Mexico: Swale paintbrush, a rare desert flower found only in southwest regions of New Mexico, is now becoming endangered, as per the declaration by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Efforts are now being made to save the plant from its disappearance. Climate change, overgrazing, and so on have threatened the survival of this plant. I was first discovered in the 1890s in some parts of Mexico. However, in the 1990s, its small population was found in the Animas Valley of New Mexico, considered to be the flower’s last habitat.
Experts of the Center for Biological Diversity believe the downfall of the plant was never noticed for years, leaving cattle to damage a huge part of desert grasslands. Full focus is now being given to saving the endangered species and protecting this unique flower. The protection journey of the swale paintbrush had got underway in 2007. But till 2020, all the actions were taken casually until a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity showed urgency and directed the agency to act for the plant’s survival.
The government of Mexico and several other organizations have been trying to save the plant from its extinction. Their efforts have gone futile. At present, all eyes are on conservationists’ and other agencies for its survival. The Endangered Species Act has the quality to prevent the rare species from elimination.
The next step is to monitor the plant minutely in its habitat; there is a need to stop grazing activities and keep it alive so that upcoming generations can see the beauty of this rare desert flower.
