Conservation of Carnivorous Plants in Odisha: A Key Challenge for the Policy Makers

The plant world is blessed with some unique and peculiar groups of botanically curious plants growing un-noticed in special habitats and the identity of these lesser-studied biological entities is poorly known to the society. One such lesser-known plant groups are the mysterious carnivorous plants, which are popular and non-conventional for its insectivorous nature as compared to rest of the angiosperms. About 700 species of such category of plants are reported until date belonging to 15 genera and 9 families are reported globally. India is an abode for 44 carnivorous plant species coming under 5 genera and 3 families. Globally these plants are more threatened as compared to the rest of angiosperms due to anthropogenic and climatic factors. Lack of awareness among the stakeholders on these plants is the main cause that contributes to the dwindling populations of these plants. Odisha harbours 17 species of carnivorous plants under 2 genera and 2 families that includes 3 species of Drosera and 14 species of Utricularia, which mostly inhibits in special habitats with nutrient poor soil like laterite rocky plateaus, meadows/grasslands, fresh water wetlands and wastelands—most of which are considered as less significant sites for biodiversity conservation. Drosera peltata, Utricularia praeterita and Utricularia uliginosa can be considered as three threatened carnivorous plants of Odisha following the guidelines of IUCN. In order to protect and conserve these peculiar species in Odisha it is imperative to locate, demarcate and catalogue their distribution centers, develop horticultural techniques and promote their ex-situ conservation. The chapter discusses about the new methodologies and protocols which needs to be placed in practice, as seed germination is very challenging in these plants due to minuteness and recalcitrant nature of seeds. Their critical habitats like rocky lateritic plateaus, meadows and wetlands need to be protected by declaring those areas as conservation reserves/heritage sites/species preservation plots.