A team discovered the new balsam flower species Impatiens rajibiana in which state?

 Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India have discovered a new balsam flower species, Impatiens rajibiana, in Shergaon, West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Learn about its discovery, importance, habitat, and conservation significance in this detailed article.

A team discovered the new balsam flower species Impatiens rajibiana in which state?

Short answer: Impatiens rajibiana was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Shergaon area of West Kameng district. (PTI News)

Below is an easy-to-read, detailed article explaining what was found, who found it, where exactly it was discovered, why it matters, and what we can learn from this discovery. I’ve kept language simple and included clear headings so it’s easy to follow.

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1. What was discovered?

Scientists have described a new species of balsam flower and named it Impatiens rajibiana. Balsams are plants in the family Balsaminaceae and include many colorful, delicate wildflowers known commonly as “impatiens” or “touch-me-nots.” This particular species is newly recorded by botanists and has been added to the list of India’s plant species. (PTI News)

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2. Who discovered it?

The new species was discovered by a team working with the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). The BSI is the national organization in India that surveys and documents the country’s plant life. The discovery involved botanists and researchers who were studying the forests and plants of the region. (PTI News)

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3. Exactly where in India was it found?

Impatiens rajibiana was found in Shergaon, a region inside the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Shergaon is part of the Eastern Himalayan foothills — an area known for rich biodiversity and many rare plants. The plant was recorded growing in natural, moist, shaded forest areas in that region. (Jagranjosh.com)

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4. Why is Arunachal Pradesh important for plants?

• High biodiversity: Arunachal Pradesh sits in the eastern Himalaya, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Hotspots are places with many different species, including many that live nowhere else (endemic species).
• Many new finds: Botanists often find new plant species in Arunachal because large parts of its forests are still little-studied and are home to many rare plants.
• Conservation value: Finding new species highlights the need to protect these forests so that rare plants and animals can survive. (Arunachal Times)

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5. Where exactly within Shergaon was the plant growing?

Reports say the plant was found in the natural forests of Shergaon, at high elevation areas that are moist and shaded. Some articles mention it was observed at elevations of around or above 2,000 meters. These mountain forests, with cool and humid conditions, are ideal habitats for many impatiens species. (Vajiram & Ravi)

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6. What does the plant look like? (short description)

While formal scientific descriptions include precise botanical terms, here is a simple visual idea:

• The flowers are delicate and shaped like many balsam flowers — often with a curved or spur-like structure.
• Coloration reported in media shows the blooms as pink to purplish (photos circulated with the news show this tone).
• Leaves are typical of impatiens — generally green, soft, and arranged along the stem.
• The plant seems to prefer the understorey of forests (growing beneath taller trees where light is filtered).

Note: For formal identification, botanists study flower parts, leaves, seeds, and other structures and compare them to known species. The published scientific paper (and specimen records) give the full technical description.

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7. Who is the species named after?

The species name rajibiana suggests it was named in honour of a person named Rajib (or someone with a similar name), which is a common practice in taxonomy — new species are often named after people who helped the research, local guides, or other notable individuals connected to the discovery. The formal scientific article that describes the species will state the exact reason for the name. (Nagaland Post)

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8. Why is the discovery important?

1. Adds to scientific knowledge
   Every new species gives scientists more information about plant diversity and evolution. It helps complete the picture of life in a region.
2. Highlights biodiversity hotspots
   The finding underlines Arunachal Pradesh’s role as a rich area for plants, especially in the eastern Himalaya.
3. Conservation implications
   New species are often rare or restricted to small areas. Knowing they exist is the first step to protect them and their habitat.
4. Potential benefits
   Plants can be useful to people in many ways — for medicines, local uses, or simply as part of a healthy ecosystem. Discoveries can lead to further study of the plant’s role in the forest and any benefits it may offer. (Northeast Today)

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9. How do botanists officially “describe” a new species?

When scientists say a species is “discovered,” they usually follow a formal process:

• Collect specimens: Researchers collect a sample of the plant (called a specimen) and preserve it in a herbarium (a plant museum) for study.
• Compare with known species: They compare the plant’s features with known species to make sure it is truly new.
• Write a scientific description: The researchers write a detailed description in formal botanical language, showing how this plant differs from others.
• Name the plant: They give it a Latin name (here, Impatiens rajibiana) and explain the name’s meaning.
• Publish in a journal: The description is published in a scientific journal so other botanists can read, check, or confirm the finding.
• Register and cite: Details like the location, collector name, and herbarium reference are recorded for future study. (Nagaland Post)

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10. Is the discovery already published in a scientific paper?

Yes — reports indicate the species was described and the formal name assigned by the research team. News reports and taxonomic blogs point to a scientific publication describing Impatiens rajibiana (details such as DOI and author list are given in specialist summaries). For the full technical description and the formal reasons for naming, one should look up that original scientific paper. (Nagaland Post)

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11. What threats might this plant face?

Newly discovered plants, especially those with small ranges, often face several threats:

• Habitat loss: Deforestation, land conversion for agriculture, roads, and development can destroy the specific forest patches the plant needs.
• Climate change: Changes in temperature and rainfall can shift or reduce suitable habitat, especially in mountain zones.
• Overcollection: In some cases, rare plants are collected by people for trade or gardens, which can reduce wild populations.
• Invasive species: Non-native plants and animals can change the forest environment, making it hard for native species to survive.

Because of these risks, conservationists stress the value of documenting and protecting the exact places where such species occur. (Arunachal Times)

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12. How will local people and authorities benefit?

• Awareness and pride: Discoveries bring attention to local natural heritage and can encourage pride and care for forests.
• Conservation actions: Authorities may take steps to protect the area if it is home to rare or unique species.
• Ecotourism: In some cases, careful eco-friendly tourism can bring income to local communities while encouraging habitat protection.
• Research opportunities: Local researchers, students, and forest staff can be involved in further study and monitoring. (easternmirrornagaland.com)

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13. How common are impatiens discoveries in India?

India hosts many species of Impatiens. The genus is diverse in the Himalaya and the Western Ghats. New species of Impatiens are still being discovered from remote and less-studied forests, especially in regions like Arunachal Pradesh and the Western Ghats. Each new discovery helps scientists understand how many species there are and how they differ. (Arunachal Times)

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14. What can readers and students do to learn more or help?

• Read the published paper: For details, students and plant lovers should read the formal scientific publication that describes Impatiens rajibiana. That paper will have precise botanical descriptions, photographs, maps, and the herbarium specimen reference.
• Support local conservation: Back efforts that protect forest habitat in Arunachal Pradesh and other biodiversity-rich zones.
• Join citizen science: Many groups invite volunteers to record plants and animals; this helps map biodiversity.
• Study botany locally: Encourage schools and colleges to include field visits and plant identification in the curriculum.
• Respect wild areas: When visiting forests, follow rules, avoid trampling vegetation, and leave no trace.

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15. A short timeline of the discovery (simple)

• Fieldwork: Botanists from BSI surveyed forests in Shergaon, West Kameng.
• Specimen collection: They collected specimens and took photographs in the forest.
• Research & comparison: Back at labs or herbaria, researchers compared the plant with known species and confirmed it was new to science.
• Scientific description & naming: The authors wrote a formal description and assigned the name Impatiens rajibiana.
• Announcement & news: The finding was shared with the public via news outlets and official channels. (PTI News)

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16. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: In which Indian state was Impatiens rajibiana found?
A: In Arunachal Pradesh, specifically Shergaon in West Kameng district. (Jagranjosh.com)

Q: Who found it?
A: A team of botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered and described the species. (PTI News)

Q: Is this plant harmful or useful to people?
A: There is no report that it is harmful. Many wild impatiens are simply attractive wildflowers. Any potential use (medicinal, ornamental) would need careful research. (Arunachal Times)

Q: Is the plant already protected?
A: The discovery itself raises awareness, but formal protection (e.g., conservation measures) depends on assessments by local and national authorities. Documenting the species is the first step toward protection. (easternmirrornagaland.com)

Q: Where can I see photographs?
A: News stories and botanical summaries published after the discovery include photographs and close-up images of the flower. See the media coverage and the formal publication for scientific images.

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17. Final thoughts

Discovering a new species like Impatiens rajibiana is exciting because it reminds us that nature still holds many secrets. Arunachal Pradesh — with its rich mountain forests and relative remoteness — continues to be an important place for discovering new plants. Each discovery helps science, conservation, and local people by highlighting the special value of these forests.

If you want to read the original scientific description, look for the publication by the research team (the journal and DOI are referenced in specialist botanical blogs and the publication notice). Reading the formal paper will give you the full botanical diagnosis, maps, photos, and herbarium details used by scientists to confirm and name the species. (Nagaland Post)

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Sources and further reading (selected)

• PTI / Press reports on the discovery by the Botanical Survey of India. (PTI News)
• Regional news outlets reporting the find in Shergaon, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh. (Jagranjosh.com)
• Specialist taxonomy blog (Novataxa) and research listings that cite the formal publication and DOI for Impatiens rajibiana. (Nagaland Post)