"With the pressure of wild orchid collecting on the rise, the environment has been threatened. This makes protection quite urgent. They are severely threatened," said Zhao Xiang, director of the center.

About 293 species of orchids are included in the list of national key protected wild plants issued last year, Of those, seven species and the whole genus of Paphiopedilum are listed as first-class protected wild plants.

Located at the foot of the Himalaya, Metog is a global hot spot of biodiversity.

"Because of the huge differences in altitude and with its many different climate and vegetation zones, Metog has a unique and rich biosystem," said Zhao, adding that the area provides favorable conditions for the growth and reproduction of orchids.

Metog is among nine counties in China with the most orchid species.