Itanagar, Jul 8: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday hailed the rediscovery of the rare Himalayan flowering plant Cyananthus hookeri in Tawang, describing it as a significant milestone for biodiversity conservation and scientific research in Arunachal Pradesh.
The species has been recorded in India for the first time in 158 years since it was last collected in Sikkim in 1867 by renowned British botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker.
According to researchers, fewer than 50 mature individuals of the species are believed to survive in India, and it has been recommended for classification as Endangered at the national level under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.
Calling the discovery remarkable, Mein said it reinforces Arunachal Pradesh's position as one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots and highlights the ecological significance of the state's fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
He stressed the need for sustained conservation efforts to protect the region's unique flora and fauna, particularly rare and threatened species.
The Deputy Chief Minister also congratulated the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and the research team involved in the discovery, appreciating their dedicated efforts in documenting and conserving Arunachal Pradesh's rich natural heritage.
The rediscovery of Cyananthus hookeri is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing botanical research and strengthen conservation initiatives in the Eastern Himalayas.