Documentation of Orchid Diversity in the Jukethali Community Forest, Lalitpur

Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse plant families globally and is threatened by habitat loss, degradation and unsustainable collection. This study aimed to assess and document the orchid diversity in Jukethali Community Forest, Lalitpur, a relatively poorly documented area near Kathmandu. Systematic field surveys, specimen collection and morphological examination were conducted for species identification and taxonomic assessment. A total of 49 orchid species representing 21 genera were recorded, with Coelogyne, Bulbophyllum and Pinalia were among the genera with the highest number of species. The findings demonstrate the presence of substantial orchid species richness in the study area and provide baseline information on the Orchid flora of the study area. The study highlights the importance of community-based conservation and sustainable management of Orchid species and their habitats and provides useful information for future taxonomic research and conservation planning.