Unearthing the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Heritage
Walking the less trodden!
The Eastern Himalayan region is one of the biologically richest areas on Earth, with an abundance of endemic and rare species inhabiting the diverse landscapes. The biodiversity hotspot is home to 163 globally threatened species, including iconic species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Asiatic Elephant, India Rhinoceros, Red Panda. Golden Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, the Sangai, Tragopans and Hornbills. New species of flora and fauna are being unearthed every year, with a majority from the eight northeastern states.
Just last month, India’s first disk-footed bamboo-dwelling bat was discovered in Meghalaya. Around the same time, scientists confirmed the discovery of a new variety of bioluminescent mushroom, adding to nearly 600 light-emitting species already documented in the state of Meghalaya.
In February, the ‘Three-banded Rosefinch’ was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, which became the latest from the Northeastern India to be added to the list of birds found in India. A new alpine plant species, a type of Himalayan sunflower, was also reported to be found at around the same time from the state.
Previous year, three new species of little horned frogs were discovered from Nagaland and Manipur, and a year earlier, scientists discovered a new species of ‘paddy frog’ from Assam, which was also found to be present in Manipur and Tripura.
The non-venomous ‘Crying Keelback’ discovered from Arunachal Pradesh in 2019, added to the list of about 110 species of snakes found in northeast India, with Arunachal Pradesh harboring 55 of them. The state also yielded 5 new species of fish during the year. Six new species of Bent-toed Geckos were discovered from different parts of northeast India during 2018.
Other major discoveries in recent years include the primates White-cheeked Macaque and Arunachal Macaque, the Leaf Muntjac, a new species of Pika from Sikkim and birds like the Himalayan Forest Thrush and the Bugun liocichla.
Recent unilateral policy decisions threaten the basic identity of the Eastern Himalayan region being a repository of vast natural resources at stake. The approval of the draft EIA 2020 might see more high-risk projects being commissioned, endangering the native biodiversity, including those that remain undiscovered.
The region is also home to many indigenous communities with unique cultures and traditions that are steeped in nature. Biological diversity is celebrated in art and music, and these communities have been practicing sustainability for millennia, way before the word was coined.
Although blessed with natural largesse, the region is vulnerable to natural disasters and sits on the cusp of an impending climate and ecological crisis. It is imperative that the policy makers recognize the need to conserve natural resources for mitigation, and resilience of indigenous communities.
“We’re part of the solution,” and “Our solutions are in nature.”
Rituraj Phukan, National Coordinator for Biodiversity, The Climate Reality Project India; COO, Walk For Water; Secretary General, Green Guard Nature Organization
About the Author
Rituraj Phukan is an environmental writer, adventurer and naturalist with personal experience of climate change impacts in the polar regions. He is also the National Coordinator for Biodiversity with The Climate Reality Project Foundation (India branch); COO of Walk For Water; Secretary General of Green Guard Nature Organization; and member, IUCN. He has worked extensively on the interconnected issues of warming, water, and wildlife, and has been sharing his learnings with audiences around the world as a guest speaker and mentor.
