Q. Recently, a group of researchers discovered a 'Myristica swamp forest' in which state?
Answer:
Maharashtra
Notes: Researchers recently found a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral, Maharashtra, protected by the local community. Myristica swamps are freshwater habitats dominated by evergreen trees from the Myristicaceae family. These swamps are called living fossils due to their ancient origin of 140 million years. They have large roots protruding from waterlogged soil, which stays flooded all year. Found mainly in the Western Ghats, they also exist in the Andaman, Nicobar Islands, and Meghalaya. These swamps depend on valley shape, heavy rainfall (3000 mm), and water availability. They retain water like a sponge and store more carbon than regular forests. They support diverse species, such as the Myristica Swamp Treefrog in Kerala sanctuaries.