To prevent the extinction of Myanmar native orchids, the cultivation of Myanmar orchids has been protected and kept privately in a special place, said Daw Thanda Myint, deputy staff officer of Doekwin Orchid yard in PyinOoLwin Township.
Myanmar is the home of more than 800 different species of orchids. Currently, the Doekwin Orchid yard has conserved about 70 orchid species and 10 native species. But, the yard has distributed only four hybrid orchid species and five ordinary domestic species. The remaining species are only conserved without a sale. The orchids are being stolen and resold back in the black market.
“Orchid is one of the most valuable flowers. The orchids are interesting. Nowadays, people are wearing the orchid as a valuable item at the events and ceremonies. Some grow the nursery orchid plants and distribute their species. Myanmar native orchid species are now used in traditional medicine. Public awareness should be raised to strengthen control over the illegal orchid market. Conservation can’t be successful without public participation,” she described.
Hybrid orchid species such as cattleya, dendrobium and butterflies are only distributed to the domestic market. In Myanmar, dendrobium orchids are mostly found in Chin, Shan and Kachin States. The hybrid orchid species price ranges between K800 and less than K10,000 per flower pot, depending on the species in the wholesale market, it is learnt. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM
