Agrobiodiversity in Northeast India: A Review …
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Garcinia sp., Licuala peltata etc. many of which can be labelled as ‘Cinderella’ tree
species, as they have been overlooked by science and the products of such species
have been collected, gathered and utilized by villagers and are still of enormous
importance to the rural people (Leakey and Newton 1994).
Bamboo forms an important component of farming system in the study area and
are often managed in a separate zone or land known as bamboo groves (Bansh tilla).
Based on their utility and preference farmers have prioritized Bambusa cacharensis
with multiple uses (construction, agricultural and fishing implements). Many of the
products from this bamboo are sold in local markets as a source of additional income.
This is followed by Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa balcooa, which are also important raw material for paper industry besides other uses. Homegardens are important
sites for in situ conservation of plant diversity and can also serve as gene pools
for the eroding indigenous tree species. Many wild rare tree species like Aquilaria
malaccensis, Vatica lanceaefolia, are also conserved in the homegardens because
of their high commercial value and it is to be mentioned that the management of
Aquilaria malaccensis in the homegardens is often used as an indicator of social
status among the villagers. Other important rare species conserved include Caryota
urens and Licuala peltata. Homegardens are also the sites for the preservation of
underutilized edible species like Baccaurea sapida, Flacourtia jangomus, Garcinia
sp., Meyna spinosa and Spondias pinnata.
6.2 Rajubari Village in Barak Valley of Cachar District,
NorthEast India
In a study of 36 homegardens of Meitei Manipuri from Rajubari village in Barak
Valley of Cachar district, North-East India by Devi and Das (2010) a total of 92
species (38 trees, 10 shrubs, and 44 herbs) belonging to 43 families were recorded.
Nine use categories of plant species have been recorded in the studied village. Vegetables formed the predominant category followed by fruits and medicinal plants.
The households exchanged/shared vegetables such as Parkia timoriana and other
legumes among friends and neighbours. The other utility classes, e.g., timbers, ornamental, sacred plants and spices, although important, comprised only of a few species
per category. Parkia timoriana was ubiquitous in the homegardens and is one of the
important trees which is conserved from generation to generation by the Meiteis.
Bamboos are generally grown in the backyard or away from other plants. Four species
of bamboos were recorded viz. Bambusa balcooa, B. cacharensis, B. nutans and B.
vulgaris. Bamboo has multiple uses in the village economy. It is used for making
a vast array of household items and agricultural implements, and the young shoots
are used as food. Among the four species, B. balcooa is the most important and was
present in 78% of the homegardens. It is used as weaving equipment by the Meitei
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Garcinia sp., Licuala peltata etc. many of which can be labelled as ‘Cinderella’ tree
species, as they have been overlooked by science and the products of such species
have been collected, gathered and utilized by villagers and are still of enormous
importance to the rural people (Leakey and Newton 1994).
Bamboo forms an important component of farming system in the study area and
are often managed in a separate zone or land known as bamboo groves (Bansh tilla).
Based on their utility and preference farmers have prioritized Bambusa cacharensis
with multiple uses (construction, agricultural and fishing implements). Many of the
products from this bamboo are sold in local markets as a source of additional income.
This is followed by Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa balcooa, which are also important raw material for paper industry besides other uses. Homegardens are important
sites for in situ conservation of plant diversity and can also serve as gene pools
for the eroding indigenous tree species. Many wild rare tree species like Aquilaria
malaccensis, Vatica lanceaefolia, are also conserved in the homegardens because
of their high commercial value and it is to be mentioned that the management of
Aquilaria malaccensis in the homegardens is often used as an indicator of social
status among the villagers. Other important rare species conserved include Caryota
urens and Licuala peltata. Homegardens are also the sites for the preservation of
underutilized edible species like Baccaurea sapida, Flacourtia jangomus, Garcinia
sp., Meyna spinosa and Spondias pinnata.
6.2 Rajubari Village in Barak Valley of Cachar District,
NorthEast India
In a study of 36 homegardens of Meitei Manipuri from Rajubari village in Barak
Valley of Cachar district, North-East India by Devi and Das (2010) a total of 92
species (38 trees, 10 shrubs, and 44 herbs) belonging to 43 families were recorded.
Nine use categories of plant species have been recorded in the studied village. Vegetables formed the predominant category followed by fruits and medicinal plants.
The households exchanged/shared vegetables such as Parkia timoriana and other
legumes among friends and neighbours. The other utility classes, e.g., timbers, ornamental, sacred plants and spices, although important, comprised only of a few species
per category. Parkia timoriana was ubiquitous in the homegardens and is one of the
important trees which is conserved from generation to generation by the Meiteis.
Bamboos are generally grown in the backyard or away from other plants. Four species
of bamboos were recorded viz. Bambusa balcooa, B. cacharensis, B. nutans and B.
vulgaris. Bamboo has multiple uses in the village economy. It is used for making
a vast array of household items and agricultural implements, and the young shoots
are used as food. Among the four species, B. balcooa is the most important and was
present in 78% of the homegardens. It is used as weaving equipment by the Meitei