In News:

• In a significant botanical discovery, researchers from Madura College, Madurai, have identified a new species of flowering plant belonging to the genus Impatiens in the Kudremukh range of the Western Ghats, Karnataka.
• The species has been named Impatiens selvasinghii in honour of Dr. P. Selva Singh Richard, Associate Professor of Botany at Madras Christian College (MCC), for his pioneering contributions to the study of reproductive biology of endemic and endangered plants of the Western Ghats.

Key Details of the Discovery

• Location:Kudremukh Peak, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka
• Altitude: Approximately 1,630 metres above sea level
• Published in:Taiwania, an international peer-reviewed botanical journal
• Unique Features: The species is distinguished by its exceptionally small flowers—the smallest among known balsams of the Western Ghats—and prominently lobed wing petals.
• Ecological Role: Small insects are dependent on this species for survival, underscoring its role in the local micro-ecosystem.

The Genus Impatiens in India

• India hosts over 280 taxa of Impatiens, widely distributed across the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats.
• About 210 taxa are endemic to India, with 130 species unique to the Western Ghats.
• Notably, around 80% of the Impatiens species in the Western Ghats are categorized as endangered, highlighting the region’s ecological vulnerability.

Conservation Concerns

Researchers have cautioned that Impatiens selvasinghii is located along a popular trekking route in Kudremukh, where over-tourism and habitat disturbance could threaten its survival. Given the fragile mountain ecosystem and high endemicity of balsam species, measures for habitat protection and responsible ecotourism are vital.