The orchids are brought to the Gene Pool in Gudalur for their “rehabilitation” and survival; the Dept. The Gene Pool area was established by the Department to conserve native biodiversity unique to the Gudalur forest division in the Nilgiris. Forest Department officials said that teams of staff from Nadugani and Pandalur ranges noticed that recent spells of rain had led to many varieties of orchids falling off the trees. The only way to protect these rare species was to bring them back to Gene Pool and assist in their survival,” said a Forest Department official from Gudalur forest division. District Forest Officer, Gudalur division, Kommu Omkaram, said that ferns and orchids are extremely sensitive to even slight variations in climate.

Source: The Hindu August 16, 2021 11:03 UTC