In the Lohit district, a group of researchers from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in Itanagar recently found a new species of orchid. According to accounts, Krishna Chowlu and the BSI team discovered the leafless orchid Gastrodia lohitensis here. According to the authorities, the orchid, which bears its name from its native district, is a testament to India’s remarkable biodiversity. The unusual orchid depends on fungi in leaf litter for nourishment and thrives in the absence of sunlight. Gastrodia lohitensis, which is restricted to bamboo canopies close to Tezu, the district headquarters of Lohit, is distinguished from other species of the same genus in South-East Asia by its distinctive ridged lower lips and linear calli.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List has designated this amazing species as “Endangered.” The Chief Minister posted on the microblogging site X, “This discovery, named after the Lohit district, where it was found, adds to the rich biodiversity of our region and highlights the importance of conservation.” The new finding has delighted Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who congratulated Dr. Krishna Chowlu and the entire team at the Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal, for this remarkable accomplishment.
