Introduction

Tippi Orchid Research Centre, spread across nearly 10 hectares of flat land, is located at Tippi in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Research Centre serves as an important hub for orchid research, cultivation, micropropagation, and exploration in Northeast India. Tipi Orchid Research Centre was inaugurated in the year 1972. The campus comprises several facilities, including office buildings, orchidaria, a tissue culture laboratory, a museum, a herbarium, and well-maintained gardens. The Centre boasts of a rich collection of orchid species and scenic natural surroundings, becoming a significant attraction for botanists, researchers, nature enthusiasts, and tourists alike.

Location of Tippi Orchid Research Centre

Tippi Orchid Research Centre lies approximately 65 kilometers from Tezpur in Assam on the route towards Bomdila, the district headquarters of West Kameng. The centre is situated on the western bank of the Kameng River. It is surrounded by high hills covered with semi-evergreen tropical rainforest vegetation, creating an ideal environment for the growth and conservation of orchids.

Collection at Tippi Orchid Research Centre

The Tippi Orchid Research Centre is home to nearly 20 endangered orchid species. It has gained recognition as the “Temple of Orchids” for its remarkable efforts in orchid conservation and preservation. The centre’s renowned Orchid Glass House features an extraordinary collection of nearly 50,000 exotic orchid varieties, making it one of the most significant orchid repositories in the region. The collection includes both naturally found Himalayan orchids as well as a few local hybrid species, owing to the micropropagation and development facility of this research centre.

Some of the species of orchids found in Tipi are cattleya, dendrobium, vanda and paphiopedilum. It is the biggest orchidarium of Asia with 7500 varieties of native, rare and endangered species of orchids. 

Some of the popular types of natural orchids here are:

Vanda Orchid: Vanda is a prominent genus within the orchid family, Orchidaceae, comprising around 90 species. Renowned for their striking flowers and vibrant colors, Vanda orchids are highly valued by horticulturists. These orchids are extensively cultivated and traded in the global floral marketplace. 

Coelogyne orchids: Coelogyne is a diverse genus of orchids belonging to the Orchidaceae family, comprising approximately 600 species of sympodial epiphytes. Widely distributed across India, these orchids thrive in a variety of habitats, ranging from tropical lowland forests to montane rainforests. 

Dendrobium Devonianum Orchids: Dendrobium devonianum, commonly known as Devon's dendrobium, is a species of orchid native to the eastern Himalayan region and the northern parts of Indochina. This orchid grows as an epiphyte, thriving on the trunks and branches of trees in mountain forests. 

Slipper Orchids: Cypripedium is a genus comprising 58 species and nothospecies of hardy orchids and is one of the five genera that collectively form the subfamily of lady's slipper orchids. These distinctive orchids are best known for their unique, slipper-shaped flowers, which have earned them the common names like slipper orchids, lady's slipper orchids, and ladyslippers. 

Cymbidium orchids or Boat Orchid: Cymbidium, commonly known as the boat orchid, is a genus of evergreen flowering plants belonging to the orchid family, Orchidaceae. The orchids within this genus exhibit remarkable diversity in their growth habits and may be found as epiphytes growing on trees, lithophytes growing on rocks, terrestrial plants rooted in soil, or, in rare cases, as leafless saprophytic herbs. Most species possess pseudobulbs that help them store water and nutrients. The genus comprises approximately 55 species, along with 16 naturally occurring hybrids, many of which thrive in tropical and subtropical forests. 

Corsage Orchid: The term "corsage orchid" is most commonly associated with the Cattleya orchid, a species widely celebrated for its beauty and elegance. Often referred to as the "Queen of Orchids," Cattleya is renowned for its large, vibrant, and fragrant blooms that make it one of the most admired orchids in the world. 

Agrostophyllum Flavidum: Agrostophyllum flavidum is a species belonging to the genus Agrostophyllum, a group of orchids that comprises approximately ninety species within the orchid family. Members of this genus are primarily epiphytic in nature and are commonly found in tropical lowland forests. They typically grow on the trunks and branches of trees, where they derive support while obtaining moisture and nutrients from their surrounding environment. 

Neottia Listeroides: Neottia is a genus of orchids that includes the plants formerly classified under the genus Listera. These orchids are commonly known as twayblades, a name derived from their characteristic pair of opposite leaves located at the base of the flowering stem. The genus is naturally distributed across temperate, subarctic, and arctic regions.

Hemipilia Calcicole: Hemipilia calcicola, formerly known as Neottianthe calcicola, is a rare terrestrial orchid species that inhabits high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Its natural distribution extends across Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in India, as well as Nepal, Tibet, and parts of China. This tuberous geophyte is specially adapted to mountainous environments and is commonly found growing in alpine meadows and karst forest ecosystems. 

Some of the popular types of Local Hybrid Orchids are

Renades Arunoday

Paphiopedilum Captain Spender Clay

Paphiopedilum Niobe

Cymbidium Sessa Green Beauty

Cymbidium Toni Benton

Vanda Tippi Blue Boy

The greenhouses within the centre shelter a wide range of orchid species, creating a serene and refreshing environment for visitors. The beautifully maintained spaces provide an ideal setting for leisurely walks while offering an opportunity to closely observe the intricate beauty and diversity of these rare blooms. 

Tourist Interest in Tippi Orchid Research Centre

One of the major attractions of the Tippi Orchid Research Centre is its impressive orchid glass house. Constructed with a fiberglass roof, the structure features a surrounding display gallery along with a central pond adorned with a fountain. The glass house was inaugurated by Shri B.K. Nehru on 26 December 1972 and has since remained a prominent highlight of the centre.

The orchid glass house accommodates nearly 1,000 exotic orchids that are beautifully displayed in pots, hanging baskets, and decorative arrangements. The vibrant and unusual blooms of various species and hybrids belonging to the Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, Cattleya, and Vanda groups create a captivating sight for visitors. The rich colours, unique shapes, and striking beauty of these orchids make the glass house a visual delight.

With its lush greenery and forest-like ambiance, the Research Centre offers visitors an experience similar to that of a mini botanical garden. Owing to its tranquil surroundings and rich floral diversity, the centre remains a major attraction for nature lovers, researchers, photographers, and botany enthusiasts seeking exploration and discovery amidst nature.

Visiting Information

West Kameng district has good road connectivity with several neighboring towns in Assam, making travel to the region convenient. Regular bus services operate daily from Bomdila to important destinations such as Tezpur, Guwahati, and Itanagar. In addition, taxis and cabs on hire are readily available from Bhalukpong, which is located approximately 6 kilometers from Tippi. The nearest airports to reach this research centre are Guwahati Airport in Assam and Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar, Pasighat Airport, Tezu Airport, and Ziro Airport in Arunachal Pradesh.

The most favorable time to visit Tippi is between October and February, when the weather remains pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing. During this period, the daytime temperature generally stays around 20 degrees Celsius, creating ideal conditions for exploring the orchid centre.