After 188 years, rare wild blueberries rediscovered in Arunachal

Indian botanical scientists have successfully rediscovered Vaccinium piliferum, which is a rare and endangered wild relative of the blueberry in Arunachal Pradesh. This rare berry plant was found in the deep, dense forests of Vijoynagar in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district. Here’s all you need to know about it…

The quest for finding this rare berry
This historic finding comes nearly 188 years after the species was first documented by Western science during the colonial era in 1836, officially ending generations of searching. For nearly two centuries, the elusive plant had left no trace in the wild. Its extended absence had led many prominent botanists to fear that the species had quietly slipped into extinction. The discovery of berries is really something. People are extremely happy that the Vaccinium piliferum, which is a link in the Himalayan region, has been found again. This is a milestone and it gives us hope for India's biodiversity records. The search for the Vaccinium piliferum was a team effort. A group of experts from the Society for Education and Environmental Development, the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology and other scientific institutions worked together on a field expedition. They were looking for the Vaccinium piliferum. They found it near the Noa-Dihing River. This area is known for its forest and unique plants. It is a sensitive zone in the Eastern Himalayas.

All about the Vaccinium piliferum
The Vaccinium piliferum is a plant that belongs to the Ericaceae family. The Ericaceae family includes berries like blueberries and cranberries. The Vaccinium piliferum is very rare it is only found in an area. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says that the Vaccinium piliferum is a species, which means the Vaccinium piliferum needs to be protected. The rediscovery of the Vaccinium piliferum is really exciting. It also shows us that the Vaccinium piliferum is in danger. The research team only found 16 Vaccinium piliferum plants. This is a small number and it means that the Vaccinium piliferum species is fragile. If something happens to this group of Vaccinium piliferum plants, the whole Vaccinium piliferum species could be in trouble. Environmentalists are worried about the Vaccinium piliferum. The power of genetics is very important. The Vaccinium piliferum and other wild plants like the Vaccinium piliferum have genes that can help us make crops stronger. This can help us deal with climate change and pests that can hurt our food supplies. The discovery of the Vaccinium piliferum also shows us how important it is to protect the ecosystems in Arunachal Pradesh. There are plants and animals that need our help. We need to come up with plans to protect them before it is too late.


The official statement
The historic nature of the find was quickly acknowledged at the highest levels of state leadership. Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein took to social media to formally celebrate the achievement, describing the rediscovery on X (formerly Twitter) as "a remarkable chapter in the natural history of Arunachal Pradesh." In his statement, Mein expressed deep gratitude to the dedicated research teams involved in the tedious field expedition. He further emphasized that the finding shines a bright light on the immense ecological wealth of the state, underscoring an urgent, collective responsibility to preserve these fragile Himalayan ecosystems for generations to come.