New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) The floral wealth of Sikkim, with its nearly 4,500 species of flowering plants - including 500 species of rare orchids - will be on show for international markets, floriculturalists and nearly 200,000 flowers lovers at the International Flori Show 2013 Feb 23-27, 2013, near Gangtok, the capital of the northeastern state.
The show, that was instituted in 2008, will project the Himalayan state as the flower power of India, on par with the Netherlands, Australia, Taiwan and China and as an organic state, committed to protecting its fragile eco-system with green initiatives.
The flower show will seek investments and tie-ups at the international level for know-how, hybrid culture and marketing.
The spotlight of the show will be on a rare orchid variety, Cymbidium, its cultivation, growth and marketing. The orchid, first described by in 1799 by Olof Swartz, is a genus of 52 evergreen species.
Announcing the show in the capital at a crowded media conference in the Old Sikkim House, Chief Minister Kumar Pawan Chamling said: "We are only organising a natural process created by the almighty in an organised manner since March 2008. It is a historical fact that Sikkim is the youngest state of India of India (it merged with the union in 1975, 28 years after Independence). This is a landmark event that positions the state in a unique way."
Underscoring the importance of Sikkim's green missions, Chamling said the state, whichh occupies 0.05 percent of the Indian landmass, accounts for nearly 26 percent of its bio-diversity.
He said the rhododhrendron, Sikkim's state flower, had found its way to London's Buckingham Palace.
The show will be spread across the Saramsa Garden in east Sikkim, a well-landscaped expanse of 10 acres with a well-furnished convention hall, a VIP lounge and laser show facilities.
Horticulture department officials said floriculture, which was being pioneered as a economic lifeline along with tourism by Chamling's wife, an accompliahed floricultarist, employed more than 5,000 farmers in the state and uses only organic methods.
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