Arunachal Pradesh has marked a significant milestone in botanical research with the discovery of a new plant species, Hoya dawodiensis, in the remote Vijoynagar region of Changlang district. The breakthrough was achieved by a joint team of Indian and international researchers, further strengthening the state’s reputation as a biodiversity hotspot.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu reacted to the discovery on social media, calling it a “remarkable chapter” in the state’s scientific journey. He said the finding reinforces Arunachal Pradesh’s potential as a natural research frontier, particularly in areas that remain largely unexplored.
Researchers noted that Vijoynagar—a region accessible only via helicopter or challenging multi-day treks—offers vast unexplored ecological zones, which continue to reveal rare species. Alongside Hoya dawodiensis, scientists also documented Hoya yingjiangensis for the first time in India, and Hoya nummularia was officially recorded in the state for the first time.
Hoyas are tropical flowering plants recognised for their ecological importance and distinctive structural features. Officials said the latest findings will contribute to ongoing documentation efforts and support long-term conservation planning.
Chief Minister Khandu praised the collaborative work of the Society for Education & Environmental Development, the Botanical Survey of India, and Botanic Research Singapore. He added that each new discovery offers critical insight into fragile ecosystems and strengthens the case for their protection.
This discovery follows a year of intensive biodiversity research in Arunachal Pradesh, during which scientists have identified multiple new amphibian, orchid and balsam species. Authorities expect that the growing catalogue of scientific records will attract further global interest and support conservation-focused initiatives in the region’s eastern frontier.
