2,700 orchid species found in Papua

MANOKWARI, West Irian Jaya: Researchers from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have discovered some 2,770 species of orchid in the Arfak conservation park in Manokwari regency, West Irian Jaya province.

According to the FAO report, the most beautiful orchid was the Flame of Irian (Mucuna Novaeguinea), the rarest species in the world and which can only be found in Manokwari regency.

In the report, the FAO asked the government to protect the orchids from poachers. The United Nations agency said crew members of foreign-flagged ships that stopped in Manokwari often took the orchids for commercial purposes. The Arfak nature preserve consists of 63,750 hectares and is located 2,940 meters above sea level. -- Antara