India has a rich orchid heritage of Orchids and is recognized the world over as a significant producer of both wild and hybrid orchids. Over 1,600 species of orchids are found in India which constitutes almost 10 percent of the world orchid flora.

Northeast India sustains the highest concentration with about 700 species. It is a heaven for the orchidologist and Researchers. There are 550 species of orchids in Arunachal Pradesh alone - the highest number in any State. One of the rarest and endangered orchids, Blue Vanda, occurs here in Namdapha Reserved National Park.

One of the rare, endangered, curious and sought after ground orchids found in Arunachal is the Paphiopedilum species (the Venus or Lady's slipper orchids).

Asia's largest orchidarium, the Orchid Research Centre is located at Tippi in the West Kameng district. The Orchid centre on he bank of river Bharali, surrounded by evergreen forest has more than 500 species of orchids. The department of Environment & Forests has developed trekking routes for going through the sanctuary for visitors to enjoy the marvelous habitat of orchids in their pristine glory.

To promote orchid cultivation and to give awareness to the public to protect the orchids, every year, in the month of January, the Arunachal Pradesh Government organizes Orchid Festival in Itanagar

Besides of Arunachal Pradesh, a lot of Orchids are also found in the state of Meghalaya. The Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills around Shillong in the state of Meghalaya boast of 300 species of orchids. The Mawsmai and Mawmloo in Cherrapunjee contain the highest number of orchid species in the entire state. These are 'sacred forests', areas of the primary forests that are venerated and protected by the local people. Sohrarim is another forest on the way to Cherrapunjee which is paradise of Botanists. The Mawphlang forest, 24 km from Shillong can be visited to view some of the state's orchid wealth. Here epiphytic orchids can be seen on the stunted trees of Rhodendron arboreum, Quercus and Castonopsis species. Ground orchids like Anoectachilus brevilabris, the jewel orchid and Liparis pulchella can be seen. Barapani, 17 km from Shillong has an Orchidarium.

Besides the Arunachal and meghalaya, all the other adjoining states of North-east also contains various species of Orchids in their natural habitat. 182 species are found in Assam. Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur also contains some species of rare orchids.