OREANDA-NEWS. April 19, 2011. Tata Power, India’s largest integrated private power company,  unveiled Wild Orchids of Northern Western Ghats, the second in a series of photo journals that showcase the rare species of orchids that grace the floral biodiversity around its hydro power stations in Maharashtra and Belgaum.

The book is authored by Satish Pande from Ela Foundation and co-authored by Vivek Vishwasrao, horticulturist, Tata Power, along with well known conservationists Niranjan Sant and Manadar Datar, who are devoted conservationists hailing from diverse professions.

Anil Sardana, managing director, Tata Power, said, “We are pleased to be associated with such a unique initiative, and it gives us immense pride to be part of a movement for environmental conservation. The book captures not only nature's refinement and subtlety but also provokes personal sentiment of making a difference."

Added Mahesh Paranjpe, head, hydro division, Tata Power, “We are hopeful that Wild Orchids of Northern Western Ghats will not only create awareness but will also motivate people to preserve the fragile and rich natural habitat around us.”

Celebrating the world of flora and fauna that has enhanced the catchment and forest around Tata Power’s hydro power stations for almost a century now; the book is an effort to sensitise the minds of people residing and more importantly the visiting population in the region, towards the importance of conserving the ecosystem and its beautiful flora and fauna.

Salient features — Wild Orchids of Northern Western Ghats:

The book is a scientific presentation of the flora and fauna diversity in the region.

Contains common names, scientific names, habitats, key identification features, etymology and a feast of photographs that are easy to understand and read.

Contains 1,400 colour photographs, which record 99 species from the wild including 41 endemics and 44 threatened species

The authors have identified the threat to flora and fauna, and recommend the conservation measures that need to be taken.

The book is a reflection of the faunal biodiversity of the twin hill stations through the eyes of the authors.

The journey is a collection of photographs captured and compiled over a period of time in and around Tata Power's hydro generation station.

Economically priced at Rs850, Wild Orchids of the Northern Western Ghats will be available at all leading bookstalls in Mumbai and Pune in a few weeks.

Wild Orchids of Northern Western Ghats is a joint venture and the second-of-its-kind initiative by Tata Power along with Ela Foundation, Pune; their earlier association had resulted in the publishing of 'Birds of Lonavla and Khandala', which received immense appreciation.

Published by Ela Foundation, the compilation is a groundbreaking book that will bridge the gap that prevailed between research done on the flora and fauna in the northern western ghats and is a systematic and authentic presentation in the form of a pictorial guide that remained unpublished till date.

Ela Foundation, Pune, are a group of committed conservationists working in the field for more than 10 years. They have many well known publications to their credit. Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Western Ghats, and Scorpions and Spiders of Northern Western Ghats are two more projects of Tata Power and Ela Foundation.

About Tata Power's conservation efforts around its hydro power plants:

Tata Power has six lakes in this important hotspot, generating clean hydro power. The lake catchments are well protected and have for the last 100 years provided shelter to this beautiful fauna.

Driving afforestation programmes, pisciculture within their catchments areas, and planting saplings mainly focused on the indigenous species has helped invite this beautiful fauna.

Tata Power’s hydro stations are also famous for mahaseer (game fish) conservation.