Panna Deb , R. C. Sundriyal , Uma Shankar

Abstract

The tropical rainforests in North-East India are the least investigated despite their high diversity and being located at the northern-most limit of the rainforests that occur farthest from the equator. The lowland tropical rainforests at Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalayas) were investigated for tree species diversity, population structure and species richness with reference to three distinct canopy covers, viz. an Altingia-mixed species stand, Shorea-Dipterocarp stand, and an Albizia stand. A total of 1,053 trees covering 130 species in 44 families were recorded at ≥10 cm dbh, while 34,526 individuals covering 104 species in 44 families were enumerated at <10 cm dbh. The tree species richness for three inventoried stands varied from 98, 54 and 20 species in ≥10 cm dbh with overall density of 418, 390 and 245 trees ha^-1 for the three stands respectively. Lauraceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fagaceae and Leguminosae dominated the flora; thus the forest exhibited typical attributes of lowland evergreen tropical rainforests.

Keywords

Species Diversity, Tree Structure, Conservation, Namdapha National Park, North-East India

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R. C. Sundriyal

Abstract

This paper highlights strategy for large scale cultivation and long-term conservation of medicinal plants involving different stakeholders in the Himalaya. It is emphasized that the focus of the cultivation could be protection of endangered species and/or achieving the target of higher income by raising and cultivating market demanding species. The paper discusses selection of potential Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) broadly recommended for the region and ways and means of domestication, value addition, product formulation, processing, conservation, infrastructure, and R&D support desired for cultivation of medicinal plants. Designs for marketing and possible funding sources are also given. It is highlighted that if cultivation of MAPs is planned properly, it could emerge as a potential sector to support largc number of people with high revenue generation.

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H. Birkumar Singh , R. C. Sundriyal , E. Sharma

Abstract

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR), with a total area of 1,784 km² in core zone and 825.92 km² in buffer zone, is a representative of Eastern Himalayan region due to its unique habitats, exhilarating thick forests, rich flora & fauna, and famous mountain ranges including those of massive Khangchendzonga, the third highest mountain peak in the world. Local communities, to meet their various needs, i.e. fuel, fodder, timber, wild edibles and medicinal plants, have traditionally been using the biosphere reserve. Animals for grazing visit the rcserve area, and a large share of local economy is dependent on the animals and their products. This paper attempts to analyze livestock economy and grazing pattern and the carrying capacity of the biosphere reserve. The economy of the people at higher elevation was mainly/totally dependent on animals and their products. This dependence increases with increase in elevation. It was found that, barring a few areas which are extensively grazed, the present level of grazing is within grazing limits of the reserve. However, there is an increasing trend of rearing more number of animals for meeting economic needs, that will certainly augment the grazing pressure in near future. It is highly desirable that the villages and other nearby areas should be planted with more fodder species, and community should be motivated for raising good quality animals to reduce pressure on KBR. At the same time the villagers should also be involved in decision-making for developing the grazing regulation and other management plans for the KBR area.

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Manju Sundriyal , R. C. Sundriyal

Abstract

The present study was undedaken with the objectives to study germination and vegetative propagation of six most preferred wild edible fruit species, which bear maximum biotic pressure in natural habitats in the Sikkim Himalaya. All the species had fairly good seed germination (70-100%} except for Baccaurea sapida (34-50%). Seeds of Spondias axillaris showed viability up to 390 days, Machilus edulis 250 days, B. sapida 150-180 days, Eleagnus latirolia 70 days and Diploknema butyracea 50 days. Observations on stem sprouting and ischolar_maining were made in different seasons after treating stem cuttings with growth hormones, and it varied significantly among species. For Diploknema butyracea, 75% stem cuttings recorded sprouted while for Eriolobus indica and Eleagnus latifolia only <40% stem cuttings sprouted. Increased concentration ofIAA, IRA and NAA adversely affected sprouting of all the species. No sprouting was recorded for Machilus edulis and Baccaurea sapida in any treatment as well as in control set. It was recorded that though the species have good germination at nursery condition, the plant dwellers collect maximum fruits from all accessible locations from wild forest stands. To conserve species from over-exploitation, these species need to be included in afforestation programmes and in agroforestry systems so that farmers may get better economic returns from them, at the same time species may be protected in natural habitats.

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Panna Deb , R. C. Sundriyal , Uma Shankar

Abstract

The tropical rainforests in the northeast India are least investigated despite of their higb diversity and being located at the northern most Hmit of the rainforests that occur farthest from the equator. The lowland tropical rainforests at Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalaya) was investigated for tree species diversity, population structure and species richness with reference to three distinct canopy covers, viz.. an Altingia-mixed species stand. Shorea-Dipterocarp stand, and an Albizia stand. A totaJ of 1053 trees covering 130 species in 44 families were recorded at > 10 cm dbh, while 34526 individuals covering 104 species in 44 families were enumerated at < 10 em dbh. The tree species richness for three inventoried stands varied from 98, 54 and 20 species in ≥ 10 cm dbh with overall density of 418,390 and 245 trees ha^-1 for the three stands respectively. Lauraceae. Dipterocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fagaceae and Leguminosae dominated the flora; thus the forest exhibited typical attributes of lowland evergreen tropical rainforests.

Keywords

Lowland Tropical Rain Forests, Namdapha National Park, Species Diversity, Tree Structure, Conservation, Northheat India

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Pijush Kumar Dutta ¹, B. K. Dutta ¹, A. K. Das ¹, R. C. Sundriyal ¹

Affiliations
1 WWF-India, Western Arunachal Landscape Conservation Programme

Abstract

Alpine timberline, considered to be important ecotone supports rich and highly vulnerable biodiversity and represent one of the most distinct boundaries between forest to tree less alpine areas. It has attracted geographers and ecologist to do research for a long time on the phenomena it encompasses. In recent time, alpine treeline ecotones across most of the world's mountains are being studied because of their potential for monitoring the effects of climate warming on forest ecosystem. Besides, alpine pasture areas in and around timberline zone and commercially important medicinal plants along timberline have also been playing important role as a source of livelihood of mountain communities settled in nearby area. In recent time, with the change in socio-economic aspiration of local mountain communities, there has been a rapid increase in pressure on natural resources in and around timberline area. However, compared to studies of timberline area of European Alps, Andes of South America and mountains of North America, which has reached a very advance stage, very limited studies on timberline of Himalayan mountain range have been carried out. In the present paper, review of timberline research work carried out in the mountain ranges of Europe, North America and Himalaya have been carried out to highlightthe gap in alpine timberline research work in Himalaya.

Keywords

Alpine, Timberline, Ecotone, Biodiversity, Livelihood, Climate Change

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