Unearthing the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Heritage

–Rituraj Phukan

Biodiversity Heritage.

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First published on Medium by The Climate Reality Project India

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 few months ago, 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 the nearly 600 light-emitting species already documented in the state of Meghalaya.
In February, the Three-banded Rosefinch discovered in Arunachal Pradesh became the latest from northeast to be added to the list of birds found in India. A new alpine plant species, a type of Himalayan sunflower, was also reported at around the same time from the state.
Last 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 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 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.”