In News:

A team from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has identified a new species of balsam flower named Impatiens rajibiana in Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery was made in the natural forest areas of Shergaon, West Kameng district, highlighting the region’s rich floral biodiversity.

Key Details and Ecological Significance

• Impatiens rajibiana belongs to the Balsaminaceae family, commonly known as balsams.
• The species was located in moist, shaded habitats at an elevation of over 2,000 metres, indicating its preference for cool, humid, high-altitude forest ecosystems.
• Balsams are known for their delicate flowers and high levels of endemism, often restricted to narrow ecological zones.
• India currently hosts around 230 species of balsams, including the widely known Impatiens balsamina (garden balsam or touch-me-not).
• Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as a hotspot for balsam diversity. Between 2013 and 2017, more than 16 new species of Impatiens were documented from the state, such as Impatiens godfreyi and Impatiens sashinborthakurii, reinforcing the Eastern Himalayas’ status as a key centre of plant discovery.

Conservation Relevance

• The discovery of Impatiens rajibiana underlines the ecological value of the Eastern Himalayan region and the need for continued field surveys and conservation.
• As many balsam species have restricted distribution and small populations, they may be vulnerable to habitat disturbances, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures.
• Protecting fragile mountain ecosystems and promoting biodiversity research remain critical for safeguarding endemic plant species like Impatiens rajibiana.