Pramod Medhi

The present paper deals with the rediscovery of 12 sacred groves, known as Dikhos, preserved by the Dimasa community of North Cachar Hills district recently renamed as Dima Hasao district of Assam, India. Located strategically, these sacred groves provide several important ecological services to the people of the district. In addition to the sacred groves the plants considered to be sacred by them are also included. Out of the 34 plant species considered to be sacred by the Dimasas, 13 species are related to worshiping, 21 species involved in naming of areas/villages and eight species are associated with the naming of the Clans (Sengphong that is, male clans and Jaddi/Zaluk that is, female clans). However, some of the species/rice landraces have been associated with more than one ways. The Dimasas, also known as Dimasa Kacharies, constitute the largest ethnic group in North Cachar Hills and linguistically belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group.

Present work was focused on the comparative evaluation of the Taro tuber productivity by using improved cultivation practices versus traditional cultivation practices. Initially, passport data of all the collected 27 cultivars and wild edible aroids were prepared and their Indigenous Collection Numbers (IC) were procured from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. All the collections were phytochemically evaluated and five variants of Colocasia esculenta (L.) H. W. Schott were found to be superior and their IC Numbers are 0631527, 0631529, 0631536, 0631544 and 0631546. Following the randomised block design method for crop productivity evaluation, data of five nutritionally superior cultivar and one check variety were taken in three replications (R1, R2, R3) from eighteen plots of measuring 5×5 m2 (25 m2). Taro tuber productivity in kg/plant from the first and second year’s data from the ICAR-NBPGR, Umiam and also the farmer...

This paper documents 68 root and tuber crop genetic resources having edible, ornamental and medicinal values prevalent among the ethnic groups of North Cachar Hills (N. C. Hills) district (presently Dima Hasao ) of Assam. A total of 14 types of yams, 32 types of aroids and 22 types of other root and tuber crops have been recorded during the present investigation. The study also documents the conservation strategies and traditional knowledge about the root and tuber crops collected from the ethnic groups of the district.

Aroids are important root crop of the tropics grown for its edible corms. It plays a significant role in the livelihood of millions of relatively poor people in under developed countries. The corm is an excellent source of carbohydrate, protein, minerals and vitamins. The objective of the present study was to evaluate nutritional and nutraceutical properties, mineral and microelement content in certain underutilized edible aroid corms from Assam state of India. Nutritionally, all the variants were found to be rich in carbohydrate, protein, crude fibre and ascorbic acid. In C. esculenta (Tekala kochu) the Carbohydrate (25.0±0.34%), protein (4.39±0.1 %), fat (0.95±0.2 %) and flavanoid content (9.04±0.0 µgQE/mg) were found in higher amount. Thus, crude fibre (5.0±0.05%) and total mineral in the form of ash contents (7.3±0.05%) were found higher in C. esculenta (Bon kochu). Again, the ascorbic acid (112.87.02mg/100g dry weight) and total phenolic content (34.3±0.12µgGAE/mg) found higher...

The hilly town Haflong is located at the foothill of Borail range at the elevation of 936.04 m above msl and between 25° 11’ N latitude and 93° 11’ E longitude. The present paper deals with the extensive collection and study (during October 2007 to January 2009) of the edible phytoresources sold mostly by the folk women in weekly market at Haflong. Emphasis was mainly given to wild as well as landraces and local cultivars of the crop plants. The study provides information on their botanical name, family, vernacular names, frequency, habit, biological status, plant parts used, mode of use and also market rate of the plant resources observed. Study reveals that out of 254 plants/local cultivars collected and identified belongs to 170 genera and 75 families. Biological status analysis recorded as: primitive cultvar/jhum cultivar/cultivar (151), semi-wild/semi-domesticated (49), wild (45) and weed (09) species/varieties of plants. A total of 49 edible species have also been recorded to ...

The Dima Hasao (formerly, North Cachar Hills) district is situated in the southern part of Assam, India. The main ethnic groups in the district are Dimasas, Zeme Nagas, Hmars, Hrangkhols, Biates, Jansens and Thadous (New-Kukis), Sakacheps (Khelmas), Vaipheis and Jaintia (Pnars). The present paper provides a comprehensive account of 168 wild edible plants and fungi along with their botanical name, family, exsiccate, vernacular name(s), parts used, mode of use and also their market value in local makeshift markets. Out of the total recorded 168 species of plants and fungi, 55 species were used as leafy vegetables, fruits and seeds of 61 species were used either fresh or cooked, tubers of 19 species were eaten boiled, 18 species were used as spices and condiments, 10 species were of wild edible mushrooms and 5 species were used as masticators and fumigators. The168 species belongs to 122 genera and 74 families and can be grouped into Fungi (10 species), Pteridophytes (04 species), Gymn...

A substantial number of herbs have been used as dietary source and plays a vital role in improving our health. Antioxidant compounds in diet play an important role as a health protecting factor. Various herbs have been reported to exhibit antioxidant activity which contains many different antioxidant compounds (i.e. vitamin C and E, carotenoids and phenolic compounds), that serve as free radical scavengers. The present study was subjected to investigate the nutraceutical property and antioxidant activity of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Family- Caryophyllaceae) and Persicaria chinensis (L.) H. Gross (Polygonaceae) found available in Brahmaputra Valley agro-Climatic Condition. The protein and carbohydrate content were slightly higher in case of P. chinensis than that of S. media. But the total crude fibre content was found to be more in S. media. It has been observed that ascorbic acid and total phenolic content was higher in P. chinensis than that of S. media. Free radical scavenging ...

North Cachar Hills district of Assam state is inhabited mainly by 10 major ethnic groups namely Dimasa, Jeme Naga, Hmar, Kuki, Karbi, Beite, Jaintia(Pnar), Hrangkhol, Khelma, Vaipei, etc. The area lies between 24o 582 N and 25o 472 N latitudes and 92o 272 E and 93o 432 E longitudes. The altitude ranges from 140 to 1866 m above msl. The paper deals with the findings of extensive exploration and collection emphasizing the study of Rice germplasm from 14 localities/ villages of the district during 2007 – 2008. Sampling method was made randomly and/or in bulk for the collection of the germplasm according to the availability and population of sample. Mostly the emphasis was given for collection of local land races and primitive cultivars of Rice germplasm during the survey. The agricultural practice followed by the local people in the area is Jhum (shifting) cultivation. However, wet paddy cultivation is also practiced in some localities depending upon the nature of terrain and sources o...