A rare Himalayan berry species believed to have disappeared from scientific records since the 19th century has been rediscovered in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, sparking excitement among researchers and curiosity among locals who consider the fruit a natural energy booster.
Scientists recently identified Vaccinium piliferum , an endangered wild relative of blueberry, during field surveys in Vijoynagar in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district. The rediscovery comes nearly 188 years after the species was first documented during the colonial era.
Locals in the region claim the berry helps improve energy levels and physical performance, giving rise to comparisons with the mythical “Sanjeevani Buti” often associated with healing powers in Indian folklore.
