Guwahati: In a rare yet concerning rediscovery, fewer than ten individual plants of Hedychium aureum, an endangered species known for its striking golden-yellow flowers, have been found in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills. This critically threatened member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), first described in 1892, now faces an alarming risk of extinction, underscoring the urgent need for biodiversity conservation.
The discovery was made by botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) during a recent field survey. “We found fewer than 10 mature plants in a single patch, highlighting its alarmingly narrow distribution and vulnerability to habitat destruction,” the researchers reported. A specimen has been successfully cultivated in the BSI’s Eastern Regional Centre in Shillong as part of an ex-situ conservation effort.
This rediscovery marks the first documented sighting of Hedychium aureum in Meghalaya in decades. Historically, the species has been recorded at fewer than ten locations across northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Mizoram confirmed sightings in 2014, but reports from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland date back over 50 years, indicating a sharp decline in its distribution over time.
Classified as endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, Hedychium aureum is under threat from habitat loss caused by deforestation, shifting agricultural practices, and urbanization. Despite Meghalaya boasting 76% forest cover, widespread forest degradation has significantly impacted the species.
Traditional farming practices, such as jhum cultivation (slash-and-burn agriculture) used by tribal communities, have compounded habitat loss. Moreover, infrastructure development, including the Shillong-Dawki four-lane highway project, has intensified the strain on the region’s fragile ecosystems.
“Meghalaya’s forest resources are under growing pressure. Large-scale deforestation and habitat conversion continue to threaten plant diversity,” the researchers emphasized.
To ensure the species’ survival, the researchers advocate for ex-situ conservation methods. “We can focus on collecting and planting specimens in botanical gardens without disturbing the natural habitat. Tissue culture techniques could also help multiply the collected plants,” one of the study’s authors suggested.
The rediscovery of Hedychium aureum in Meghalaya offers a glimmer of hope but underscores the pressing need for immediate conservation efforts. Scientists stress the importance of protecting its natural habitat to secure the survival of one of nature’s most striking botanical treasures.
As Meghalaya continues to grapple with the twin pressures of urban expansion and agricultural development, the plight of Hedychium aureum serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human progress and ecological preservation.
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