A Rare Palm from Andamans | 19 May 2020
Why in News
Recently, a rare palm, Pinanga andamanensis, has been successfully cultivated at Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) based at Palode, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).
Key Points
- Pinanga andamanensis:
- It is a rare palm endemic to South Andaman Island. Its entire population of some 600 specimens naturally occurs only in a tiny, evergreen forest pocket in South Andaman’s Mount Harriet National Park.
- Endemic species are those plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region.
- The name is derived from ‘Penang’, the modern-day Malaysian state. Penang itself has its origins in Pulau Pinang which means Island of the Areca Nut Palm.
- It has strong resemblance with the areca palm tree (widely used for bright interiors).
- It has a small gene pool which means the species is vulnerable to natural calamities such as cyclones, earthquakes.
- JNTBGRI scientists term it a critically endangered species and one of the least known among the endemic palms of the Andaman Islands.
- It is a rare palm endemic to South Andaman Island. Its entire population of some 600 specimens naturally occurs only in a tiny, evergreen forest pocket in South Andaman’s Mount Harriet National Park.
- Cultivation at JNTBGRI:
- Thiruvananthapuram has been referred as its second home as the species has started flowering in this Institute.
- JNTBGRI will resume seed germination experiments for mass multiplication as part of the conservation strategy.
Mount Harriet National Park
- It is located in the south of the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
- Mount Harriet is the third-highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago next to Saddle Peak in North Andaman and Mount Thuillier in Great Nicobar.
- The park is covered with evergreen forest pockets.
- It is rich in flora and faunal species like andaman wild pigs, saltwater crocodiles, butterflies and palm trees.