Gecko found in Assam, dragonfly in Arunachal: Northeast buzzing with discoveries

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha) : Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently shared news of a small lizard-like creature spotted in Goalpara district. Meanwhile, researchers in the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh found a rare dragonfly that hadn't been seen in the state for over a century.

The bent-toed gecko, known scientifically as Cyrtodactylus bapme, turned up in the hills around Urpad Beel, which is a wetland area.

Originally described a few years ago from nearby Meghalaya, this marks the first confirmed record of the gecko in Assam. And it has been a long time coming.

Geckos like this one are masters of camouflage, blending into rocks and leaves by day and becoming active at night. Furthermore, their presence signals that the ecosystem remains healthy enough to support specialised animals that depend on clean, safe, and undisturbed spots.

Return of the Dragonfly:

Not far away, in Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve, a team of researchers spotted the Long-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly during a routine survey last October.This insect, with its impressive flight and keen eyesight, was last documented in the state back in 1914. Its return after 110 years feels almost like a reunion with a long-lost neighbour.

Dragonflies need clean water and healthy forests to survive. And they need to survive as they act as natural pest controllers and serve as important signs of environmental quality.