendrobium regium and eria meghasaniensis — have been developed under the in-house vegetative propagation programme. The former variety is found near Chahala range and the other one isgrown in the Meshasani hill region situated in the Similipal biosphere reserve.”

“Saplings of three species of orchid, which have been developed by the regional plant resource centre through tissue culture, will be planted in the areas frequented by tourists. This will create a nice ambience for them,” he said.

The effort is to revive some of the varieties that are disappearing fast.

The region houses 94 species of orchid.