The Botanical Survey of India has rediscovered Henckelia monophylla, a rare plant species endemic to Arunachal Pradesh, nearly 189 years after it was last recorded.
Scientists from the BSI made the rediscovery in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh. The species had eluded scientists for nearly 20 years.
This finding is in addition to many others that have been found in the state, which reiterates its position as one of the global hotspots. Rich in flora and fauna, however, the state is facing challenges as it embarks on physical infrastructure development, which puts a huge strain on the fragile ecology of the state. The state must pause and reflect on its developmental agenda.
To start with, areas rich in ecology must be protected and the villagers living in and around these areas must be made the guardians of such a rich treasure. Many areas are already declared as conserved forests and this has to be extended to all the areas identified as such and that are at the risk of being damaged by infrastructure development. Such protected areas should be left out of the radar of physical infrastructure development as it has the potential to damage the area. Once a species is lost, it is the way of nature, but in Arunachal it has often been due to human interference. There is a need for reflection in order to carry forward.