Final plea for conservation of Gaultheria akaensis Panda & Sanjappa ( Ericaceae ) , an extremely threatened , endemic medicinal plant from Aka Hill in Arunachal Pradesh of eastern Himalaya , India

Gaultheria akaensis Panda & Sanjappa is endemic to Aka Hills in Arunachal Pradesh and found near Nechephu, 3km away from Tenga Valley. The species was located in 2002 and formally described in 2006 (Panda & Sanjappa 2006). Currently, the species is known to be composed of only two individuals and hence extremely threatened. Since its discovery, explorations in Aka Hill areas in Bomdi-La Forest Division and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya failed to locate the species other than its type locality. Till date there are no reports of this species from neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar which represent natural Himalayan habitat of G. akaensis. Since its discovery in 2002, the population of G. akaensis has declined due to natural (very less seed germination percentage and rare flowering as observed in different seasons in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011) and man-made habitat degradation (due to road construction). Now the species is survived by only two individuals (observed in January 2011) against six since its discovery in 2002. Detailed phenological observations on this species in different seasons were recorded since December 2002–January 2011. G. akaensis normally flowers in December and fruits in January. Recent flowering occurred in December 2010 without fruit formation and one new twig originating from one plant was observed. Why final plea for conservation? The National Highways extension project by the Border Road Organization is going on through the habitat of G. akaensis. The road extension has already started from the Bhalukpong area and is proceeding towards Aka Hill area. The upcoming hydroelectric project of Government of India in this area may also affect the species habitat. Due to this problem the author put a board in January 2011 for conservation of the habitat of G. akaensis to promote awareness in local tribal community (Image 1). Aka Hill, the habitat for the species in reference is situated under West Kameng District in Arunachal Pradesh and lies between 26012’–26032’N & 91035’– 91045’E. The area is bounded by Tenga Valley in the north, Rupa and Kalaktang in the west, Bomdi-La in the north-west, East Kameng District in the east and Bhalukpong in the south. It extends to ca. 50km2 with an altitude between 135–1830 m. The name of the Aka Hill is derived from the dominant tribe, Aka. The present paper provided detailed description, ethnic use, live photos, colour figure and distribution maps of the species for the purpose of better conservation.


Gaultheria akaensis
Panda & Sanjappa is endemic to Aka Hills in Arunachal Pradesh and found near Nechephu, 3km away from Tenga Valley.The species was located in 2002 and formally described in 2006 (Panda & Sanjappa 2006).Currently, the species is known to be composed of only two individuals and hence extremely threatened.
Since its discovery, explorations in Aka Hill areas in Bomdi-La Forest Division and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya failed to locate the species other than its type locality.Till date there are no reports of this species from neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar which represent natural Himalayan habitat of G. akaensis.
Fruiting: Late December-January.Ethnic Use: Tender leaf extract mixed with G. fragrantissima leaves (1:1) applied to cure acute rheumatic and sciatic pain by the Akas.
IUCN Red List status: The species is not yet assessed as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Given that the species is known from only one location and has not been recorded anywhere else in its habitat of Aka Hills in Arunachal Pradesh as established by annual surveys over 10 years since 2002, and that the habitat is threatened by road construction, the species will qualify as Critically Endangered based on Criteria B [B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)], C [C2a] and D.
and man-made habitat degradation (due to road construction).Now the species is survived by only two individuals (observed in January 2011) against six since its discovery in 2002.Detailed phenological observations on this species in different seasons were recorded since December 2002-January 2011.G. akaensis normally flowers in December and fruits in January.Recent flowering occurred in December 2010 without fruit formation and one new twig originating from one plant was observed.Why final plea for conservation?The National Highways extension project by the Border Road Organization is going on through the habitat of G. akaensis.The road extension has already started from the Bhalukpong area and is proceeding towards Aka Hill area.The upcoming hydroelectric project of Government of India in this area may also affect the species habitat.Due to this problem the author put a board in January 2011 for conservation of the habitat of G. akaensis to promote awareness in local tribal community (Image 1).Aka Hill, the habitat for the species in reference is situated under West Kameng District in Arunachal Pradesh and lies between 26 0 12'-26 0 32'N & 91 0 35'-91 0 45'E.The area is bounded by Tenga Valley in the north, Rupa and Kalaktang in the west, Bomdi-La in the north-west, East Kameng District in the east and Bhalukpong in the south.It extends to ca. 50km 2 with an altitude between 135-1830 m.The name of the Aka Hill is derived from the dominant tribe, Aka.The present paper provided detailed description, ethnic use, live photos, colour figure and distribution maps of the species for the purpose of better conservation.Gaultheria akaensis 25.xii.2002Panda & Sanjappa Edinburgh J. Bot.63 (1):15-17.2006.Type: 30824 (holotype and isotype: CAL), West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, India, 3km from Nechephu, 27km toward Tenga, left bank of the bridge, 1800m, S. Panda (Image 1, Figs. 1-2).