Source: Twitter
Imphal, April 13: Two scientists have found a new species of Cherry Blossom, popularly known as Sakura in Japanese, in Manipur. The two scientists are Biseshwori Thongam and Jenifer N Mekrini of Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD),Imphal.
They named the new species as Prunus Dinabandhuana (Family Rosaceae) taking the first name of Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, a botanist, considering his outstanding contributions in large scale cherry plantations in different states of North East and organising India's first cherry blossom festival in Shillong in 2016, when he was the Director of IBSD.
Prof Sahoo is presently Director, Centre for Himalayan Studies, Director, Cluster Innovation Centre, Senior Professor Department of Botany, University of Delhi and a former Vice Chancellor, FM University Odisha.
The new plants grow up to 25-30 meters in dense mixed evergreen forest and unlike Japanese cherry blossoms which bloom during March-April, this new species bloom in November.
Informing this in a press release, the Assistant Director Dr Avitoli G Zhimo of Centre for Himalayan Studies University of Delhi on Monday, said, "Their findings are now published in the latest issue of a reputed International scientific journal "Annales Botanici Fennici" vol. 59 (105-109) Helsinki, Finland. This is a rare honour for any Indian to be named after a Cherry species."
Through Prof Sahoo's sustained efforts, the First Manipur Cherry Blossom Festival was also held at Mao, the border town of Manipur located about 110 km north of Imphal in collaboration with the State Government in 2017 and many including the state cabinet turned up for their participation.
Since then the festival has become an annual event in the Northeastern state, forcing the researchers to continue their legacy and explore the presence of new species.
