Description

The Duars is spread across the Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts of West Bengal province in India. It provides a rich biota in moderate tropical and sub-tropical climates wherein the orchidaceae are predominant. The author poured into 50 years of expertise in acting as a grower-exporter (CITES), conducted devil-daring expeditions in field trips with solo-trekking, in groups with Forest staff, jeep driving, and elephant riding, moved onto danger point, met with tigress accompanied by 3 cubs (1969); expectedly rhinoceros-bisons-elephants were seen now, and then. The years-long toilsome endeavor is a benediction of 173 orchid species in 53 genera encountered from diverse ecological niches during multiple schemes, time to time in association with 10 different Forest Division (Govt. of W.B.) In addition to collaboration with the North Bengal University (Bot.) the author discovered a new variety in the Duars (2010).

Inner cover

‘Orchid-tit’ (Chliaria othona. Hewitson) gagging blossom of Rhynchostylis retusa. (Linn) Blume.

The East Himalayan Duars, categorized by a variety of ecological niches, create a perpetual source of curiosity that ever flings challenge to intellectuals and naturalists; the rich biotic source offers prodigious scope for investigation. The orchids have been admired for their incredible diversity in flower architecture, colour combination, pollination behaviour, modes of living, etc. Like many nature lovers, the author too had been captured by the uniqueness of orchids and since 1960, had actively participated in conserving and preserving rare and endangered orchid species, and identifying various species and sub-species of orchids that had been beyond the public eye so far.

This book is a living journal of the varied types of orchids the author had witnessed through 50 years of orchid culture unveiling unknown and untold facts added in morphology, phenology, and ecology. Since this book is based on his experience and perception, quite much information on varied species might differ from earlier writers and orchidologists, due to short sighting, ignoring, or most perhaps due to evolution through centuries. Along with other conventional details, the studying features of some species’ neck-name are specifically given for orchid lovers’ delight. Every information summarised here along with the drawing, painting, and photographs is a result of the author’s ardent interest and labour, extensive and adventurous field trip, and observation of orchids in their natural habitat as well as in the arbour and executed directly out of particular live species with great care as evidence. Uncommon insect, butterfly-orchid meetings in arbour (as captured in lenses) are also given here.

Tapan Kumar Katham was born on 02 Oct 1944 in Katham Bari, Jalpaiguri district. He completed his B.A degree from. St. Joseph College (Darjeeling) under North Bengal University and chose his passion for Orchids to be his profession. Since an early age, he had an innate knack for observing the intricate beauties of nature among which the Orchids enticed him the most. Hence throughout his life, he followed his hobby and passion for discovering, culturing, nurturing, and conserving orchids. His work has led to the discovery and identification of many, and many have been saved from extinction. His contribution to the field of orchidology, though least celebrated and silently done, is worth applauding and would help many enthusiasts in the future. This ardent nature lover left his perishable human body and eternally dissipated in nature’s lap on 02 Feb 2024.

Author’s achievement :

Inborn a naturalist, orchid species addicted, and practicing Orchidologist; grower-exporter under the trade name, ‘The Blues’ Orchids’ CITES registered. Worked on Orchid projects for Baikunthapur, Jalpaigur, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Soil Conservation (N), Silviculture (N), Wildlife-II, III, N.T.F.A, Buxa Tiger Reserve (E&W) Divisions; and ex-situ orchids for P.N.H.Z. Park, N.B.W.A. Park, Arboretum cum Bio-diversity Parks at Khunia and Ghoom-Bhanjong, Takdah, Sukna, and Rajabhatkhawa. Worked for orchid-based environmental study in association with ‘Earth Watch Institute London (Europe-based)” and Forest Productivity Institute (Govt. of India). Participated in the International Orchid Festival and acquired O.S.A. Life Membership, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, and East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, North Bengal University. The first revealed habitat of ‘Lady’s Slipper’ (1994) in Duars, which formerly the B.S.I. declared (1972) as endemic to Arunachal Pradesh only in India. As a resource person, Scientists of N.R.C. (O), I.C.A.R., Govt. of India, Sikkim procured assistance in locating & collecting endemic specimens of species in Duars. Carried on orchid work-shop (2001-2017) under B.T.R. (E&W) Dvn. in N.I.C., R.V.K. when BS/FG, B.O., R.O. trainees (Jhargram, Kurseong), I.F.S. scholars (Dherdun ) and Executive Forest Officers (Bangladesh) used to come in their occasional programs; in association with N.G.O. carried on in the preceding for Homestay Resort entrepreneurs (W.B.T.D.C.)

Back cover

Dendrobium moschatum. Sw. Water colour painting by author.