Pinanga Andamanensis

WHY IN NEWS?

Recently, Pinanga andamanensis which is rare palim has been successfully cultivated at Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) based at Palode, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).

ABOUT 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• JNTBGRI will resume seed germination experiments for mass multiplication as part of the conservation strategy.