Vanda wightii Rc hb.f. , endemic to India and Sri Lanka and known to occur in 8 localities in Kerala , Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is an
endangered orchid as notified by the Government of India . Preliminary survey based on climatic similarity followed by ecological niche
modelling using Ma xent software revealed extended distribution of the species over a distance of 405 kms , from ldukki district of Kerala to
Dakshi na Kannada district of Karnataka. Field surveys conducted in area revealed distribution of the species at 30-870 m altitudes in 31
disti nct localities at 1 km spatial resolution. New populations were discovered in ldukki, Malappuram, and Kasargod Districts of Kerala in
addition to re-locating already known localities in Palakkad , Kannur, and Dakshina Kannada Districts. Precipitation during OctoberDecember,
one of the climatic factors used for modelling, contributed 72 .5% to the Maxent model and emerged as the most effective
predictive variable. The model revealed distribution of the species mostly in inhabited areas or disturbed forests except those located in
ldukki Wild Life sanctuary . The potential habitat distribution map provided here can help to discover new populations , identify top-priority
survey sites , or to select translocation sites in protected areas close to natural populations (if in inhabited areas) for effective conservation
o f V. wightii.