Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Memorial Lecture: II

well-recognized hybrids already in trade. Thirdly, there is a need to take up
multiplication of appropriate indigenous specieswhich may have direct commercial
value and/or enrich germplasm. Fourthly, orchids become easily endangered on
account of deforestation, habitat –destruction, excessive collection by botanists and
over-harvesting by traders. Furthermore, felling a tree in North-Eastern India is not
destruction of one tree but also of the whole epiphytic orchid vegetation that is
carries on it.
Orchids are a very important commodity of floriculture trade which has just begun
to receive attention in India. The country is very rich in orchid flora particularly in the
North-east and south-West India, which are the two” hot-spots”. Presently, Thailand
is the largest exporter of orchids in the world. Sikkim has done creditable well and
the names of many Pradhans are associated with orchid trade. Down South, M/s.
A.V. Thomas have begun a meaningful programme in Kerala, by involving house
wives who can improve their family income. For more than 20,000 housewives, this
is an opportunity for self employment. Once the programme is in full swing, it would
mean an export earning of at least Rs. 15 to 20 crores for Kerala alone. This venture
could also help to increase tourism.
Prof. S. P. Vij (Punjab University), Dr. Foja Singh (IIHR) and Dr. H.C. Chaturvedi
(NBRI), have indeed done creditable basis and applied work on orchids, including
propagation especially of hybrids and endangered species. In view of excellent
orchid wealth in India, it is suggested that an Orchid Research and Development
Laboratory be set up somewhere in Eastern Himalaya, proferably in Sikkim.
Bamboo Research and Development Institute
Bamboo differ in their stature and species like Dendrocalamus giganteus is about
40m in height, while others are only shrubs. Bamboos grow very rapidly often 1, per
day during rainy season.
Bamboos are interwoven with the oriental culture and are put to diverse uses. As
a replacement for timber, bamboos are also used for constructional purposes,
scaffoldings, ladders, bridges aqueducts, fences, supports, boats, farts, tool handles,
cordage, tent poles, brushes, pipes, fans umbrellas, toys, kites, musical istruments,
spears, bows arrows, whole range of wicker works, chicks, mats, boxes, walking
sticks, funiture, decorative materials and objects of art. For paper pulp, bamboos
are very important source and are mixed with other species. Bamboos leaves are a
rich fodder. Tenders parts and seeds are also used as human food. On account of
its versatility, bamboo has been regarded as “Emperor among grasses”
Bamboo has a major role in our building, paper pulp and cottage industries.
However, we depend on natural supplies to meet our needs. A breakthrough in
induction of precocious flowering has been achieved at the National Chemical
Laboratory, through application of tissue culture technology (Nadgauda, et al 1990).
Bamboo has for the first time come within the purview of geneticists. It is now
possible to float a major coordinated programme on production, processing and
utilization of bamboo biomass for out industries. Bamboo needs to be cultivated on a
large scale. Out of the total world harvest of 10 million tonnes, nearly 3.2 million
tonnes are harvested in India. These grasses have the potential of becoming one of
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