Living Under the Shade of “Gods’ Blooms”
The GMB proposed in 2013 the designation of Pematang Damar Forest as a conservation area for endemic forest orchids and ferns. The proposal was submitted to the local authorities, but to no avail.
The tiger orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum) blooms in the Lebung Panjang Sakat Park, Jambi Tulo Village, Maro Sebo, Muaro Jambi Regency, Thursday (11/24/2022).
Various hues of orchid species adorned Lebung Panjang Sakat Park in Muaro Jambi regency, Jambi, on Thursday (24/11/2022). Their beauty is so captivating that the “gods’ blooms”, as dubbed by the local people in reference to the beloved blooms, give no trace of the tragedy seven years ago that nearly saw the annihilation of their natural habitat, thanks to the persistent conservation efforts of a number of local youths.
Seven years ago, fire engulfed Pematang Damar Forest. The youths, who were fighting the fire, discovered a “kingdom” of orchids. They saved the orchids that grew on the ground and hung from the trees, and relocated the plants to lanzone (duku fruit) and durian farms.