Three critically endangered plant species have been identified in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh following a multi-year botanical survey conducted by researchers from academic and scientific institutions, highlighting the ecological significance of the region and the need for stronger conservation measures. The findings were recorded in forested areas across Sri Sathya Sai, Nandyal, and Alluri Sitharamaraju districts, where the species were found in highly restricted habitats. The discovery is important as it adds to documented biodiversity in one of India’s less-explored ecological zones and underscores the vulnerability of narrowly distributed plant species.
The identified species are Euphorbia ananthapuramensis, located in Sri Sathya Sai district; Euphorbia chalamensis, found in Nandyal district; and Ceropegia andhrica, recorded in the Alluri Sitharamaraju district. Researchers said all three species have been classified as critically endangered due to their extremely limited population sizes, restricted distribution, and exposure to environmental pressures.
The study was carried out over a period of approximately five years and involved extensive field surveys, taxonomic analysis, and comparison with national and international herbarium records. Scientists confirmed that the plants had not been previously documented in existing botanical literature. The findings have been submitted to peer-reviewed scientific publications and included in global plant biodiversity databases.
According to researchers, each species was found in a distinct ecological setting. Euphorbia ananthapuramensis grows on exposed granite rock formations, while Euphorbia chalamensis is found in dry deciduous forest zones. The third species, Ceropegia andhrica, was identified in higher altitude forest areas and is known to produce tubers, which are locally consumed in some regions. Scientists noted that unregulated collection of tubers has added pressure on its survival.
Field assessments indicate that each species exists in very small populations, estimated at between 80 and 200 individual plants, confined to areas of less than 2.5 square kilometres in some cases. Researchers said such limited distribution makes them highly susceptible to habitat disturbance, climate variability, and human activity.
The study was led by botanists including K. Prasad, along with collaborators from universities and research institutions in Andhra Pradesh and other parts of India. Researchers said the Eastern Ghats continue to reveal previously undocumented species despite being a long-studied mountain range, pointing to gaps in biodiversity documentation and the need for continued field research.
Scientists identified multiple threats to these species, including habitat loss due to mining activities, expansion of agriculture, uncontrolled grazing, and recurring forest fires. Infrastructure development and forest fragmentation were also cited as contributing factors affecting the stability of plant populations in the region.
Researchers have recommended several conservation measures, including in-situ protection of habitats, regular population monitoring, restriction of extractive activities in sensitive zones, and community-based awareness programmes. They also suggested integrating these species into regional conservation planning frameworks to ensure long-term protection.
Experts involved in the study said that some of the species belong to plant groups with known medicinal or ethnobotanical value. However, they cautioned that unsustainable harvesting practices could further endanger already fragile populations.
The findings contribute to ongoing scientific efforts to document biodiversity in the Eastern Ghats, a region recognised for its ecological diversity but less studied compared to other biodiversity hotspots in India. Conservation researchers said that continued surveys are essential to identify additional species that may still be undocumented.
Officials and scientists said the discovery highlights the importance of protecting remaining natural habitats and strengthening biodiversity conservation strategies in Andhra Pradesh’s forest regions. Further studies are planned to assess population trends and evaluate long-term conservation requirements for these and other species in the Eastern Ghats.
