Lalruatkima, Minister of State for Rural Development visited the on-going construction of Mizoram Orchid centre at Maubuang Village in Aizawl district yesterday.

The Centre is constructed under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (NRuM) scheme with the project cost of Rs. 3.9 crore. Construction was started in February, 2018 and the project component includes construction of a Guest House, Staff Quarters, Conference Hall, Research Station, Laboratory with Tissue Culture Chamber, Green Houses and Car Parking, the centre will be operated on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The Minister said that Mizoram has 253 species of orchids, out of which 8 species have medicinal importance and many of these orchids including  our own state flower “Senhri” (Red vanda) face extreme danger of extinction due to over-exploitation and habitat destruction. He said that the project will help in conservation of these species and will also attract researchers and lots of visitors which will in turn benefit thye village economy in some way.

The Minister later visited the on-going construction of mini sports complex at Aibawk village which was funded under NLCPR with the project cost amounting to Rs. 400 lakh. NECS started construction of the complex in 2018 and is to be completed within two years. The mini sports complex includes 100mx60m Football playground with underground drainage system, Contact Sports Centre, viewing galleries and a pavilion.