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THE ORCHID FLORA OF NORTH WEST HIMALAYA
The North-West Himalayas no longer
remain a vastly uncharted frontier. For the first time since J.F.
Duthies’ book written three-quarters or a century ago, here is a
pioneering effort by two dedicated scientists, Professor Som
Deva and Mr. H.B. Naithani, to bring out a truly comprehensive
and original work. Professor Som Deva recently died on the 29th
of January, 2005.
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It is a special
tribute to the perseverance of a man totally devoted to his
profession as a teacher and as a botanist; working unselfishly
in the interest of science and the greater promotion of botany
as a faith.
I have a deep respect for Prof. Deva, my father, borne out of
watching his keen enthusiasm over a period of at least 20 years,
which I can consciously remember. Those long treks to the
Himalayas, year after year; the collection of every plant a
story in itself, so precisely put down with minute details in
his field notebooks.
The Orchid Flora of North-West Himalaya, a monumental work
painstakingly researched over a decade, brings to you critical
commentaries and updated descriptions of 239 species including
six new additions, with 260 original, beautifully drawn full
format illustrations showing both internal and external
structure. It is a work of International significance,
accomplished privately without recourse to institutional
funding. An invaluable book for explorers, naturalists herbal
medics, the research scientist, taxonomists, critical leaders in
the subject and orchid enthusiasts the world over.
Vivek Sharma
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