Agarwood species Aquilaria khasiana, once believed to grow only in Meghalaya, has now been confirmed in Assam’s Jeypore Reserve Forest. This major discovery expands its range and offers fresh hope in the fight to save it.
In Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, only nine Aquilaria khasiana were found in 2016. By 2023–24, just five remained. Their future is precarious: the last mature individual faces threats from pest damage and habitat decline.
In stark contrast, Assam’s Jeypore Reserve Forest hosts over 210 mature trees, a robust population that may shield the species from extinction. This significant find adds a crucial new habitat.
Researchers used both traditional morphology and DNA barcoding to confirm Assam’s trees as Aquilaria khasiana. They also sequenced its complete chloroplast genome — the first time ever for this species.
Genetic mapping revealed a surprise: Aquilaria khasiana clusters with Gyrinops walla, a species native to Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats. This cross-regional link challenges assumptions about agarwood evolution.
Agarwood, also called oud, gaharu, or eaglewood, yields a rare resin used in perfumery, incense, and traditional remedies. Its high fragrance value makes it one of the world’s most sought‑after natural scents.
Despite Assam’s newfound population, Aquilaria khasiana remains “Critically Endangered” due to high international trade and exploitation in the wild. Over 80 percent of its wild population has been lost to fires, logging, pests, and land use change. The species is still perilously close to extinction.
Conservation experts urge Assam and Meghalaya to retain their International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status and act fast: protect habitats, enforce anti-logging measures, monitor populations, and launch joint species‑recovery programmes.
The discovery in Assam is a rare instance, but now urgent action is needed: secure the Jeypore population, study genetic diversity, and preserve this fragrant legacy for cultural and ecological resilience.
Representational image