Author name: OnlineAge

ITANAGAR : Researchers have discovered two new species of rare solitary bees in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang Valley, highlighting the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas and the need to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem, officials said on Tuesday. The two species – Elaphropoda Triangulata and Habropoda Adi – were discovered by researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, during the recent Siang Expedition. The findings have been published in the European Journal of Taxonomy, the officials said. The researchers said Elaphropoda Triangulata was named after the triangular markings on its abdomen, while Habropoda Adi was named in honour of the Adi indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh. According to the study, each species is currently known from only one male specimen, making the discovery significant. The researchers said more surveys are needed to understand their distribution, ecology and conservation status. Solitary bees are important pollinators that help maintain healthy ecosystems and support agriculture. Unlike honeybees, they do not live in colonies and usually nest alone. The researchers cautioned that habitat loss, infrastructure development and other human activities could threaten the survival of these newly discovered species. They stressed the need to conserve the forests and natural habitats of the Eastern Himalayas, one of the world’s recognised biodiversity hotspots. The discovery adds to the growing list of new species being reported from Arunachal Pradesh, which is known for its rich wildlife and largely unexplored forests. Welcoming the development, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, in a social media post, said the discovery of the two rare solitary bee species reflects the state’s extraordinary natural wealth and scientific importance. He said the findings not only highlight the exceptional biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas, but also reinforce the need to conserve the region’s fragile ecosystems. Mein congratulated the researchers from ATREE for the achievement, and said such discoveries strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s position as a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, deserving sustained conservation efforts. (Source: PTI)

ITANAGAR : Fresh floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain disrupted road connectivity and damaged public infrastructure in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, an official statement said. The ongoing spell of rain-triggered floods and landslides has so far claimed seven lives and left 29 people injured across the state. At least 97,182 people have been affected by the flood in 425 villages in all 26 districts. The calamity has caused widespread damage to agriculture and public infrastructure. A total of 541.75 hectares of crop area has been affected, while around 1,010 hectares of forest area has also been impacted. Infrastructure losses include damage to 150 roads, 19 bridges, 21 culverts, 221 water supply systems, 58 government buildings, 156 power lines, 224 electric poles, 10 hydel projects, two hospitals and three schools. Hundreds of houses have also been damaged across the state, the statement added. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the Kumey River early on Monday triggered flash floods in Kurung Kumey district, causing extensive damage in Parsi-Parlo circle and Damin sub-division. In Damin sub-division, a bridge connecting Huri and Damin was washed away, snapping road connectivity. An Anganwadi Centre was completely damaged, while an inspection bungalow, a rice mill, churches, prayer houses and other public infrastructure sustained significant damage. The Inspection Bungalow was inundated, a church was damaged, and a bridge connecting Pagam village was washed away, the statement said. The floods also caused extensive damage to St Thomas School, a prominent educational institution in the area. The entire campus was submerged, damaging buildings, classrooms, teaching materials, furniture, equipment and teachers’ quarters, it said, adding that academic activities have been halted. The flash floods severely affected transportation, public infrastructure and residential properties. The district administration is coordinating with paramilitary forces, police and other stakeholders to assess the damage and carry out relief measures. A detailed assessment is underway to ascertain the extent of the damage and identify immediate restoration requirements, the statement said. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Nabam Tajik said that among the worst-affected areas is Huri, where the 66-metre bailey hanging bridge connecting Damin and Huri was washed away, cutting off the village from the rest of the district. Tajik said the district administration is coordinating with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to restore the bridge, with restoration expected to take approximately two weeks. The flood also washed away the Luksang Valley Bridge and the recently inaugurated Hutar Valley Bridge, both under the BRO. In addition, several Wire Rope Suspension Bridges (WRSBs) across Kumey and Tamin rivers were either damaged or washed away, disrupting connectivity to villages including Machang, Huri, Ruba, Katuk, Pagam, Pachik, Chote, Lania, Mangio, Dalang, Pachang, Nyokuriang, Pado, Yaluha, Seriang and Tawariang. In Pakke Kessang district, a massive landslide blocked National Highway 13 near Pakro village on Monday. District officials said restoration of the affected stretch is expected to take two to three days. The district administration has advised commuters to avoid travelling on the Itanagar-Seppa Road until further notice. In West Kameng district, a portion of the road leading to the Sela Tunnel was washed away due to heavy rainfall. Authorities have advised commuters to use the old Sela Road as an alternative route. The Potin-Kimin Road in Papum Pare district has remained blocked since Sunday evening after a landslide near Shiv Mandir. Flood was reported from Lower Dibang Valley and West Siang, while, heavy rainfall affected Papum Pare and Kamle and a landslide incident was reported from the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR). In Lower Dibang Valley, the affected circles were Dambuk, Koronu and Roing. The affected locations included Sisiri river, Dambuk, Poplung, Bizari, Chake village, Samak river, Simar Korong, Cheta Nallah and Sita Nallah. In West Siang, the affected circles were Darak, Kamba and Yomcha and the affected villages and localities included Poyom, ADC Complex Kamba, Kesitali, Dego Kamki, NEC Farm Kamba, Siru Tali, Seri Tali, Kesi Tali, Yaki Tato, Nomu, Libu Bene, Nomuk Bagra, Nomuk Momir, Hipin Karbak and Karbak Moku. In Papum Pare, Jote village under Sangdupota circle was affected, while Dollungmukh village under Dollungmukh circle in Kamle district also reported heavy rain-related impacts. In the ICR, Sanglo Putung-II under Naharlagun circle was affected by a landslide. In East Kameng, flood affected Lower Taruso Colony and Kameng Tempa under Seppa circle. (Source: PTI)      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : Capital Police has cracked the sensational Rs 13 lakh daylight robbery at Neelam Traders in Gandhi Market with the arrest of all three accused following a nearly three-week-long investigation, Itanagar Superintendent of Police (SP) Jummar Basar informed in a press conference held on Monday. Basar said the robbery took place on June 22 at around 11:19 am when two persons entered the shop on the pretext of seeking assistance and viewing CCTV footage related to allegedly lost items. Once inside, one of the accused brandished a knife concealed inside a file cover, threatened the cashier and fled with around Rs.13 lakh in cash, while a third accomplice remained outside to keep watch. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras. The SP said the case initially posed significant challenges as the accused had meticulously planned the robbery by changing clothes, avoiding CCTV-covered routes and concealing their movements. The investigation was further hampered as Smart City CCTV cameras along the suspected escape routes were not operational. To crack the case, a special investigation team headed by the SDPO Itanagar and the Officer-in-Charge of Itanagar Police Station was constituted. The team scrutinised more than 500 hours of CCTV footage from private establishments and other locations, besides carrying out technical analysis, mobile phone tracking, source development, witness examination and extensive field verification. Basar said the investigation led to the identification of the accused as Prem Rebe, Gungung Tagang and Yubi Kamchi. While Prem Rebe and Gungung Tagang allegedly entered the shop and executed the robbery, Yubi Kamchi acted as the lookout outside. Following the robbery, the accused fled towards Seppa and frequently changed locations across East Kameng district, Assam and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh in an attempt to evade arrest, the SP said. However, sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering enabled police to trace and arrest Gungung Tagang and Yubi Kamchi at Seppa with the assistance of Seppa Police. Basar informed that the prime accused, Prem Rebe, continued to evade arrest by moving between resorts and temporary accommodations while spending the stolen money. After nearly three weeks of sustained efforts, he too was tracked down and arrested at Seppa with the assistance of East Kameng Police. The investigation further revealed that a substantial portion of the looted cash had been spent on purchasing a four-wheeler, two-wheelers, mobile phones and other valuables. Police have recovered several of these assets, while funds lying in one of the accused’s bank accounts have also been frozen. The SP appreciated the support extended by East Kameng Police, particularly the Officer-in-Charge of Seppa Police Station, Constable Shankar Taniang and Constable Sanu Raj of Naharlagun Police Station, in successfully apprehending the accused. Basar said the case was solved through sustained field operations, technical investigation and effective inter-district coordination despite the absence of continuous CCTV coverage and the accused’s deliberate attempts to conceal their identities and movements.