The Eastern Himalayas is home to a staggering number of species including some of the
most charismatic fauna.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released a report that lists 211 rare and endangered animal and plant species, discovered in the Himalayan region. The report has some unusual discoveries like sneezing monkeys, blue-eyed frogs, walking fish and much more.
Did you know that there is a type of monkey which sneezes every time it rains? Or have you heard of a snake that can pass as a carefully crafted piece of jewellery? Ever seen a fish that can survive on the land for up to four days? Well, these are not just fictional characters from a comic book, but real animal species. And guess what, they are found in India!
Yes, you heard it right. According to a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report released on Monday, over 200 such unusual animal and plant species have been discovered in the Himalayan region in the last six years.
The report named “Hidden Himalayas: Asia’s Wonderland” was released in Bhutan and has interesting details of species found by different scientists and organisations in areas including Bhutan, north-east India, Nepal, the far north of Myanmar and the southern parts of Tibet.
The 211 new species that have been discovered include 133 plants, 39 invertebrates, 26 fish, 10 amphibians, one reptile, one bird and one mammal.
1. A snake that looks like a jewellery
A new pit viper with a unique skin design that showcases an ornate yellow, red and orange pattern has been found. At the first glance, it looks more like a carefully crafted piece of jewellery.
2. A blue eyed frog
3. A critically endangered monkey with an upturned nose
Called Rhinopithecus Stryker, this snub-nosed monkey is also called “Sneezing Monkey” because they often get rainwater in their upturned noses causing them to sneeze whenever it rains.
“To avoid this evolutionary inconvenience, snub-nosed monkeys spend rainy days sitting with their heads tucked between their knees,” said the report.
4. A singing bird
Found in West Bengal, India, this unusual fish species is air breather. If they are denied access to the surface they die from oxygen starvation. This snakehead fish is able to breathe atmospheric air and can even survive on land for up to four days.
In the last six years, a sneezing money, Dracula fish and walking fish are some of the 211 species that have been found in the Eastern Himalayas. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in a report titled as 'Hidden Himalayas: Asia's Wonderland' compiled a survey of wildlife discovered by scientists across Bhutan, north-east India, Nepal, north Myanmar and southern Tibet. The survey has been conducted in a bid to raise awareness of the threats facing the ecologically sensitive region.
Facts you should know about the species found in the Himalayas:
It was in the year 2010 when scientists learned about a black and white monkey in the forests of northern Myanmar
In 2011, the scientists discovered a large group of this class of monkey in China
According to them, the monkey has an upturned nose that causes him to sneeze when it rains
According to the release, on rainy days the monkeys often sat with their heads tucked between their knees to avoid getting water in their noses
The species include what the WWF described as a blue-coloured 'walking snakehead fish'
The snakehead fish can breathe air and can survive on land for four days
The walking fish can slide up to 400 metres on wet ground
A Dracula fish has also been discovered in the region. The Dracula minnow was first described in 2009
According to the WWF report, the Dracula fish has fangs at the front of each jaw
In the report, it has also been said that aside from the teeth the fish looks freaky because of its ethereal translucence
The 211 new species discovered between 2009 and 2014 include 133 plants including orchids, 26 kinds of fish, 10 amphibians, 39 invertebrates, one reptile, one bird and a mammal.
The list also include an ornate red, yellow and orange pit viper that, according to the WWF officials, can be worn like a piece of jewellery and three new types of bananas.
“They prefer to target their prey from below, often lunging upwards from the bottom to grab fish and other creatures,” the report said.
MORE INFORMATION for INTERESTED!!!!!
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.
WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
A global biodiversity hotspot, the Eastern Himalayas is one of the world’s biologically richest areas. Very few places on earth can match its breathtaking splendor and its diverse array of flora and fauna. Its rich natural resources provide a source of livelihoods for many both within and outside the region.
Therefore, the discovery of 211 new species between 2009 and 2014 adds to our appreciation of the region’s immense value. With more than 60 of these new species discovered in Nepal, it further validates the vast natural richness of our Eastern Himalayas.
While we are still enriching our knowledge of the Eastern Himalayas through such discoveries and scientific research, the ecosystems within the region continue to provide several vital contributions to our economies and lives. Its forest and perennial rivers ensure continued access to water, energy, food and livelihoods for half a billion people. Thus, preserving the Eastern Himalayas’ incredible biodiversity and natural resources is critical not only for Nepal but for the whole of South Asia.
However, our region is also gravely threatened by climate change. We are already experiencing extreme floods, droughts and storms. As these impacts of climate change increase, the existing free ecosystem services may be affected adversely.
Hence, we must work together to ensure that regional mechanisms are in place to respond to climate change. We must recognize the importance of the Eastern Himalayas and continue to enhance monitoring of the Himalayan ecosystem, and equip ourselves with tools to adapt to the impacts of climate change. We must conserve our shared natural heritage.
The Eastern Himalayas is not just an important place for its natural wonders and rare wildlife but the local people’s traditions, lifestyles and livelihoods have been shaped by the environment here. Its snowcapped mountains and forests, that feed our perennial rivers, are a lifeline to millions of people and are critical to the economies of the countries that share the region. However, this treasure trove of ours is also a region most at risk from climate change. It is adversely impacting the Himalayas’ biodiversity and ecosystem services through increased temperature, extreme floods, droughts and storms as a result of shifting weather patterns. With the risk of climate change coupled with increasing human pressures and threats, we must continue to enhance monitoring of the Himalayan ecosystem and equip ourselves with tools to adapt to the impacts of climate change. We need to come together to conserve this shared natural heritage. We must ensure that there is balance between development and conservation.
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The discovery of 211 new species from one of the most biologically rich regions of the world is a
celebration of the amazing gift of nature. With discovery, comes the important responsibility to continue protecting and caring for these precious gift that this world has been blessed
with. This is yet another reason why the world must come together to give voice to the voiceless, to build a future where humanity can continue to live in harmony with nature by sharing knowledge, transcending boundaries for the good of our only planet, we call home.”
The Eastern Himalayas – home to the water towers of Asia, some of the world’s most iconic species,
and biologically and culturally diverse landscapes – brings together governments, conservationists and communities in Bhutan, India and Nepal under a common conservation purpose. The new
species discovered in the Eastern Himalayas is testimony of the rich biodiversity of the region
which till today remains to be fully explored. It also underscores the need to work together,
even stronger, both within and beyond national borders to help conserve the natural riches of
this landscape.
These ecosystems continue to provide a source to find new natural wonders, discoveries of which grow every decade.Over 550 new species have been discovered from the Eastern Himalayas over the last 15 years. 211 of these were discovered between 2009 to 2014 . There are a number of opportunities for the three countries’ governments to work individually and together to ensure that the role of natural capital, the primary source of growth, is adequately included in decision-making and development planning.Since the Eastern Himalayas, represent economies that are growing and developing, it is imperative to ensure that the existing biodiversity is protected and there are healthy ecosystems are maintained across the conservation mosaic. Efforts to bring together governments and partnerships and scientific inputs must continue in parallel.
For more information
http://awsassets.wwfindia.org/downloads/wwf_lhi_species_discovery_report__2015_1.pdf
http://www.thebetterindia.com/35798/unusual-plant-and-animal-species-discovered-in-india
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