Guwahati, March 3: In a landmark moment for orchid enthusiasts and conservationists, noted Sikkim orchidologist Dr. Mohan Pradhan has unveiled a new hybrid — Cymbidium Kaziranga Green — after eight years of meticulous breeding.
The striking winter-to-spring bloomer has been named in honour of Kaziranga National Park, celebrating what Pradhan described as the “pristine green oasis” of Assam.
The hybrid was unveiled during the inauguration of the Kaziranga Orchid Park, formally opened by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The park is set to showcase one of the largest collections of orchid varieties in the region.
Cymbidium Kaziranga Green stands out for its clear emerald-green petals, a bright red lip edged with a prominent white border, and tall flower spikes carrying up to 18 blooms. Each flower measures approximately 3.5 inches across, combining elegance with striking colour contrast.
Cymbidiums are often regarded as the “King of Flowers,” prized for their stately spikes and long-lasting blooms. According to Dr. Pradhan, developing a stable hybrid with the desired colour intensity and floral form required nearly a decade of patient cross-breeding and selection.
Dr. Pradhan is widely recognised as one of India’s most prolific orchid hybridisers, having created and registered the highest number of orchid hybrids from the country. An Eric Young Orchid Scholar at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden, Wisley (UK), he has spent over 30 years cultivating and hybridising orchids.
Among his notable creations are Lycaste Mahatma Gandhi, Cymbidium Namo (named in honour of the Prime Minister of India), and Cymbidium Sikkim Golden Jubilee, marking Sikkim’s 50 years of statehood. In 2021, he received the Suraj P. Vij Memorial Award from the Orchid Society of India for his significant contributions to Indian orchidology.
Beyond hybridisation, Dr. Pradhan has consistently emphasised citizen science and community participation in conservation. By popularising commercially viable orchid varieties, he has helped reduce pressure on wild populations while promoting horticultural entrepreneurship.
Built over 20 bighas, the Kaziranga Orchid Park has been developed in its first phase at an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore. The park houses and conserves more than 900 species of indigenous and exotic orchids, displayed across seven state-of-the-art glasshouses and natural landscapes. It also features a children’s garden, a 500-seat amphitheatre, a traditional cuisine restaurant, tourist accommodation facilities, and an administrative block. Designed to integrate conservation, education, recreation, and tourism, the park aims to offer visitors a holistic experience.
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