https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

MP: Rare ‘Hair-Like (Horsehair)’ Worm Spotted in Panna Forests, Showcasing Rich Biodiversity – Details

Unusual Nematomorpha Filmed in Mohandra Range, Reflects Healthy Panna Ecosystem
Indian Masterminds Stories

Panna, Madhya Pradesh: Amidst its reputation as a sanctuary for tigers, leopards, and cheetahs, the forests of Panna are proving their strength as vibrant biodiversity hubs. A curious discovery in the Mohandra Range’s Motidol Beat – captured on video and shared by forest personnel – has underscored this richness.

Unusual Creature Captured on Camera

District Forest Officer (South Forest Division) Anupam Sharma, 2018 batch IFS (Indian Forest Service) officer, confirmed that the creature filmed at wet and muddy terrain within the Mohandra Range appears as a tangled thread. Locally referred to as the horsehair worm, it is scientifically categorised under Nematomorpha. These creatures are known for their transparency and thin, hair-like form, appearing pale brown or white.

Harmless Yet Confusing to Locals

Although its unfamiliar appearance often causes confusion among villagers, the horsehair worm poses no threat to humans or wildlife. DFO Sharma reassured that it neither stings nor bites and is completely harmless.

Discovery Shared by Dedicated Forest Guard

The footage was shot by Beat Guard Arvind Kumar Vishwakarma, who promptly alerted DFO Sharma. Recognising the rarity of the sighting, Sharma shared the video across official social media platforms to raise awareness about Panna’s ecological diversity.

Biodiversity Indicator in Action

Sharma underlined that the presence of this obscure creature is a positive indicator of environmental health in Panna’s wildlands. “Its existence reflects a balanced and thriving ecosystem,” he said, noting that Panna remains home to a broad array of rare and wild species.

Horsehair Worm’s Fascinating Life Cycle

Also known as Gordian worms, horsehair worms exhibit a unique biological cycle. They begin life as internal parasites in insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets. As they mature, they influence the host’s neurological system – compelling it to enter water, where the worm then emerges and persists in aquatic environments for the next phase of its life.



Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Yamuna-Prasad
Thieves Loot IPS Officer’s Lucknow Home: ₹50,000 Cash, Jewelry – Even Bathroom Sinks Stolen
Mohan Yadav urban transformation
CM Mohan Yadav Inaugurates Urban Transformation Summit 2025, Unveils Vision for Smart and Green Cities in Madhya Pradesh
EIL MOA
EIL and IIT Kanpur Sign MoA to Develop Solar-Thermal Tech for Hydrogen Production via Ammonia Cracking
Harpreet Singh Sidhu
Senior IPS Officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu Repatriated to Punjab, Sparks Buzz Over DGP Post
IPS Rachita Juyal
Who Is IPS Rachita Juyal? Uttarakhand Officer Who Resigned After Just 10 Years, VRS Accepted by Govt
IAS M Bharani Kumaar
Who Is IAS M Bharani Kumaar? 2013-Batch Officer Appointed Executive Director, Tea Board Coonoor
IAS officer Vinay  Choubey
Suspended IAS Officer Vinay Choubey Approaches Jharkhand High Court for Bail in Corruption Case
IPS Officer Indian Police Services
Rajwinder Bhatti, GL Singhal, Pramod Kumar Among 19 IPS Officers Retiring in Sept 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Abhay Daga IPS UPSC Success Story
IIT Graduate, Microsoft Alum, Actor, to Cracking UPSC CSE: The Story of Abhay Daga
Read the inspiring journey of Abhay Daga, an IIT graduate, Microsoft alum, and actor, who cleared UPSC...
Rishav Awasthi MPPSC Risabh Awasthi MPPCS
Family’s Dream, His Determination: How Small-Town Dreamer Rishav Awasthi Conquered MPPSC 2024 with Rank 2 | Exclusive
After two failed attempts, Rishav Awasthi secured Rank 2 in MPPSC 2024, driven by family support, self-study,...
Harshita Dave MPPSC 2024
The Girl Who Turned Dreams Into a Deputy Collector Post at 22: Meet MPPSC 2024 Women Topper Harshita Dave
At just 22, Harshita Dave topped MPPSC 2024, becoming the women topper and securing Rank 5. Her journey...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Yamuna-Prasad
Thieves Loot IPS Officer’s Lucknow Home: ₹50,000 Cash, Jewelry – Even Bathroom Sinks Stolen
Mohan Yadav urban transformation
CM Mohan Yadav Inaugurates Urban Transformation Summit 2025, Unveils Vision for Smart and Green Cities in Madhya Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT