Current Affairs - Science - Discussion

The rare mushroom species Hemileccinum indicum was discovered in the oak forests of Uttarakhand, specifically in the Dhakuri region of Bageshwar district at elevations above 2,600 metres. This finding is scientifically significant as it marks the first recorded presence of the genus Hemileccinum in India. The discovery was made through systematic macrofungal surveys and confirmed using advanced molecular phylogenetic analysis. Beyond taxonomy, the species plays an important ecological role by forming symbiotic relationships with oak trees, enhancing nutrient cycling and forest health, and highlighting the rich yet underexplored fungal biodiversity of the Himalayan region.