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Rhopaloblaste augusta (Kurz) H. E. Moore is one of the threatened palm species endemic to Nicobar Islands. In order to know the distribution and conservation status of this palm, Maxent ecological niche modelling was used to predict the accurate distribution. The study revealed that high potential distribution of R. augusta was found in Great Nicobar and Car Nicobar islands; of the ten spatially unique points, six were from Great Nicobar, two from Camorta and one each from Katchall and Car Nicobar Islands. For islands like Tarassa, Chowra, Battimlav, Tinket and Nancowry, the model predicted significant influence of environmental variables in the distribution of species. High precipitation in warmest quarter, above 18 °C annual mean temperature and less temperature seasonality are the variables influencing distribution of this species. The islands of Nicobar group are rich in palm resources; however, habitats are extremely fragile owing to the prevalence of intense biotic and abiotic pressure. Urgent conservation initiatives are required to protect the existing endemic species richness of these islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]