Context: Gynacantha khasiaca
Rare dragonfly Gynacantha khasiaca, also known as Long-tailed Duskhawker, was rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha landscape after about 110 years, highlighting the importance of habitat conservation in the Eastern Himalayas.
Species Basics
- Gynacantha khasiaca is a rare dragonfly known as Long-tailed Duskhawker.
- Order: Odonata, which includes dragonflies and damselflies.
- Features: Near-360° vision, two compound eyes with thousands of lenses, and ability to hover or stay still in air.
- Dragonflies are important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve
- Located in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh, near the India-Myanmar border.
- One of India’s largest protected areas and a biodiversity hotspot.
- Declared National Park in 1983.
- Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
- Important river: Noa-Dihing River flows through the park.
- Unique for presence of tropical rainforest to alpine vegetation in one landscape.
- Known for four major big cats: Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard.
Protected Areas of Arunachal Pradesh
Tiger Reserves
- Namdapha Tiger Reserve
- Kamlang Tiger Reserve
National Parks
- Namdapha National Park
- Mouling National Park
Important Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Pakke / Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary
- Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sessa Orchid Sanctuary
Important Facts
- India has about 504 species of Odonata; Arunachal Pradesh alone has around 110 species.
- Long-tailed Duskhawker has also been recorded from Assam, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and West Bengal.
- Rediscovery highlights the ecological importance of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
