Orchid is extremely beautiful, it is considered as one of the best gifts of God to mankind. Its medicinal purpose is extraordinary and the north eastern region of the country is blessed with over a thousand variety and if proper research is carried out it is estimated that about 500 varities will be available in Manipur alone. Conserving gene fo the orchids will really help the future generation about the beautiful plants that flowered in this corner of the planet, most of which will perish in the massive conversion of earth to concrete structure. Gene conservation work has been taken up by an NGO led by Haokholet Kipgen at Hengbung, Senapati district. It is a wonder why the Horticulture department can not take up any work to make the state economy strong. Horticulture, agriculture and allied industries are really neglected and leaders are concerned about contract works only with least concern about developing economically viable industries, small and large scale.
Orchid is the backbone of economy in many countries like Thailand, Singapore. Everyone was shocked when it was reported that a kg of orchid valud around Rs 300 per kg from Manipur is purchased at China border around 15000 US dollar. It is in huge demand in most countries specially for medicinal purposes. India and Manipur governments need to wake up now from the deep slumber. Ignorance is not bliss for the people of the region who need to be guided. We are not pursuing the works we are intended for and we are assigned tasks we were not intended to do. Genome research is a must. The region has poor mineral resources but it is perishable and the mineral wealth of the rest of the country will be squandered away with time. Human need specially greed has no limits. Another aspect is the time factor, nature acts in its own pace and the resources given have to be used properly. We can do research works at work sites to discover new species only during the period it blooms specially during rainy season and the growth of the plants can not work with the pace we want. It has to take its own time and we have to find out ways in which the plants are not destroyed in the name of earning money. Researchers have sequenced the genome of bananas, the humble yellow staple food facing pests and diseases that threaten to wipe it out across the globe, in an effort to save them from imminent demise.The accomplishment opens the way for developing better banana crops that are naturally resilient against parasites and other stresses.“The banana is very important, especially for tropical and subtropical countries .“Because the future of the banana is in danger, the sequence will help to produce resistant bananas and avoid the utilization of pesticides. It will be much easier now to identify genes which are important,” D’Hont said.Bananas were first domesticated 7,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. As people migrated, and crossed their own plants with other species along the way, bananas gradually became seedless, delicious and totally sterile.Instead of multiplying through sexual reproduction, which mixes up the gene pool, bananas are cultivated through vegetative propagation, which involves simply cutting off a section of one plant to grow on its own. We should take cue from such experient.It will benefit the people and such works can be done by the government alone.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/orchid/
