Bezera youths transform hillock into orchid garden Kabita Duarah BEZERA (KAMRUP), Nov 10 Sheer determination and the courage exuded by unemployed local youths has transformed a hillock still frequented by wild animals into a mesmerizing and high-tech orchid garden which has thousands of orchids with high commercial value blooming now. This conversion of an otherwise nondescript hillock measuring around 7 bigha and located at Manik Nagar village near here has become possible with support of the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and not to mention the ADO of Bezera Lakhi Dutta who keeps prodding the beneficiaries with timely guidance.
Till two years back, this hillock was avoided as it was home to wild animals. Even the owner of this hillock Shining Marak had not had the faintest idea that within a couple of years this would emerge into a centre of attraction and source of livelihood improvement.
I wanted to do something in memory of my elder brother. First I thought it best to open a school. But officials of the department of Horticulture and Food Processing, government of Assam convinced me to set up an orchid garden, said Shining Marak, who is an entrepreneur.
Once Shining and other village youths were convinced that having an orchid garden the idea was completely new to them was not an impossible task, they went ahead toiling hard and determined to set a precedent in their village so that other youths come forward to take up unconventional mode of earning opportunity.
Despite all the hurdles, the young men remained undaunted and continued working day and night. And this hard labour paid dividends at last.
Even the experts were surprised that our orchid garden started flowering so early. They say that as we have used water from stream, the orchids have been thriving, said Shining.
Shinings team has innovatively used the water from a natural stream in the hillock to irrigate the orchid garden.
Proper technology intervention has yielded unexpected results, said Lakhi Dutta informing that the department would be ensuring the market for the produce for the initial years under an agreement.
Besides the colourful orchids, what attracts the officials visiting this hillock is a cute bamboo and cane cottage, acting as a rest house and providing every visitor with space and moments of tranquility.
Bezera youths transform hillock into orchid garden