List of Famous endangered Orchids & Flowers of Arunachal Pradesh : INDIA : Knowledge Wiki

 Orchids make up one of the largest families of flowering plants. As per the current estimates there are about 20,000 orchid species found in almost all regions of the world,but their greatest diversity occurs in the tropical and sub-tropical climates where positive factors for growth - thick vegetation and high humidity prevail.

India has a rich orchid heritage and is recognized the world over as a significant
producer of both wild and hybrid orchids. Over 1,600 species of orchids are found in India which constitutes almost 10 percent of the world orchid flora. Indian orchids include much variety with proven floriculture and/or herbal traits and have reached almost all the famed botanical gardens the world over.

Northeast India sustains the highest concentration with about 700 species. There are 550 species of orchids in Arunachal Pradesh alone - the highest number in any State. One of the rarest and endangered orchids, Blue Vanda, occurs here in Namdapha Reserved National Park

In Arunachal Pradesh orchids occur naturally in diverse habitats. In the rich tropical forests of the Tirap district, clusters of beautiful blue vanda (Vanda coerulea) adorn the trees. Tipi Orchid Research Centre boasts of over 500 species of orchids. Sessa, 24 km from Tipi has an Orchid Sanctuary, which abounds in a variety of species including the white Coelogyne nitida (which grows on moss covered rocks) and the tree borne yellow, Cymbidium elegans and Dendrobium chrysanthum, the bright yellow flowers. The drive from Tipi to Sessa is equally beautiful. Along the roads can be seen species like Dendrobium gibsonii, with its clusters of beautifully formed yellow flowers with rich maroon centres and Dendrobium nobile with white and purple flowers.

Orchids Flower One of the rare, endangered, curious and sought after ground orchids found in Arunachal is the Paphiopedilum species (the Venus or Lady's slipper orchids). There are three species of the genus found in arunachal, viz; I) P. fairrieanum popularly referred to as "Lost Lady's Slipper orchids". (2) P. venustum and (3) P.spicerianum.

Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh : North East India Wiki Information : UPSC : GK

The successive river valleys of Arunachal, separated by forbidding north-south ridges, enable distinct micro-cultures to flourish in what can be very small areas. The Monpas, who have a strong affinity with the Bhutanese, occupy the valleys north of Bomdila; their largest town, Dirang, with its dzong (fort), is just before the pass at Sela. Although they practise Buddhism, focused around the great monastery of Tawang, they retain manyof their original animist-shamanist beliefs. They are easily recognized by their dress - a chuba or short cloak, made of coarse wool dyed red with madder.

The Sherdukpens live south of the Bomdila Range, in the valleys of the Tengapani, and have close affinities with their Monpa neighbours. They wear distinctive gurdams, oryak's hair skullcaps, from which jut tassel-like projections that serve as guttering - this part of Arunachal sees very heavy rainfall. Traditionally Sherdukpen men wear a swordin a scabbard tucked into their waist or on a strap. Although they have a reverence for lama-ism, their religious beliefs are a curious blend of Buddhism and shamanism, with jijis, or priests, practicing witchcraft to counteract malevolent spirits

Further southeast are the Akas, literally "painted", who paint their faces with resin and charcoal. East of Kameng, the menfolk of the sturdy hill people known as the Daflas wear a distinctive wicker helmet surmounted by the red-dyed beak of a hornbill. Protruding in front of their foreheads is a bun of plaited hair called podum, skewered horizontally witha large brass pin. The Daflas trace their descent from Abo Teni, a mythical primeval man,as do the neighbouring Apa Tanis, who thanks to the work of European anthropologists are
the best known of all the tribal groups. Occupying a 26-square-kilometre stretch of hanging valley in the central region of Subansiri, the Apa Tanis are experts at terraced rice cultivation. They too wear a hat and podum on their foreheads but do not sport the distinguishing yellow ribbon of the Daflas; both men and women tattoo their faces.