Materials for the Flora of Arunachal Pradesh (Vol. 1)

Arunachal – the land of the rising sun, in the extreme north-eastern corner of India covers an area of 83740 sp. km. It lies between 26o 28′ and 29o 30′ north latitude and 90o 30′ and 97o 30′ east longitude. It is bounded in the north by Mc-Mohan Line, in the east by China and Burma (Myanmar), in the south by the states of Nagaland and Assam and in the west by Bhutan. Arunachal Pradesh, in the extreme north-eastern corner of the country, harbours a very rich and diverse flora. Its unique phytogeographical position, topography and high degree of precipitation are some of the important factors which are mainly responsible for its enormous biological diversity comparatively in such a small area. Arunachal may also be regarded as a store house of many wild relatives of economic plants. These wild genetic resources of agri-horticultural importance are of immense value to the mankind in the present day world under the pressure of rapidly multiplying human population. The ruthless destruction and unplanned exploitation of natural living resources by human for various purposes necessitates appropriate measures towards germplasm conservation for future generations. In the fast developing states like Arunachal Pradesh the natural vegetation has been continuously and increasingly under pressure, and even before an inventory of the plant resources of the region could be undertaken, the ecological disasters have begun to take toll of several species. In order to cope with the increased domestic requirements for food, cloth and shelter, etc., owing to the population explosion, it has become essential to conserve and make the best use of all our natural resources.