Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2010:
Fencing work unable to prevent unauthorised entry is said to be posing great threat to survival of rare orchids at the Khonghampat Orchid Preservation Centre as people could easily access into the protected zone for collection of firewood often leading to cutting of trees and destroying of several orchid varieties.
It is informed that the 50 acre Centre was established in 1977 under the Wildlife Wing of the Forest and Environment Department with more than 200 rare varieties of orchid nurtured in the woods.
However, dilapidated condition of the fencing including non-repairing of crumbled section of the protected zone is said to be easily exploited by firewood collectors who are ignorant of the orchids' rarity and destroys them in their endeavour for daily sustenance.
Foot-tracks, most probably signs of frequent entries by the firewood collectors are easily visible inside the protected area where a number of orchid plants have been found trampled or plucked.
An informed source maintained that in all eight forest Department personnel, including two of Deputy Ranger rank, are posted and entrusted to look after the Centre.