Rare ‘Primitive’ orange discovered in Tamenglong

Imphal, May 28 (NNN): A rare wild orange species has been found growing in Manipur’s Tamenglong district. The newly discovered endangered citrus fruit is probably the “most primitive” one in the world, a DDK Imphal news report said today. All varieties of oranges found in the world could possibly be from this orange, it added.   Earlier, scientists believed this orange species was found only in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills.   It was discovered by chance when a team from Conservation of Nature and Cultivation of Science, Manipur under the Manipur Biodiversity Board visited Dailong village of Tamenglong. The trip was aimed at inspecting the village to declare it as one of the important biodiversity heritage site.

  Tamenglong, which is located about 140 km from Manipur capital Imphal, is the centre of oranges of the state. About 80% of oranges produced in the state is from Tamenglong. The district is situated at an altitude of 1,260 m above the sea level.   The climate and the soil of the hill district are well suited for the production of oranges using 40% of the total landmass.