Northeast Desk, 31st July: Chief Minister Pema Khandu celebrated the discovery of six new species of lizards in Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing the state’s rich biodiversity. The breakthrough was achieved by scientists and researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, and the Natural History Museum in London.
The researchers identified six new species of bent-toed geckos through morphological characteristics, supported by molecular analyses. Their findings were published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology. Of the six species, two each were described from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, and one each from Manipur and Mizoram.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the Namdapha bent-toed gecko was discovered in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Kamlang Tiger Reserves. Another species, found in the Siang Valley, has been named after the river valley known for its unique biodiversity. The Nengpui bent-toed gecko was discovered in Mizoram’s Nengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Manipur bent-toed gecko near Lamdan Kabui village in Manipur. In Nagaland, the Barail Hills bent-toed gecko was found exclusively in Peren district, while the Kiphire bent-toed gecko was identified in Kiphire district.
Taking to the microblogging site X, CM Pema Khandu praised the discovery, calling Arunachal Pradesh a “treasure trove of biodiversity.” He wrote, “The discovery of two species of lizard by scientists and researchers of WII, ATREE, and NHM, London, further adds to our remarkable diversity.”
Khandu also highlighted the importance of conservation, urging, “Let us conserve them for future generations.” The Chief Minister’s statement underscores the significance of these discoveries and the need for ongoing efforts to preserve the state’s unique wildlife.
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