Medicinal plants are a valuable resource for regionaleconomic development in the tropics, and the EasternHimalaya in particular harbours many such species.Extensive deforestation and over-exploitation in thisregion have brought several species to the brink ofextinction, and Coptis teeta is such an endangeredspecies; yet scientific information for its conservationis lacking. Investigations on the distribution range, demography,ecology, cytology, reproductive biologyand population genetic structure of C. teeta werecarried out; it was found to be endemic to a small area,to occupy a very narrow habitat and to be highly dispersedwith very small population sizes. Edaphicfactors were found to have played a vital role inecological preference, natural distribution and evolutionarydivergence of the species. The species exhibitsa ‘K’ strategy, high male sterility, low reproductivesuccess and efficiency, inadequate seed dispersal, andlittle genetic variability. A combination of these genetichurdles and external threats in the form of habitatdisturbance and over-exploitation for commercialpurposes could result in its extinction. The species wasfound to have highly specific microsite requirementsthat cannot be met in other habitats. It is argued thatin situ conservation measures would be the best strategyfor the continued survival of this species. Foreffective management of the species it is recommendedthat its habitat be declared a protectedarea with the active cooperation of local inhabitantsincluding the sharing of benefits of conservation.