A team of 12 scientists has officially discovered a new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, lurking within the lush foliage of the Kachugaon area near Assam’s Raimona National Park. Announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, the discovery underscores the critical ecological importance of the Kokrajhar district. The findings, recently published in the prestigious scientific journal Zootaxa, reveal a species unique to the region, promptly named in honor of the national park to celebrate its thriving wildlife.
Chief Minister Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to hail the find as a “remarkable discovery,” noting that it reinforces Assam’s status as a global biodiversity hotspot. Beyond the excitement of a new name on the species list, Sarma emphasized a renewed governmental commitment to habitat protection. The state plans to ramp up scientific research initiatives to ensure that these fragile ecosystems—and the rare creatures within them—are shielded from the pressures of modern development.
A remarkable discovery from Assam.
A new species of gecko, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, has been found near Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district, and named after the park itself, highlighting the rich biodiversity of our state.
We will continue to protect these habitats… pic.twitter.com/iW9NMXliDV
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 13, 2026
The discovery of the Raimona gecko adds a fresh chapter to Assam’s long history of hosting species found nowhere else on earth. The state is already the primary guardian of several high-stakes animals, including:
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Pygmy Hog: The world’s rarest wild pig, almost exclusively found in Assam.
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Golden Langur: An iconic primate limited to western Assam and Bhutan.
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Assam Roofed Turtle: A rare freshwater dweller synonymous with the state’s river systems.
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White-winged Duck: A critically endangered bird that finds its last strongholds in the Northeast.
By documenting Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, researchers hope to unlock further funding and conservation interest for the Raimona landscape, ensuring that the “natural legacy” mentioned by the Chief Minister survives for the next generation of explorers.
