Dancing Ginger: 3 New Species Discovered in Northeast India

Three new ginger species have been discovered in Mizoram and Meghalaya, India, belonging to the Globba genus, part of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family. The species, collectively known as "dancing girls," grow in forest understory and attract bee species for pollination.

Discovery of New Ginger Species

Three new ginger species discovered in Mizoram and Meghalaya, India
Found by researchers Ritu Yadav and Vinita Gowda from IISER Bhopal in 2022
Species belong to the Globba genus, part of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family
Collectively named "dancing girls" ginger species due to their graceful appearance
Additional species identified in West Bengal, totaling six new Globba species

Characteristics of the New Species

Globba tyrnaensis:

- Found near Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Meghalaya
- Grows in forest understory at around 731 meters elevation
- Attracts various bee species for pollination

Globba janakiae:

- Named after Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammal, a pioneering Indian botanist
- Discovered in the same region as G. tyrnaensis
- Small population with fewer than ten mature individuals recorded

Globba yadaviana:

- Found along Reiek Tlang Road in Mizoram
- Named after Rajesh Yadav, father of researcher Ritu Yadav
- Small population of approximately 30 individuals

Significance and Conservation

Adds to the biodiversity knowledge of Northeast India
Highlights the importance of continued exploration in understudied regions
Globba is the fourth largest genus in the ginger family, with about 136 species
New species have unique floral features, earning names like "weeping goldsmith" and "white dragon"
Conservation efforts needed, especially for rare species like G. yadaviana
Contributes to understanding of the Zingiberaceae family, which includes about 1600 known species
Many plants in the ginger family have ornamental, spice, or medicinal uses

Compressed Biogas Plant Launch

India has launched its first cooperative multi-feed Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Kopargaon, Maharashtra. This is a big step toward renewable energy, green energy, and sustainable rural develop

Project Dolphin India

Project Dolphin India is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at conserving India’s dolphin species, both in rivers and marine ecosystems. Launched under the theme of human

Madhya Pradesh’s Gaj Rakshak App

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is not only famous for its tigers but has also become home to a growing population of elephants. With this increase, human-elephant conflicts have e

Mountain Ecosystem Explained

The fragile mountain ecosystem of the Himalayas is facing unprecedented climate risks and ecological challenges. At the 12th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS-XII) held in Dehradun, ex

Draft 2025 Solid Waste Management

India marks 25 years since its first Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules in 2000. Over the years, the country has seen evolving regulations and infrastructure aimed at cleaner cities, but many urban

Floods and Landslides in Hilly Regions

The current monsoon has brought unusually intense rainfall to hilly states such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, exacerbating the incidence of floods and landslides. Rivers are swelling to per

India’s CO₂ Emissions Drop in 2025

India’s CO₂ emissions have always been a critical issue in the context of sustainable development, economic growth, and climate change. For the first time outside a crisis period like the

National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025

Initiative to expand India’s clean energy portfolio, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has launched the National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025. This marks India’s f

Gangotri Glacier System Melting

The Gangotri Glacier System is the primary source of the Ganga River, with its flow comprising snowmelt, glacier melt, rainfall-runoff, and base flow. Historically, snowmelt dominated the annual f

Current Sundarbans Tiger Population

The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) in West Bengal has recently made headlines as it expanded in August 2025, following approval from the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL). This expansion adds 1,04