KUCHING: A showcase on exotic orchids has captured over 150 orchid enthusiasts, locals and foreigners alike to gather at the APOC13 Fringe – Orchid Talk programme at Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall’s lobby here yesterday.
Organised by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), the one-day programme was held in conjunction to promote its main event, the 13th Asia Pacific Orchid Conference (APOC13), which will be held from July 24 until 28 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
During the programme, the audiences were treated to Orchid’s Batik Demonstration, Orchid’s Flower Arrangement Competition, Orchid’s booth sales and its showcase.
Meanwhile, tips and knowledge in caring for orchids were shared by Professor Dr Rusea Go from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang during a talk entitled “Orchids: Beyond That Beautiful Flower”.
Rusea, who is active in the nature environment conservation effort, said that deforestation and climate change were the most critical issue in the efforts to conserve nature.
“We have lost a total of 472,278km2 forest within 12 years due to logging activities,” she said.
The event concluded with a prize-giving ceremony to the top ten winners of Orchid’s Flower Arrangement Competition, whereby the top three winners were male participants.
Also present were the Chief Minister’s wife Datuk Amar Jumaʼani Tun Tuanku Bujang and DBKU mayor Datuk Abang Wahab Abang Julai.