Which Indian state is popularly known as the Orchid Paradise of India because of its exceptionally rich diversity of orchid species?

Introduction / Context:
India has a remarkable diversity of flowering plants, and orchids form one of the most spectacular groups among them. Certain regions in the Eastern Himalayas and north eastern India are especially famous for their orchid richness. This question asks you to identify the Indian state that is widely called the Orchid Paradise of India because it hosts a very high proportion of the country's orchid species.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The nickname "Orchid Paradise of India" refers to a state with exceptionally high orchid diversity.

- Options include several Indian states from different regions, some of which are known for forests and biodiversity.

- The question assumes knowledge of basic Indian geography and biodiversity hotspots.

- No numerical data are required, only correct association of the nickname with the state.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to connect biodiversity information with geography. Arunachal Pradesh, in the Eastern Himalayas, is famous for its dense forests, varied altitudes, and very high species richness, especially for orchids. Botanical surveys have documented that roughly forty percent of India's orchid species are found there, which justifies the title Orchid Paradise of India. Other states like Meghalaya and Sikkim are also rich in orchids, but the specific popular nickname most often refers to Arunachal Pradesh.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the nickname "Orchid Paradise" must refer to an area with rich forest cover and suitable climate, usually in a high rainfall, mountainous region. Step 2: Eliminate Rajasthan because it is largely arid and is not primarily known for orchids. Step 3: Consider Andhra Pradesh, which has forests but is more famous for other crops and coastal features than for orchids specifically. Step 4: Recall that Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas has great altitudinal range and receives high rainfall, supporting an extraordinary variety of orchids. Step 5: Recognise that while Meghalaya and Sikkim also have many orchids, the phrase Orchid Paradise of India is most strongly associated with Arunachal Pradesh in botanical and general knowledge sources. Step 6: Conclude that Arunachal Pradesh is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
If you have studied Indian biodiversity hotspots, you will recall that Arunachal Pradesh is frequently mentioned alongside terms like "Land of the Rising Sun" and "Orchid Paradise" due to its location and flora. Reports from botanical institutions often highlight that the state alone contains hundreds of orchid species, some endemic and many rare. No similar national level title is as strongly used for Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, or Sikkim in the context of orchids, which confirms the choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Andhra Pradesh has important forests and hills but does not hold the specific national level nickname Orchid Paradise of India. Meghalaya has many orchids and beautiful forests but is more widely known for high rainfall and caves rather than this exact title. Rajasthan is mostly desert and semi arid region, so it is not associated with lush orchid habitats. Sikkim is rich in biodiversity and orchids but is not the state most commonly labelled as the Orchid Paradise of India.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse similar sounding nicknames, such as "Land of the Rising Sun" or "Land of Clouds", and may mix up which state each one describes. Another common mistake is to assume that any north eastern hill state with forests could be the orchid centre, without remembering that Arunachal Pradesh has a particularly high concentration of species. Carefully linking the exact phrase used in the question with what you have read in geography or environment chapters helps to avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
The state popularly known as the Orchid Paradise of India is Arunachal Pradesh.