Orchid Conservation in Kerala

Introduction to Orchid Conservation in Kerala

Many development projects across the world have put the habitats of plants and wildlife at risk. In Kerala, researchers were faced with the possibility of thousands of orchids losing their host trees due to road-widening projects. To address this issue, scientists asked whether these plants could be relocated to a new habitat.

A study published in the Plants journal on October 15, 2026, looked at the feasibility of saving thousands of orchid plants through a rescue relocation effort. The research was carried out by Mithun Venugopal, Pradeep N. Sukumaran, and Viswambharan Sarasan, with researchers from the KSCSTE-Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences in Kozhikode and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK.

The Risk to Orchids in Kerala

Orchids are often associated with colorful flowers and ornamental gardens, but some species grow on other plants, particularly trees, and are known as epiphytic orchids. These plants do not take nutrients from their hosts but rely on the trees for a surface to grow on, while their roots absorb moisture from their surroundings.

The Western Ghats, which extend through the state of Kerala, provide a distinctive landscape with rainfall and climatic conditions that offer habitats for numerous species. However, with road development and widening projects, roadside trees have become vulnerable to removal, putting the orchids at risk.

Understanding Epiphytic Orchids

Epiphytic orchids are a unique group of plants that have adapted to grow on other plants, such as trees. They do not harm their hosts and instead use them for support and shelter. These orchids are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and even urban areas.

Relocating the Orchids

The researchers rescued 27,324 mature orchids, belonging to 21 species, from trees that had already been felled or were scheduled to be removed during road-widening work. These plants were subsequently relocated to three sites in Kozhikode: Sarovaram Bio Park, Malabar Botanical Garden, and Kappad Beach.

The three locations selected for the rescued orchids offered different conditions. Sarovaram Bio Park is an urban wetland with mangrove cover, Malabar Botanical Garden has a mixture of shaded and marshy areas, while Kappad Beach is an exposed coastal landscape with stronger winds, sunlight, and air laden with salt.

Results of the Relocation Effort

The findings, assessed over a period of 12 to 24 months, were encouraging. Of the 27,324 orchids relocated, 19,511 survived, accounting for 71.4% of the plants. More interestingly, the effort did not merely keep them alive; researchers found that 5,224 of the surviving orchids had flowered, while 1,934 went on to produce seed capsules.

The results varied across the three sites. Sarovaram Bio Park recorded the highest survival rate, with 87.7% of the relocated orchids surviving there. At Malabar Botanical Garden, the survival rate stood at 47.3%, while Kappad Beach recorded 28.7%.

Conservation Beyond the Plants

The researchers also wanted visitors to become more familiar with the plants growing around them, particularly species that might otherwise go unnoticed. At Sarovaram Bio Park, 10 selected orchid species were provided with QR-code labels, allowing visitors to scan them and learn more about the plants.

Over two years, these labels generated 126,251 scans. To their surprise, even orchids with smaller and far less conspicuous flowers gained traction. The researchers also found that root growth was an important indicator of how well the relocated orchids were performing.

• The relocation effort achieved a 71.4% survival rate for the orchids.
• 5,224 of the surviving orchids had flowered, while 1,934 went on to produce seed capsules.
• The researchers relocated 6,126 plants belonging to 12 regionally endemic species, of which 3,368 survived.

Implications for Conservation Efforts in India

The study has significant implications for conservation efforts in India, particularly in the Western Ghats region. The success of the relocation effort demonstrates that it is possible to save thousands of orchids from destruction and provides a new approach to conservation.

The Western Ghats are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and the region is considered a biodiversity hotspot. However, the region is facing numerous threats, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change.

Expert Perspective

According to experts, the study highlights the importance of innovative conservation strategies. The relocation of orchids to new habitats is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution.

The study also underscores the need for long-term monitoring and evaluation of conservation efforts. The researchers caution that producing flowers and seed capsules does not necessarily mean that a new population will be able to sustain itself.

Conclusion

The study has provided insight into the possibilities of exploring more dynamic approaches to nature conservation. While the results are encouraging, the researchers emphasize the need for continued monitoring and evaluation to ensure the long-term success of the relocation effort.

The conservation of orchids and other plant species is crucial for maintaining the health and biodiversity of ecosystems. The study demonstrates that with careful planning and execution, it is possible to save thousands of plants from destruction and provides a new approach to conservation.