The largest orchid park in India about 850 varieties found in North East India with 402 varieties found only in Assam. Orchids are the greatest pride of North East India’s landscape and biodiversity. Orchids are the greatest pride of North East India’s landscape and biodiversity. Orchids are the symbol of our natural heritage and our pristine natural health. The Kaziranga Orchid National Park is an abode of more than 600 species of wild orchids collected from all across the North East India region. This park is an attempt to preserve the biodiversity we seem to be losing. Assam’s own state flower is Kapon (Rhychostylisretura) is a popular orchid.
Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity park a noble initiative by Krishak Muti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) led by Akhil Gogoi chairman of the orchid park consists of a green house, photo gallery, product outlet corner, plant garden, fruits garden, flowers, rock garden, rice museum, fish pond, nature walk, and a place for folk cultural dance practices. A wilderness outlook, riverine villages , a preserved culture.
Is it an all learning trip or a fun trip? Before even selecting the options for the school trip, from my experience as a school academic coordinator it is important you zero down on the goals to be achieved from the trip. This also includes considering the age group of the kids, the learning that should be a part of the trip. I have seen some school tips are designed purely towards entertainment and fun for which theme parks may be the right option. However, some school trips are designed to introduce kids to off- beat activities and work upon their personality development, for which holistic destinations like Kaziranga Botanical Park are the best option.
The first thing we came across is a big green house full of colourful blooming orchids along with some selected hybrid- varieties, it is approx. 12 km distance from Kohora chariali (near Central Range Kaziranga), it was established in 2015. There are some local youth which have been employed there to tend to and guide the visitors. Rest of the plot is full of other type of herbs, plants and flowers. There were also a photo gallery of orchids with names written, I learnt the name of one particular orchid that has been maintained for decades by my parents back at home in Nagaland. We never knew its name but now we do. It is Phaius Tancarvilleas, it blooms in spring every year.
The outlet comprised of many local medicine’s prepared naturally from plants and flowers. Various drinks and pickles are also available in the outlet which is prepared fresh and natural. There are selected indigenous species preserved them in two ponds in the park. A boating facility for leisure and entertainment is also available and you get to try out the local boat with paddle with your hands on. You will also find beautiful crafted rocks which gives your trips a hit by getting the perfect shots on the hills. It was a memorable experience for everyone.
Who doesn’t love nature? The walk through the splendid natural pathways within the park is the cherished moment one can do. The natural beauty to its best and silence can be sitting back and enjoyed. There is also a provision where you will find Assamese ethnic local food and performance by folk artists. These art forms are regular evening, every object inside this park worth it.
A traditional clothes weaving area, where the local people hand weave the clothes. The old traditional dheki, rice crops museum, threshing, to separate rice grains from their outer husks, while leaving the bran layer, thus producing brown rice is also kept so that the heritage doesn’t get lost with the invent of modern technologies.
The main motives of this naturally preserved is not only about orchids but intend to collect all sorts of plant species and educate visitors about local farming practices. If you visit, it is located slightly ahead of the main entry point to Kaziranga at Kohora. In case, if you do not find it, just ask the local people one thing, they charged INR 500/- to anyone with a DSLR apart from the entry fee. One should definitely go and get glimpse of this beautiful yet naturally preserved heritage. In this 21st century, we the generation has not known about the forefather’s way of cultivation method and practices as we are living in advance technology it gives us inspiration. You will be able to see the rice crops museum where there are 200 variety of rice collected by the team, it promote the farmers to encouraged, and inspired to cultivate in their farms. I, Chubanaro (academic coordinator) would like to personally thank the Team Seven Sister Tours & Travel for provided good service.
Content Writer- Wapangla Ozukum.