Rare Orchid Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Quick Summary:

• A new orchid species, Gastrochilus pechei, has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh’s vijoynagar region, a remote area bordering Myanmar.
• This orchid was previously known to bloom onyl in myanmar; its presence in india highlights potential floristic links between the two regions.
• Researchers involved include Vinay Kumar Sahani and Minom Pertin from Changlang-based Society for Education and Environmental Advancement,along with Khyanjeet Gogoi from Assam-based Regional Orchids Germplasm conservation and Propagation Center.
• Findings were published in the international journal Lankesteriana based in Costa Rica.
• The orchid thrives at altitudes of 1,200 meters and blooms between September and October. It grows on small trees near riverbanks in moist evergreen rainforests.
• The genus Gastrochilus, first recorded in 1825, comprises 77 species found across tropical to temperate Asia. Prior to this discovery, 22 Gastrochilus species were recorded from India – including 15 from Arunachal Pradesh alone.
• Researchers noted that distinguishing gastrochilus species can be challenging due to their similarities with other taxa.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The discovery of Gastrochilus pechei enriches India’s already diverse floral landscape while underscoring Arunachal Pradesh’s status as the “Orchid State of India.” This adds notable scientific value regarding biodiversity conservation near international borders. Given its earlier identification only in Myanmar’s Kachin region, the finding reaffirms ecological ties between northeastern India and southeast Asia-a crucial consideration for both cross-border environmental studies and policies.

Though, vijoynagar’s remoteness poses challenges for future research or conservation efforts targeting such unique flora. Developing infrastructure without disrupting natural habitats should remain a priority as biodiversity discoveries often coincide with fragile ecosystems. Moreover, further exploration could uncover more floristic links along this border zone-potentially expanding India’s botanical profile on global platforms like those facilitated by journals such as Lankesteriana.

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