Rampant illegal trade in orchids is on in Northeast India and Burma. These rare forest produce make their way to Chinese traders.

A Chin suspected to have links with Chinese merchants into orchid and precious forest product trade, was arrested, while collecting orchids in Mizoram state, northeast India last week.

Lalhmingchuanga from Thing Cang village, Falam township in Chin state, Burma was detained by the Mizoram police with 50 viss of orchids in Kawnpui village, near Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram.

Rare orchids are being collected in Chin state and Kachin state, Burma since 1995 by local people who have a nexus with Chinese traders. The illegal trade is prevalent also in Mizoram and Manipur states of Northeast India now.

"Chinese traders in orchid and precious forest product are based in Kalamyo, Sagaing division. They send agents to collect it from different areas in the region. The traders pay as much as Kyat 5 lakh for collecting the rare orchids," said an orchid agent on condition of anonymity.

The agents make Rs. 100 to 150 (Kyat 2000-3000) per viss and they sell it for Kyat 30,000 to Kyat 60,000 to the orchid merchants depending on its classification in Kalamyo.

Similarly, there is trade on aloe wood, locally known as Nanta ni and Nanta phu, which are bought by the Chinese from Northeast states on India. Three truck-load of such forest produce was seized in Nat Chaung village by the Kalamyo immigration department personnel on 15 February.