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TINSUKIA: The critically endangered Agarwood tree has been discovered at Jeypore reserve forest. A recent study reported a new distribution record of Aquilaria khasiana, a critically endangered Agarwood producing species, in Jeypore reserve forest under Dibrugarh forest division.
Previously known to be endemic to the state of Meghalaya, the new population located in Jeypore RF was represented by around 800 trees, including 210 mature ones. This landmark finding titled ‘Phylogenetic analysis of the Critically Endangered Aquilaria khasiana (Thymelaeaceae) using barcode markers and chloroplast genome, with updated conservation status’ was published in the journal ‘Nature’ on July 1.
A Khasiana can be categorized as a shrub or a small tree up to 5 m high and is found in the subtropical evergreen forests of Assam and Meghalaya with up to 1300 m elevation. Usually, flowering occurs in May–July with fruiting from July–October.
The identity of the samples collected from the new location was confirmed by morphological and molecular methods. Researchers carried out Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear and chloroplast markers to find the phylogenetic position of A khasiana.
Agarwood, also known as ‘Gaharu,’ ‘Oud,’ ‘Aloewood,’ and ‘Eaglewood,’ is the trade name of a resinous substance obtained from infected trees, particularly belonging to the genus Aquilaria and Gyrinops. The oil, derived from agarwood, is commonly referred to as ‘liquid gold,’ and used in perfumes, incense, air fresheners, cosmetics, medicine, and aromatherapy.
Presently, Agarwood is one of the world’s most valuable wildlife commodities. However, due to an increase in global demand and the slow formation of the resinous wood, the supply of agarwood has decreased and wild populations are threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic activities and illegal harvesting. Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India who were involved in the study reported that the new distribution records and the updated assessment of conservation status would be highly useful for conservation management of this endemic and critically endangered species.
Though the newly-located subpopulation of A khasiana in Jeypore is better protected due to its occurrence within a reserve forest, there have been some informal reports of the collection of this species as an alternate source of agarwood. Thus, there is an urgent need to conserve the species both by ex-situ and in-situ methods. The study noted that more intense survey and habitat management was therefore recommended for its future conservation. The researchers also urged the state forest departments to protect the remaining plants by imposing strict legislation and monitoring, preferably by implementing an effective species-recovery programme.
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