Stories of Citizen Science in NE India
To encourage citizen science and the popularize their involvement
Discovery of Henckelia siangensis and the role of Local citizens in scientific research
Day by day the documentation of biodiversity has been increasing in a record level by the dedicated work of several researchers from India as well as abroad. However, in all these cases, the role of local citizens in conducting those research is huge and cannot be neglected. Here we present the case of Henckelia siangensis, a new species discovered recently from Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. This species was collected by Miss Momang Taram (Ph.D. Scholar) and Ojar Taku (a citizen scientist), from dense tropical forests near the mighty Siang. They were pretty sure at the first sight that this was considerably unique, keeping in mind the contrasting yellow colour and its peculiar habitat. But unluckily they observed a single population with less than five individuals. We later surveyed rigorously near the area and this has been continuing since, and we could record any more sighting of a new population near roadside. This speaks up the importance of carrying out more studies right from documentation to adding population data, to map the actual status of the plant in view of conservation. This can only be successful with the help of responsible citizens in the cause. Some more examples I know of are Mr. Saroj Kumar Kasaju, La Dorchee Sherpa from Nepal and Mr. Pema G. Bhutia from Sikkim. Their contributions to the understanding the flora of Nepal and Sikkim are immense.
Photograph: Mr. Ozar Taku holding Panax arunachalensis
CITIZEN SCIENCE: It's role in biodiversity conservation
This wall magazine was published by the BSc students of Kaliabor College, Assam for the year of 2024. They illustrated the efforts of our local heroes (Citizen scientists): Mridu Paban Phukan, Saranga Dhar Rabha, Pramod Kalita, Jadav Payeng, Rajesh Dutta Baruah, Farmer Tridip Gogoi, Khyanjeet Gogoi) who have effortlessly worked towards conservation of nature in Assam and NE as a whole. The science of conservation of Biodiversity today is not carried by scientists but responsible citizens of the hopeful world. The story of Egam Basar, how he managed to revive a dying spring, the story of Sinchung Begun Village Community Reserve and the Begun Liochicla. My students have also tried to aware themselves and others about the drastic effects of Climate Change. How the change in climate are changing the course of action in India devastating livelihoods and stable ecosystems. Hope you read and appreciate. Oops they also managed to bag the first prize. Cheers to life!
The story of Begonia egamii !
It was only two years back when we (me and Momang) came to know about a unique project while randomly browsing in facebook. We could see photos of plants uploaded by a person, who was the proprietor/director/leader of the project. Each plant was uploaded with local names and very unique stories associated with Galo Folklore and Culture, sometimes with sprinkles of humour. Astounded we were! Each time, watching his dedication and knowledge on plants and also his dire zeal for understanding nature. That made the connection and we contacted each other and thereafter kept sharing knowledge and ideas. But it was only on 2nd of January 2023, that we finally decided to visit him and the holy land which holds the wonderful plants that connect us. We were literally shocked how noble one can be, how one can think for the community, the forests, the water, the wildlife and above all the future of humanity. He has managed to rejuvenate a dying river, by stocking and channelling rainwater in pits dug at his own expense and also germinating seeds of native wild plants and then replanting them in the wild to hold the water. And now teaching others this technique, he remains an example for the country. The man is none other than Egam Basar. We (Me, Momang and Ojar) had a wonderful time trekking in his virgin forests, learning from him about the forests and the people, the plants, the animals and their relations with the plants, touching and feeling some of the most threatened plants (of which we only dreamt of). We are fortunate and very excited on our future plans and not just us, the whole country should be proud of him.
About the species: Begonia egamii was posted by Egam Basar on Facebook in 2021 and we took notice of. We were contacted by him by that time itself, but we couldn't manage time to visit his garden by then. However, at last on this January (2023) we went there and collected it. We already have decided by then, that if this Begonia comes out to be new, then it would be named in honour of him. And eventually we did so. Begonia egamii blooms profusely in EB Project Nature centre hill top in the months of November, December and January. This is one of the best protected species described by us as per our observation, because it will be taken care of Egam Basar himself. It is also distributed sporadically in other areas of Lepa Rada, as we could find two three more small populations in that trip. But more fieldwork is in need to ascertain its complete distribution. This gave him the idea that why not create a park for the Begonias. And we just knew that he plans after taking two steps. While we were just discussing he already built shade, the reservoir to keep the area where the species were planted moist and introduced 14 species within it. Four of them grows in EB Project naturally.