Impatiens nimspurjai

Why in news?

Impatiens nimspurjai is a newly identified species of flowering plant discovered recently.

• Location – Myagdi district of Nepal.
• Discovery – Botanist Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti first observed the plant during a survey in 2011.
  • Following a decade research it is notified as distinct species.
• Nomenclature – It was named in honour of the legendary Nepali mountaineer Nirmal "Nimsdai" Purja to commemorate his campaigns.
• The botanical name combines "Nims Purja" with "jai", the Nepali word for jasmine.

• Genus – Impatiens
• Family – Balsaminaceae

• It is locally known in Nepal as tiuri (touch-me-not balsams).

• Characteristics –
  • It is an annual herb that grows up to nearly a metre in height.
  • It features stalkless (sessile), oblong-to-lanceolate leaves and small clusters of flowers flushed with yellow and tinged with purple.
• Habitat – The plant is endemic to the Myagdi District of western Nepal.

• It thrives on humid, humus-rich slopes and temperate forest margins at high altitudes of 2,800 to 2,900 metres.

Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja

• In 2019, he climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre-plus peaks in just six months and six days and broke all previous records.
• The United Nations Environment Programme later recognised him as a Mountain Advocate for his work.
• Through the Nimsdai Foundation, Purja has championed efforts to protect high-altitude environments, most notably through the Big Mountain Cleanup.
  • It aims to tackle the huge quantities of abandoned expedition waste on the world's highest peaks.

Reference

Times of India| Impatiens nimspurjai