Gangtok, March 3: Noted orchid expert Mohan Pradhan from Sikkim has developed a new hybrid orchid christened “Seujia Kaziranga” after eight years of sustained research and careful cross-breeding.
The name carries strong symbolic resonance. “Seujia,” meaning lush green in Assamese, reflects the verdant landscape of Assam, while “Kaziranga” pays homage to Kaziranga National Park, the globally acclaimed wildlife sanctuary recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros. Dr Pradhan’s gesture is being viewed not merely as a botanical milestone but as a tribute to Assam’s ecological wealth and conservation legacy.
Orchid specialists point out that hybridising rare varieties demands precision in pollination control, years of patient observation and consistent flowering cycles before a cultivar can be stabilised and formally named. The eight-year journey behind “Seujia Kaziranga” reflects both scientific perseverance and a deep emotional connection with Assam’s biodiversity.
The development comes at a time when the state is advancing a major biodiversity initiative. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to inaugurate the Kaziranga Orchid Garden, an initiative aimed at promoting eco-tourism, strengthening conservation awareness and encouraging scientific study of native orchid species.
Assam is home to more than 300 orchid species, many endemic to the Northeast. The proposed orchid garden in Kaziranga is expected to function as a conservation hub, research platform and tourist attraction, further reinforcing Assam’s position as a centre of botanical diversity in India.
Environmentalists say the naming of “Seujia Kaziranga” symbolises the interconnected ecological identity of the Northeast, where states collaborate beyond administrative boundaries to celebrate and conserve shared natural heritage. For Assam, the orchid stands as both a scientific achievement and a cultural emblem, blending botany, identity and pride into a single bloom.
