New ginger lily species named after Zubeen Garg

A newly identified ginger lily species discovered in West Bengal’s Shillong has been named “Hedychium zubingargianum” in honour of Assamese singer and filmmaker Zubeen Garg, recognising his contributions to music and cinema as well as his advocacy for nature and biodiversity conservation.

Researchers first identified the plant in 2018 at the Botanical Survey of India’s Botanical Garden in Shillong, Meghalaya. They subsequently conducted taxonomic studies on the plant for several years before confirming it as a distinct species.

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The species has a pale, ghee-like flower, bright yellow anthers and finely hairy stalks, features that distinguish it from other known varieties. The fragrant flower's geographical origin and distribution, however, have yet to be established with certainty.

Researchers said they chose the name to honour Garg's significant contribution to Indian music and cinema and his longstanding efforts to promote the conservation of forests, nature and biodiversity.

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This is not the first time a newly identified species has been named after Garg. Earlier this year, a flowering plant discovered in the grasslands of Assam's Manas National Park was named 
“Osbeckia zubengargiana”. In March, a rare butterfly was given the scientific name “Euthalia zubengarg”. An elephant calf born at Kaziranga National Park was also named “Mayabini”, after one of Garg's popular songs.

Garg's legacy has increasingly been linked to the natural landscape of Northeast India, with his name now commemorated through several species and animals alongside his enduring contributions to music and cinema.