Rare Wild Blueberry Relative Rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh After 188 Years

Why in News?
Vaccinium piliferum, a rare and endangered wild relative of the blueberry, has been rediscovered in the forests of Vijoynagar, Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, nearly 188 years after its first recorded observation in 1836.

About Vaccinium piliferum

• Vaccinium piliferum belongs to the Ericaceae family, which also includes economically important fruits such as blueberries and cranberries.
• It is a flowering shrub native to the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
• The species was originally recorded during the colonial period in 1836, but had not been observed for generations, leading scientists to fear that it had disappeared from the wild.
• The species is currently classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Key Findings of the Rediscovery

• The plant was rediscovered near tributaries of the Noa-Dihing River in the dense forests of Vijoynagar.
• The discovery was made by researchers from CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology, the Society for Education and Environmental Development, and collaborating institutions.
• Field surveys recorded only 16 individual plants, indicating an extremely fragile population.

Why is it Important?

• Wild relatives of cultivated crops are valuable genetic resources for:
  • Climate resilience
  • Disease resistance
  • Crop improvement programmes
  • Food security research
• The rediscovery highlights the ecological significance of the Eastern Himalayas, one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
• It reinforces the need for conservation under frameworks such as the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

About the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot

• The Eastern Himalaya is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot known for high endemism and altitudinal diversity. 
• It is part of the broader Himalayan Hotspot, stretching across Nepal, Bhutan, and Northeast India. 
  • In India it spans parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, North Bengal, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet.
• It serves as a vital ecological bridge between the Indian, Palearctic, and Indo-Malayan biogeographic realms.

Exam Hook (Prelims)

Consider the following statements regarding Vaccinium piliferum:

1. It belongs to the Ericaceae family.
2. It is a wild relative of blueberry and cranberry species.
3. It has been classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

One-Line Wrap

The rediscovery of Vaccinium piliferum after 188 years underscores the extraordinary biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh and the importance of conserving wild plant species that may hold the key to future food and climate security.

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