Hon’ble President of India Visits Ridge Park Orchidarium, Gangtok

26 May 2026, Gangtok

The Hon’ble Madam President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, visited the Swarna Jayanti Maitreya Manjari Orchidarium today, highlighting Sikkim’s rich floral heritage and the State’s continued commitment towards biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism and sustainable development.

The Orchidarium, developed under the Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim, with technical consultancy support from ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Sikkim houses a remarkable collection of rare and indigenous orchid species representing the ecological richness of the Eastern Himalayas.

Dr. S. P. Das, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, briefed the Hon’ble President on orchid diversity, the genesis and significance of orchids in India, conservation initiatives undertaken by the institute and the live orchid displays housed at the Orchidarium. He also highlighted the rich orchid wealth of Sikkim, which is home to nearly 560 orchid species and elaborated on the institute’s efforts towards orchid conservation & sustainable utilization.

A major highlight of the visit was the display of Cymbidium Namo, an orchid hybrid named in honour of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.  The Orchidarium showcases both native and exotic orchid species, reflecting Sikkim’s extraordinary biodiversity and ongoing commitment towards ecological conservation and sustainable tourism development. Housing a wide variety of rare and indigenous orchids, the facility serves as an important centre for conservation awareness, eco-tourism promotion and preservation of the State’s natural heritage.

During the visit, the Hon’ble President was accompanied by Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Om Prakash Mathur, Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, Minister for Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies, Govt. of Sikkim, Shri Bhoj Raj Rai, Chief Secretary Shri R. Telang, Commissioner-cum-Secretary for Urban Development Department Shri Jitendra Singh Raje, Mayor Ms. Tshering Palden Bhutia, senior officials of the State Government and members of the Ridge Park Management team.

The Hon’ble President appreciated the Orchidarium’s role in preserving rare and indigenous orchid species and promoting public awareness on biodiversity conservation.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Sikkim)