The research team of Nagaland University has documented the genetic diversity and climate adaptability of Musa sikkimensis , popularly known as the ‘Darjeeling banana’. Their findings, published in *Flora and Fauna*, highlight the species’ potential to strengthen food security and sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. Key Developments Identification of several previously unclassified genotypes through collaboration across Northeast and Southern India. Demonstration of strong adaptive potential of local banana germplasm across diverse climatic zones. Establishment of a Banana Biodiversity Corridor at the university’s Department of Horticulture. Recognition of the ethno‑botanical importance of wild bananas for indigenous communities, including uses in food, fibre, medicine and cultural rituals. Important Facts The study underscores the species as a vital reservoir for key resilience traits needed for future banana breeding. Farmers’ shift toward hybrid and tissue‑culture varieties may accelerate loss of wild genotypes. Potential applications include development of high‑yielding, disease‑resistant cultivars and novel value‑added products such as fibre‑based materials and health beverages. The corridor combines in‑situ and ex‑situ strategies, ensuring long‑term germplasm security. UPSC Relevance Understanding the role of wild crop relatives like Musa sikkimensis aligns with GS3 topics on agriculture, food security, and climate‑smart farming. The concept of germplasm conservation is a recurring theme in questions on biodiversity, sustainable development, and biotechnology. Moreover, the Banana Biodiversity Corridor exemplifies policy‑driven in‑situ and ex‑situ conservation, relevant for discussions on environmental governance. Way Forward Strengthen farmer awareness programmes on the value of wild germplasm to curb the shift to uniform tissue‑culture varieties. Expand the corridor model to other crop species, integrating community participation for ethno‑botanical knowledge. Promote collaborative breeding projects that harness the disease‑resistance and climate‑adaptability traits of Musa sikkimensis for developing resilient banana cultivars. Allocate research funding for molecular characterization of wild genotypes to accelerate climate‑resilient crop development.