Researchers have rediscovered Vaccinium piliferum, a rare and endangered wild relative of the blueberry, in the Vijaynagar forests of Changlang district after nearly 188 years. The species was first recorded in 1836 and had not been traced for generations, leading many botanists to believe it had disappeared from the wild.

The species belongs to the Ericaceae family, which includes blueberries and cranberries. The plant was found near tributaries of the Noa-Dihing River in the ecologically sensitive forests of Vijaynagar. Only 16 individual plants were recorded during the field survey, indicating a fragile population status.

This rediscovery is being seen as a major botanical achievement and an important addition to India’s biodiversity records.

The International Union for Conservation of        Nature (IUCN) has listed Vaccinium piliferum as an endangered species. Meanwhile, three new deciduous species of Berberis were discovered in Tawang and West Kameng districts. The newly discovered species are Berberis pseudovirescens, Berberis orbicularis, and Berberis tawangensis.

These are important discoveries that underscore the need to preserve one of the most ecologically rich, vibrant, yet fragile regions. As infrastructural development expands mindlessly across the state, one must be mindful of the sensitivity of the region. A careful approach is needed to save the fragile ecology, while staying within the premise of infrastructure development.