Arunachal’s orchid belt: the state with 500 species wants a living garden

Arunachal Pradesh’s forests hold more than 500 species of orchid — a fifth of India’s total — and the state is building a living collection garden near Ziro to showcase them.

The garden, planned with village participation, will double as a conservation nursery for the rarest species and a research base for botanists.

Tourism officials see it as a new draw for a valley already famous for its paddy fields and festivals.