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A. Chettri , S. K. Barik , H. N. Pandey , M. K. Lyngdoh

Abstract

The pattern of forest fragmentation was studied in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim (KBR) and tree diversity was correlated with fragment size. A total of 23 forestfragments were identified in the KBR after intensive survey, of which ten fragments were in temperate forest, 12 in sub-alpine forest and one in sub-tropical forest. Maximum numbers of fragments were in 2-6 ha size classes. Landslide, wind storm and grazing by livestock herds were identified as the causes of forest fragmentation in KBR. The fragmentation of forest significantly impacted species composition, and community structure of trees in the forest, as evidenced from the differences in these attributes between the fragments and adjacent continuous forests.

Keywords

Forest Fragmentation, Tree Diversity, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve,
Sikkim

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K. Upadhaya , H. N. Pandey , P. S. Law , R. S. Tripathi

Abstract

Sacred groves are patches of virgin forests, protected by the indigenous people as a part of their culture and religious beliefs. The paper records 69 species of ethnobotanical importance used by the Jaintia tribe living around Ialong and Raliang sacred groves in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.

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S. Alemmeren Jamir , H. N. Pandey

Abstract

In three sacred groves of Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) , covering a total area of approximately 28 ha , a total of 395 plant species was found distributed in 108 families. Proximity of this region to the species-rich regions of Eastern Himalayas , Myanmar , and South-Central China has resulted in high species and family richness of the groves. Complex community structure with many growth forms has also contributed to species richness. However , cultural and developmental activities have posed serious threats to the very survival of these groves.

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O. P. Tripathi , H. N. Pandey , R. S. Tripathi

Abstract

The varied physiography, soil and climatic conditions are responsible for the development of sub-tropical evergreen, sub-tropical semi-evergreen, broad-leaved, sal and sub-tropical pine forests in the State of Meghalaya. The sub-tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and broad leaved forests are very rich in tree as well as other plant species as compared to sal and pine forests. Biotic factor, particularly human interference in the form of shifting agriculture, timber extraction and fuelwood collection, and to a lesser extent, cattle grazing have accelerated the fragmentation process of these forests, except at few places where continuous forest patch exceeds 50 km² area. Fragmentation of the forest may have serious consequences on species composition and community structure of trees in the forest communities of the state. This study shows that all of them are highly disturbed as is evident from high frequency of smallsize patches. Pine forests are most disturbed. An obvious approach to conserve plant biodiversity would be to map distribution pattern and determine concentration of biodiversity and endemic species in the forest fragments.

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H. N. Pandey ¹

Affiliations
1 Bharti Institute of Research and Development, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

The issue of engendering development and women empowerment has been in the central stage with the shifting of paradigm of development and governance at the global level and particularly in India. Women empowerment and gender mainstreaming have been main agenda of development planning and governance in India. Women belonging to minority communities' viz., Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi are lagging behind as against women from General religions, caste and communities. In view of the empowering women from minorities, a centrally sponsored scheme was introduced by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India and subsequently shifted to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India has adopted the scheme with the change in focus and content. The scheme has been rechristened as Leadership Development Scheme for Minority Women and it was launched massively during 2012. Against this backdrop, present paper purports to examine the profile of the women belonging to minority communities under the leadership development scheme. The study also attempts to assess the impact of leadership training.

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