Source: IndiaToday

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Context :

• Recently, A new type of plant (Strobilanthes gigantra) was found in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
• This discovery is important because it shows how many different types of plants and animals live in the Indian Himalayan Region.

About Strobilanthes Gigantra

• Strobilanthes gigantra is a new type of flowering plant found in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
• Special Features: This plant is special because it can grow very big, sometimes as big as a tree. And it has unique flower parts like densely packed leaves, a special type of flower cluster, a curved tube.
• Group of Plants: The Strobilanthes group is the 2nd largest group of plants in the Acanthaceae family. 450 types of plants found all over the world, and 167 types found in India, mainly in the Himalayas and Western Ghats.

Area with Many Types of Plants and Animals

• Eastern Himalayas: The Eastern Himalayas, especially Arunachal Pradesh, are home to many types of Strobilanthes plants, with 41 known types.

What is Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)?

• Himalayas are young fold mountains formed due to the collision between the Eurasian and Indian plates about 50 million years ago.
• The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is spread across 13 Indian States/Union Territories, covering 2,500 km.
• It occupies 18% of India's total geographical area and 50% of the country's forest cover & biodiversity.
• The IHR is a biodiversity hotspot for several plant and animal species.
• The region is known as a 'water tower of the earth' due to its glaciers feeding major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Indus, and Brahmaputra.
• The IHR is the source of many ecosystem goods, such as food, medicine, and genetic resources.
• It provides services like carbon sequestration and water regulation.
• It also prevents frigid, dry arctic winds from blowing south and acts as a barrier for monsoon winds. It facilitates rainfall south of the Himalaya.

Interesting Facts

• Some types of Strobilanthes plants, like Strobilanthes dyerianus, can be grown indoors, but they grow best in warm, humid, and bright conditions.
• Strobilanthes plants are used for many purposes, including decoration, medicine, helping the environment, and cultural activities.

Source:

IndiaToday