ABHAYA P Das | North Bengal University (original) (raw)
Papers by ABHAYA P Das
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences
Detailed pollen morphological account of four species of Maesa Forssk. (Primulaceae) [M. chisia, ... more Detailed pollen morphological account of four species of Maesa Forssk. (Primulaceae) [M. chisia, M. indica, M. macrophylla, M. rugosa] from Darjeeling Himalaya and its possible taxonomic implications have been investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains are 3-zonocolporate with reticulate exine having prominent variations in the muri and lumina dimensions (striato-reticulate, microreticulate to punctate). The shape (sub-prolate, pro-late-spheroidal to spheroidal) and size classes (very small to small) show little variation. The structural details of the pollen grains are found to be useful in identifying the grains in different applied palynological studies. The present study reveals the stenopalynous nature of the genus Maesa. The UPGMA study was performed to analyse the phenetic relationship of the studied species with previously published data. The observations further suggest that considering the pollen morphological characters, Maesa is more closely related to the Myrsinaceae and Theophras-taceae (s.s.) and differs greatly from Primulaceae (s.s.).
Our Nature, 2008
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest in situ conservatory in India for Rhinoceros u... more Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest in situ conservatory in India for Rhinoceros unicornis L. As much as 57 species of Rhino-fodders have been recorded from the sanctuary and the list is dominated with the record of 34 species (i.e. 59.65 %) from Poaceae itself. It is followed by five species of Cyperaceae and three species of Euphorbiaceae. Another 13 families are represented with two or one species only. These plants have been categorised into three groups (1) Most Preferred, 15 spp., (2) Preferred, 38 spp. and (3) Stress-time fodders, 4 spp. Local names, habit and edible parts of these plants have been provided in this article. Keywords: Rhino fodder, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary.doi:10.3126/on.v5i1.792Our Nature (2007)5:14-20
PloS one, 2016
In human body, several categories of degenerative processes are largely determined by free radica... more In human body, several categories of degenerative processes are largely determined by free radicals originating in cell. Free radicals are also known to have correlated with a variety of cognitive disorders (CDs) resulting in neuronal injury and eventually to death. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are such kind of killer CDs that occur due to dysfunction of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. Plant parts of Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri etc. are being used for the treatment of cognitive disorders in several countries. The present study was aimed to explore the detailed antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of Acaciacatechu leaf (ACL) over CDs. Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were employed to identify the bioactive components present in ACL. Furthermore, the extract was evaluated to check the cytotoxic effects of ACL on normal cells. Amongst several antioxidant assays, DPPH assay, hydro...
Pleione, 2024
Physalis pubescens L. (Solanaceae), a native of tropical and subtropical America, has now been re... more Physalis pubescens L. (Solanaceae), a native of tropical and subtropical America, has now been recorded for the first time in India from the state of West Bengal. Taxonomic description along with an illustrative photo plate, information on habitat, distribution, flowering and fruiting time have been provided for its easy identification.
Pleione, 2024
The tribal communities of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) are rich in traditional know... more The tribal communities of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) are rich in traditional knowledge, including using plants as medicine. The Bodo community of Assam has been using plants as medicine since an unknown past. The present study documented the plants used by the
Bodo community of Kokrajhar, of BTAD, Assam for the treatment of Stomach disorders. 50 villages were visited randomly. A total of 200 informants were interviewed, among which 94 were male and 106 were female. The study recorded the uses of 31 plant species belonging to 27
families and 30 genera. Among 31 plant species, 26 were dicots and the remaining 5 are Monocots
Pleione, 2024
The alkaline food-additive, called ‘Pila’, extracted from the ashes of various plants is popularl... more The alkaline food-additive, called ‘Pila’, extracted from the ashes of various plants is popularly prepared and consumed by the people of Apatani tribe living in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh (India). This paper focuses the plants which are used as resource for Pila extraction, their availability, uses, edibility and ethnobotanical values. It also highlights the process involved in its preparation and concerns attached to preparation consumption of Pila. Of the 29 plants from 15 families reported as Pila-plants 15 are wild and remaining 14 species are cultivated food-plants.
Details of the method of Pila preparation and the future prospect of this popular food-additive and its marketability also has been discussed.
Pleione, 2024
With a background knowledge of the natural distribution of Juglans sigillata Dode (Juglandaceae) ... more With a background knowledge of the natural distribution of Juglans sigillata Dode (Juglandaceae) in Darjeeling-Sikkim part of Eastern Himalaya, a search was conducted in Changlang and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh to record its distribution and local uses. While Changlang is on the eastern border of the state as well as India with Myanmar, the Tawang is on the western border with Bhutan. Natural occurrence of J. sigillata has been recorded in both the districts. In Arunachal Pradesh the plant is distributed in between 500 m to nearly 3000 m amsl that covers a range of subtropical to subalpine climatic conditions. Although the walnut produced by Juglans sigillata is palatable, it is not preferred by Monpa tribe due to the difficulty in extracting the kernels. However, the plant holds significant cultural and customary importance for the Monpa tribe in the Tawang district and the Tangsa tribe in the Changlang district, where it is used in various traditional practices.
Journal of Apicultural Research
The giant honey bee, Apis laboriosa, is native to the central and eastern Himalayas, Hengduan, Ar... more The giant honey bee, Apis laboriosa, is native to the central and eastern Himalayas, Hengduan, Arakan, Annamite and adjoining mountain ranges of Southeast Asia. The present work documented forage plants of A. laboriosa in a captive condition outside its natural geographic range for 09 months and tested their choice based on the abundance of the forager bees on flowers. The study was conducted by introducing a combless colony of A. laboriosa in a climate control greenhouse. A total of 68 plant species of 34 families were offered, out of which the foragers accepted the floral rewards from 28 species of 20 plant families. The foragers collected pollens and nectar from 10 and 18 plant species, respectively. A maximum number of foragers visited Mesua ferrea for pollen (16.94 ± 1.25 foragers/flower/hour) and Indigofera sp. for nectar (9.60 ± 1.24 foragers/flower/hour). Tukey's Multiple Comparison test showed significant variation in the abundance of foragers on some plants. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference in the number of foragers at different time intervals of a day except for the nectar plants Cucumis sativus and Indigofera sp. The study also showed that the choice of the foragers was not associated with floral colours and plant family, but possibly dependent on some common cues of the forage plants resulting from convergent evolution. Foraging from plants of low altitudes also indicated that they can forage from plants outside their native geographic range.
Bioresources – Conservation and Sustainability
The paper enumerated and discussed different aaspects of local plants used by tribal communities ... more The paper enumerated and discussed different aaspects of local plants used by tribal communities living in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji Districts of Assam in Northeast India. They use different plant parts and with single or multiple species in a definite formulation. The recovery rate of the suffering people is quite satisfactory.
Journal of Bioresources, 2024
Bodo community of Assam has been using plants as medicine since an unknown past. The traditional ... more Bodo community of Assam has been using plants as medicine since an unknown past. The traditional Bodo-healers, 'Ojha' are reported to have good knowledge in preparation of herbal medicines for curing several ailments of man and domesticated animals. Ethnomedicobotanical study in 40 villages of Udalguri district of Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) of Assam during 2021-2022 and interaction with Ojhas and other knowledgeable people recorded 44 species of plants from 30 families and five formulations they use to treat Jaundice. The herbal formulations used to treat jaundice were found innovative and unique but the practitioners decline to share their detailed protocols to others. However, majority of the recorded plant species they use are commonly growing in the study area.
Pleione, 2024
The genus Swertia L. (Gentianaceae) is well represented in Eastern Himalaya with a good number of... more The genus Swertia L. (Gentianaceae) is well represented in Eastern Himalaya with a good number of species. Swertia wardii C.Marquand was known to occur in Nepal, TAR, Bhutan, and in the state of Sikkim in India. In 2022, this species was collected from the subalpine regions in the Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeastern India. This records the occurrence of the species first time from the state of Arunachal Pradesh forms an addition to the state flora.
Asian Journal of Ethnobiology
The present study was aimed to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Bi... more The present study was aimed to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape of Upper Siang District in Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalaya), India. Data was collected from three villages of Geku circle, Upper Siang District between the year 2016-2019, covering more than 50% of the total households using semi-structured questionnaires, personal interviews, focused group discussions and transect walk with the core respondents. A total of 301 taxa falling in 203 genera and 85 families are recorded from the Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape (KABL), invariably used as food, medicine and cultural materials which is directly and indirectly linked with livelihood security, community survival, protection and preservation of the traditional culture and nature. Use value (UV) of all the reported species ranges between 0.017 and 0.051. A total of 48 ethnomedicinal plant species including herbs, shrubs and trees used for curing 35 different ailments were recorded. Comparison of three different indices CI, RFC and RI, indicating species ranking based on each index and the three basic values of the study, viz. FC, UR and NU for each species were also calculated. Urtica dioica, Solanum spirale, Paris polyphylla, Curcuma longa, Clerodendrum colebrookeanum, and Begonia silletensis are found to be the most important plants for treating different ailments by the community.
Pleione, 2023
Despite tremendous benefits of present-day allopathic medicines, traditional remedies are still p... more Despite tremendous benefits of present-day allopathic medicines, traditional remedies are still playing the most important role in curing various ailments. Numerous wild plants or traditional plant-based formulations are in use by the people in treating liver disorders or as hepatoprotective agents. Jaundice is a symptom of liver disorder. The aim of the study was to record wild plants used in the treatment of jaundice by the indigenous communities living in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam in Northeastern India. Ethnomedicinal survey conducted during 2019 to 2021 in rural areas of these two districts recorded 47 species of wild plants from the interaction with 44 herbalists. These plants are used to treat jaundice in different traditional formulations. The result shows Hellenia speciosa is the mostly reported plant by healers, which is also a proven potent hepatoprotective plant, followed by Alternanthera sessilis, Cyathula prostrata, Drymaria cordata and so on.
Pleione, 2023
D. Chatterjee established the genus Indofevillea with one species I. khasiana in 1946 and 1947 ba... more D. Chatterjee established the genus Indofevillea with one species I. khasiana in 1946 and 1947 based on some specimens from Assam and Meghalaya (India). So far, all reports on the species, including the protologue, described only the male flowers and the description of fruit was insufficient. The present article reports the inflorescence, female flower and fruit structures of I. khasiana in detail. It is interesting to note that while male inflorescence produces from young leafy-branches, female panicles produce from the nodes on old-stem and from exposed old-roots.
NBU Journal of Plant Sciences
The article reports the investigation on the impacts of alien invasive weeds on phyto-diversity o... more The article reports the investigation on the impacts of alien invasive weeds on phyto-diversity of Terai-Duars belt of West Bengal. Invasive weed-invaded and non-invaded vegetation tracts, under same ecological conditions, were sampled and compared to understand their impact on the local biodiversity. Invaded area was inhabitated by a fewer number of species, poor in species diversity, with higher concentration of dominance and poor in species richness. The study suggested further research on the impact of aggressive and invasive alien weeds on Biodiversity and ecosystem of this area.
Explor Anim Med Res., 2023
Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae), an endangered fern, utilized medicinally by s... more Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae), an endangered fern, utilized medicinally by several traditional societies across the world. Its use as food is rarely reported in literature. The rhizome of Angiopteris evecta is used by members of the Tangsa tribe, who live mostly in the Patkai Hills of the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh (India), both as a famine food and a remedy for snake bites and insect stings. The article documented the preparation of rhizomes for consumption and as an
antidote to snake bites and insect stings.
Bioprospecting of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 2023
The aim of this study was to identify and document medicinal plants used by the traditional herba... more The aim of this study was to identify and document medicinal plants used by the traditional herbalists in Assam, India, for the treatment of respiratory diseases like pneumonia and asthma. A random household survey was carried out during 2018--2020 in selected districts and the data were obtained through direct interviews and observations using a semi-structured questionnaire to the healers/herbalists. FL {\%} (fidelity level) and RFC (relative frequency citation) were calculated for all recorded medicinal plants. The result of the present study recognizes 61 plant species from 35 different families for treating respiratory diseases traditionally. The use of plant parts, preparation and administration of crude medicines are different as practised by different practitioners. Preparations mainly include raw/freshly extracted juices and decoctions of plant parts like the whole plant if it is a small herb, leaf, young shoot/twig, root, rhizome, bark, fruit or seed. The administration of crude preparation is primarily oral. Among all the recorded plants P. nigrum shows the highest FL and RFC for both pneumonia and asthma. The use of Tamarix dioica and Potentilla indica against asthma and Hygrophila phlomoides and Stephania rotunda against pneumonia treatments are new ethnobotanical records. People in this study area strongly believe in plant-based traditional healing methods before availing of modern healthcare facilities. They have been using plants as medicines for several generations to treat their respiratory problems. Though popularly used in local traditional healings most of these plants are yet to be tested scientifically to understand their actual efficacy so that they could be exploited for the benefit of mankind.
Pleione [ISSN: 0973-9467], 2023
The role of different type of Chhyang in Monpa tribal community living in the Tawang district of ... more The role of different type of Chhyang in Monpa tribal community living in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh in NorthEast India which is almost inseparable from their regular social life. They speak in their own Monpa language. Production and consumption of chhyang is a traditional heritage for them. Three main types of Chhyang (= Chang/ Chhang) prepared by Monpa people are Arah, Bangchang and Singchang. As basic material or source of starch they mostly use grains of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., Oryza sativa L., Hordeum vulgare L., Zea mays L., and seeds of Amaranthus caudatus L. They are having their own instrumentation for fermentation as well as distillation for chhyang production. The chhyang is almost omnipresent in all their festivals and other social programs. Monpa people need to produce huge quantity of chhyang and they grow all these crops in their crop-fields on temperate to sub-alpine hills. Present article also described the detailed methods to produce all three types of chhyang and discussed their nutritional and social values.
Flora, 2023
In today's pollen morphological studies, distinction between the two aperture types, namely, pora... more In today's pollen morphological studies, distinction between the two aperture types, namely, porate and pororate is obscured by generalised use of the former in defining a more or less isodiametric aperture. Present study points out the precise dimensional differences and incongruence between the ecto and endoapertures (representing pore and ora respectively) which in turn dictates the true apertural nature, whether it is 'porate' or 'pororate'. In this work, pollen morphology of 10 eastern Himalayan species were studied; among them six species hitherto known for having porate condition (simple aperturate) are actually found pororate (compound aperturate) in nature. We also observed pororate condition in Symplocaceae which was known to have either porate or colporate pollens till date. Therefore, pororate aperture is now found in Cannabaceae, Urticaceae and Symplocaceae. Occurrence this apertural condition in the nine studied species reflects their most advanced/climax stage of aperture evolution. Thus, our observation deviates considerably from available information on pollen apertures of the studied plant families and consequent change in the systematic and phylogenetic interpretation of the studied species is suggested.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences
Detailed pollen morphological account of four species of Maesa Forssk. (Primulaceae) [M. chisia, ... more Detailed pollen morphological account of four species of Maesa Forssk. (Primulaceae) [M. chisia, M. indica, M. macrophylla, M. rugosa] from Darjeeling Himalaya and its possible taxonomic implications have been investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains are 3-zonocolporate with reticulate exine having prominent variations in the muri and lumina dimensions (striato-reticulate, microreticulate to punctate). The shape (sub-prolate, pro-late-spheroidal to spheroidal) and size classes (very small to small) show little variation. The structural details of the pollen grains are found to be useful in identifying the grains in different applied palynological studies. The present study reveals the stenopalynous nature of the genus Maesa. The UPGMA study was performed to analyse the phenetic relationship of the studied species with previously published data. The observations further suggest that considering the pollen morphological characters, Maesa is more closely related to the Myrsinaceae and Theophras-taceae (s.s.) and differs greatly from Primulaceae (s.s.).
Our Nature, 2008
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest in situ conservatory in India for Rhinoceros u... more Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest in situ conservatory in India for Rhinoceros unicornis L. As much as 57 species of Rhino-fodders have been recorded from the sanctuary and the list is dominated with the record of 34 species (i.e. 59.65 %) from Poaceae itself. It is followed by five species of Cyperaceae and three species of Euphorbiaceae. Another 13 families are represented with two or one species only. These plants have been categorised into three groups (1) Most Preferred, 15 spp., (2) Preferred, 38 spp. and (3) Stress-time fodders, 4 spp. Local names, habit and edible parts of these plants have been provided in this article. Keywords: Rhino fodder, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary.doi:10.3126/on.v5i1.792Our Nature (2007)5:14-20
PloS one, 2016
In human body, several categories of degenerative processes are largely determined by free radica... more In human body, several categories of degenerative processes are largely determined by free radicals originating in cell. Free radicals are also known to have correlated with a variety of cognitive disorders (CDs) resulting in neuronal injury and eventually to death. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are such kind of killer CDs that occur due to dysfunction of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. Plant parts of Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri etc. are being used for the treatment of cognitive disorders in several countries. The present study was aimed to explore the detailed antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of Acaciacatechu leaf (ACL) over CDs. Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were employed to identify the bioactive components present in ACL. Furthermore, the extract was evaluated to check the cytotoxic effects of ACL on normal cells. Amongst several antioxidant assays, DPPH assay, hydro...
Pleione, 2024
Physalis pubescens L. (Solanaceae), a native of tropical and subtropical America, has now been re... more Physalis pubescens L. (Solanaceae), a native of tropical and subtropical America, has now been recorded for the first time in India from the state of West Bengal. Taxonomic description along with an illustrative photo plate, information on habitat, distribution, flowering and fruiting time have been provided for its easy identification.
Pleione, 2024
The tribal communities of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) are rich in traditional know... more The tribal communities of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) are rich in traditional knowledge, including using plants as medicine. The Bodo community of Assam has been using plants as medicine since an unknown past. The present study documented the plants used by the
Bodo community of Kokrajhar, of BTAD, Assam for the treatment of Stomach disorders. 50 villages were visited randomly. A total of 200 informants were interviewed, among which 94 were male and 106 were female. The study recorded the uses of 31 plant species belonging to 27
families and 30 genera. Among 31 plant species, 26 were dicots and the remaining 5 are Monocots
Pleione, 2024
The alkaline food-additive, called ‘Pila’, extracted from the ashes of various plants is popularl... more The alkaline food-additive, called ‘Pila’, extracted from the ashes of various plants is popularly prepared and consumed by the people of Apatani tribe living in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh (India). This paper focuses the plants which are used as resource for Pila extraction, their availability, uses, edibility and ethnobotanical values. It also highlights the process involved in its preparation and concerns attached to preparation consumption of Pila. Of the 29 plants from 15 families reported as Pila-plants 15 are wild and remaining 14 species are cultivated food-plants.
Details of the method of Pila preparation and the future prospect of this popular food-additive and its marketability also has been discussed.
Pleione, 2024
With a background knowledge of the natural distribution of Juglans sigillata Dode (Juglandaceae) ... more With a background knowledge of the natural distribution of Juglans sigillata Dode (Juglandaceae) in Darjeeling-Sikkim part of Eastern Himalaya, a search was conducted in Changlang and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh to record its distribution and local uses. While Changlang is on the eastern border of the state as well as India with Myanmar, the Tawang is on the western border with Bhutan. Natural occurrence of J. sigillata has been recorded in both the districts. In Arunachal Pradesh the plant is distributed in between 500 m to nearly 3000 m amsl that covers a range of subtropical to subalpine climatic conditions. Although the walnut produced by Juglans sigillata is palatable, it is not preferred by Monpa tribe due to the difficulty in extracting the kernels. However, the plant holds significant cultural and customary importance for the Monpa tribe in the Tawang district and the Tangsa tribe in the Changlang district, where it is used in various traditional practices.
Journal of Apicultural Research
The giant honey bee, Apis laboriosa, is native to the central and eastern Himalayas, Hengduan, Ar... more The giant honey bee, Apis laboriosa, is native to the central and eastern Himalayas, Hengduan, Arakan, Annamite and adjoining mountain ranges of Southeast Asia. The present work documented forage plants of A. laboriosa in a captive condition outside its natural geographic range for 09 months and tested their choice based on the abundance of the forager bees on flowers. The study was conducted by introducing a combless colony of A. laboriosa in a climate control greenhouse. A total of 68 plant species of 34 families were offered, out of which the foragers accepted the floral rewards from 28 species of 20 plant families. The foragers collected pollens and nectar from 10 and 18 plant species, respectively. A maximum number of foragers visited Mesua ferrea for pollen (16.94 ± 1.25 foragers/flower/hour) and Indigofera sp. for nectar (9.60 ± 1.24 foragers/flower/hour). Tukey's Multiple Comparison test showed significant variation in the abundance of foragers on some plants. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference in the number of foragers at different time intervals of a day except for the nectar plants Cucumis sativus and Indigofera sp. The study also showed that the choice of the foragers was not associated with floral colours and plant family, but possibly dependent on some common cues of the forage plants resulting from convergent evolution. Foraging from plants of low altitudes also indicated that they can forage from plants outside their native geographic range.
Bioresources – Conservation and Sustainability
The paper enumerated and discussed different aaspects of local plants used by tribal communities ... more The paper enumerated and discussed different aaspects of local plants used by tribal communities living in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji Districts of Assam in Northeast India. They use different plant parts and with single or multiple species in a definite formulation. The recovery rate of the suffering people is quite satisfactory.
Journal of Bioresources, 2024
Bodo community of Assam has been using plants as medicine since an unknown past. The traditional ... more Bodo community of Assam has been using plants as medicine since an unknown past. The traditional Bodo-healers, 'Ojha' are reported to have good knowledge in preparation of herbal medicines for curing several ailments of man and domesticated animals. Ethnomedicobotanical study in 40 villages of Udalguri district of Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) of Assam during 2021-2022 and interaction with Ojhas and other knowledgeable people recorded 44 species of plants from 30 families and five formulations they use to treat Jaundice. The herbal formulations used to treat jaundice were found innovative and unique but the practitioners decline to share their detailed protocols to others. However, majority of the recorded plant species they use are commonly growing in the study area.
Pleione, 2024
The genus Swertia L. (Gentianaceae) is well represented in Eastern Himalaya with a good number of... more The genus Swertia L. (Gentianaceae) is well represented in Eastern Himalaya with a good number of species. Swertia wardii C.Marquand was known to occur in Nepal, TAR, Bhutan, and in the state of Sikkim in India. In 2022, this species was collected from the subalpine regions in the Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeastern India. This records the occurrence of the species first time from the state of Arunachal Pradesh forms an addition to the state flora.
Asian Journal of Ethnobiology
The present study was aimed to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Bi... more The present study was aimed to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape of Upper Siang District in Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalaya), India. Data was collected from three villages of Geku circle, Upper Siang District between the year 2016-2019, covering more than 50% of the total households using semi-structured questionnaires, personal interviews, focused group discussions and transect walk with the core respondents. A total of 301 taxa falling in 203 genera and 85 families are recorded from the Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape (KABL), invariably used as food, medicine and cultural materials which is directly and indirectly linked with livelihood security, community survival, protection and preservation of the traditional culture and nature. Use value (UV) of all the reported species ranges between 0.017 and 0.051. A total of 48 ethnomedicinal plant species including herbs, shrubs and trees used for curing 35 different ailments were recorded. Comparison of three different indices CI, RFC and RI, indicating species ranking based on each index and the three basic values of the study, viz. FC, UR and NU for each species were also calculated. Urtica dioica, Solanum spirale, Paris polyphylla, Curcuma longa, Clerodendrum colebrookeanum, and Begonia silletensis are found to be the most important plants for treating different ailments by the community.
Pleione, 2023
Despite tremendous benefits of present-day allopathic medicines, traditional remedies are still p... more Despite tremendous benefits of present-day allopathic medicines, traditional remedies are still playing the most important role in curing various ailments. Numerous wild plants or traditional plant-based formulations are in use by the people in treating liver disorders or as hepatoprotective agents. Jaundice is a symptom of liver disorder. The aim of the study was to record wild plants used in the treatment of jaundice by the indigenous communities living in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam in Northeastern India. Ethnomedicinal survey conducted during 2019 to 2021 in rural areas of these two districts recorded 47 species of wild plants from the interaction with 44 herbalists. These plants are used to treat jaundice in different traditional formulations. The result shows Hellenia speciosa is the mostly reported plant by healers, which is also a proven potent hepatoprotective plant, followed by Alternanthera sessilis, Cyathula prostrata, Drymaria cordata and so on.
Pleione, 2023
D. Chatterjee established the genus Indofevillea with one species I. khasiana in 1946 and 1947 ba... more D. Chatterjee established the genus Indofevillea with one species I. khasiana in 1946 and 1947 based on some specimens from Assam and Meghalaya (India). So far, all reports on the species, including the protologue, described only the male flowers and the description of fruit was insufficient. The present article reports the inflorescence, female flower and fruit structures of I. khasiana in detail. It is interesting to note that while male inflorescence produces from young leafy-branches, female panicles produce from the nodes on old-stem and from exposed old-roots.
NBU Journal of Plant Sciences
The article reports the investigation on the impacts of alien invasive weeds on phyto-diversity o... more The article reports the investigation on the impacts of alien invasive weeds on phyto-diversity of Terai-Duars belt of West Bengal. Invasive weed-invaded and non-invaded vegetation tracts, under same ecological conditions, were sampled and compared to understand their impact on the local biodiversity. Invaded area was inhabitated by a fewer number of species, poor in species diversity, with higher concentration of dominance and poor in species richness. The study suggested further research on the impact of aggressive and invasive alien weeds on Biodiversity and ecosystem of this area.
Explor Anim Med Res., 2023
Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae), an endangered fern, utilized medicinally by s... more Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae), an endangered fern, utilized medicinally by several traditional societies across the world. Its use as food is rarely reported in literature. The rhizome of Angiopteris evecta is used by members of the Tangsa tribe, who live mostly in the Patkai Hills of the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh (India), both as a famine food and a remedy for snake bites and insect stings. The article documented the preparation of rhizomes for consumption and as an
antidote to snake bites and insect stings.
Bioprospecting of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 2023
The aim of this study was to identify and document medicinal plants used by the traditional herba... more The aim of this study was to identify and document medicinal plants used by the traditional herbalists in Assam, India, for the treatment of respiratory diseases like pneumonia and asthma. A random household survey was carried out during 2018--2020 in selected districts and the data were obtained through direct interviews and observations using a semi-structured questionnaire to the healers/herbalists. FL {\%} (fidelity level) and RFC (relative frequency citation) were calculated for all recorded medicinal plants. The result of the present study recognizes 61 plant species from 35 different families for treating respiratory diseases traditionally. The use of plant parts, preparation and administration of crude medicines are different as practised by different practitioners. Preparations mainly include raw/freshly extracted juices and decoctions of plant parts like the whole plant if it is a small herb, leaf, young shoot/twig, root, rhizome, bark, fruit or seed. The administration of crude preparation is primarily oral. Among all the recorded plants P. nigrum shows the highest FL and RFC for both pneumonia and asthma. The use of Tamarix dioica and Potentilla indica against asthma and Hygrophila phlomoides and Stephania rotunda against pneumonia treatments are new ethnobotanical records. People in this study area strongly believe in plant-based traditional healing methods before availing of modern healthcare facilities. They have been using plants as medicines for several generations to treat their respiratory problems. Though popularly used in local traditional healings most of these plants are yet to be tested scientifically to understand their actual efficacy so that they could be exploited for the benefit of mankind.
Pleione [ISSN: 0973-9467], 2023
The role of different type of Chhyang in Monpa tribal community living in the Tawang district of ... more The role of different type of Chhyang in Monpa tribal community living in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh in NorthEast India which is almost inseparable from their regular social life. They speak in their own Monpa language. Production and consumption of chhyang is a traditional heritage for them. Three main types of Chhyang (= Chang/ Chhang) prepared by Monpa people are Arah, Bangchang and Singchang. As basic material or source of starch they mostly use grains of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., Oryza sativa L., Hordeum vulgare L., Zea mays L., and seeds of Amaranthus caudatus L. They are having their own instrumentation for fermentation as well as distillation for chhyang production. The chhyang is almost omnipresent in all their festivals and other social programs. Monpa people need to produce huge quantity of chhyang and they grow all these crops in their crop-fields on temperate to sub-alpine hills. Present article also described the detailed methods to produce all three types of chhyang and discussed their nutritional and social values.
Flora, 2023
In today's pollen morphological studies, distinction between the two aperture types, namely, pora... more In today's pollen morphological studies, distinction between the two aperture types, namely, porate and pororate is obscured by generalised use of the former in defining a more or less isodiametric aperture. Present study points out the precise dimensional differences and incongruence between the ecto and endoapertures (representing pore and ora respectively) which in turn dictates the true apertural nature, whether it is 'porate' or 'pororate'. In this work, pollen morphology of 10 eastern Himalayan species were studied; among them six species hitherto known for having porate condition (simple aperturate) are actually found pororate (compound aperturate) in nature. We also observed pororate condition in Symplocaceae which was known to have either porate or colporate pollens till date. Therefore, pororate aperture is now found in Cannabaceae, Urticaceae and Symplocaceae. Occurrence this apertural condition in the nine studied species reflects their most advanced/climax stage of aperture evolution. Thus, our observation deviates considerably from available information on pollen apertures of the studied plant families and consequent change in the systematic and phylogenetic interpretation of the studied species is suggested.
Diversity of Plants and Microbes: Conservation and Traditional Uses, 2024
The Northeastern region of India harbors the richest reservoir of plant diversity in India. An ou... more The Northeastern region of India harbors the richest reservoir of plant diversity in India. An outline of plant diversity for the region particularly the diversity of the family Malvaceae (s.l.) along with its useful species have been depicted in the article. A total of 43 genera and 138 species of this family has been enumerated with their state wise distribution in this region. Four species of this family viz. Heritiera dubia Wall. ex Kurz,
Sterculia khasiana Debb. ex Biswas, Mansonia dipikae Purkay. and Sterculia striatiflora Mast. are endemic to India and adjoining areas are naturally growing in this region. Some economically important species including medicinal plants, horticultural and potential ornamental species of this family have been mentioned. Conservation of vegetation in this species rich region against threats from intolerable pressure of development, needs to be solved through the formulation and execution of suitable strategies. A key to the genera and key to the species have been added based on morphological characters for easy identification of these plants.
Diversity of Plants and Microbes: Conservation and Traditional Uses, 2024
While knowledge is often passed on through regular indigenous performances which include oral tra... more While knowledge is often passed on through regular indigenous performances which include oral traditions, songs, dances, ceremonies and lifestyles. Skilled indigenous individuals shoulder the responsibilities of maintaining the traditional knowledge breathed by their forefathers. Although paddy plantation may occur as seasonal pattern in many parts of north-east India, the art of paddy plantation is significantly celebrated
as a customary landmark of preserving and interpreting the culturally rooted past of the Purul people (Hiimai) amongst the Poumai Naga community. Paoki in Poula (Paddy plantation) festival is a three-day (Ranaiyu, Thaopaiyu and Khanaiyu) long celebration in the month of May wherein only the king of the village advocates the day and date of the festival following Poumai’s traditional lunar calendar in reverse order. The villagers undergo a ponderous sequence of preparation with rituals and careful observation of the interaction between living beings and natural processes within an ecosystem to achieve the success of the festival. The abundant source of water helps to grow huge amount of fishes with distinct taste. The paper discussed different events of the festival along with their social and ecological implications
Diversity of Plants and Microbes: Conservation and Traditional Uses, 2024
Paddy is cultivated over wide areas in Arunachal Pradesh of India since long. Like any other crop... more Paddy is cultivated over wide areas in Arunachal Pradesh of India since long. Like any other crop, weeds affect the paddy cultivation also in this remote hilly state. However, till date no data is available related to such weeds from Arunachal Pradesh. Recent survey of weeds in pre-and post-harvest paddy-fields of Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh recorded a total of 184 species. A higher number of 137 species recorded from pre-harvest fields against the occurrence of 106 species in post-harvest fields. The weed flora is dominated by herbaceous plants (115 spp. annuals, 44 spp. perennials). While Ageratum houstonianum is with highest IVI score in pre-harvest fields, it is Rotala rotundifolia in post-harvest fields. These two species are most dominating in both the seasons. The Life-form classification shown the presence of 67.56 % therophytes and the spectrum is not at par with the ambient environment.
Narosa Publishing House, 2020
Preservation of plant materials is a huge subject. Techniques differ for different groups or habi... more Preservation of plant materials is a huge subject. Techniques differ for different groups or habits of plants and is also related to the purpose of preservation. Herbariums are the natural history museums storing and are displaying specially mounted dried and poisoned plant specimens meant for numerous scientific and social benefits. The article discussed the methods of herbarium-sheet preparation starting from plant collection leading to the final storage, maintenance and utilization.
Some special techniques like colour preservation in herbarium- specimens and the digitization of herbariums are also discussed with details of some easily applicable methods.
Herbaria round the world are recording the planet’s plant diversity and the people of future generations will be enriched about the lost plants of the world as the rate of extinction of species is increasing very fast.
Medicinal Plants of India: Conservation and Sustainable Use, 2019
North eastern and Eastern region of Indian Himalaya are well known as important biodiversity zone... more North eastern and Eastern region of Indian Himalaya are well known as important biodiversity zones of the world. The biodiversity of these regions is under high anthropogenic pressure and fall within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot as recognized by the IUCN. Therefore, the entire region attracted botanists, plant lovers and plant hunters from round the world to visit, explore and exploit its vegetation severely during the last three centuries. While, many of the East Himalayan species are no more available in their native habitat, some of those are available in European gardens even today. Within these regions Terai and Duars in the northern part of West Bengal are also equally rich in vegetation cover having continuity with the Eastern Himalayan forests. Northeastern states represent one of the top rated regions in the world for the floristic richness. Innumerable sects of people living there, almost in isolation, without the benefit of advanced civilization have developed indigenous traditional knowledge. Importance of East Himalayan vegetation from the utilitarian point is immense. There are numerous publications related to different types of useful plants native to the region including numerous medicinally important species of plants. Number of in situ and ex situ protected areas has been established in the region to conserve the species. In situ conservation categories are represented by Protected Areas (PAs) in this region. Ex situ medicinal plant conservatories are represented by Saramsa Garden of Medicinal Plants, Garden of Medicinal Plants of NBU, small gardens in colleges and schools, and of Forest Department. Sikkim is a small state having seven Sanctuaries, one National Park and on Biosphere Reserve within its territory. On the other hand, ‘Terai, Duars and Darjeeling Hills’, quite a small area, together, has five National Parks, five Sanctuaries and one Tiger Reserve. Similarly, in different other states of Northeast India numerous such PAs has been recognized. In a recent study, assessment of the occurrence of medicinal plants in the MPCAs located in Terai and Duars has exposed the existence of rich green wealth that need to be conserved.
Key words: Biodiversity Hotspots, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, Protected Areas, Ex-situ
University of North Bengal, 2006
U Un ni iv ve er rs si it ty y o of f N No or rt th h B Be en ng ga al l SILIGURI N Na at ti io o... more U Un ni iv ve er rs si it ty y o of f N No or rt th h B Be en ng ga al l SILIGURI N Na at ti io on na al l M Me ed di ic ci in na al l P Pl la an nt ts s B Bo oa ar rd d NEW DELHI
Floristic Diversity in the Himalaya Hotspot Region, Vol. - II, 2018
Floristic Diversity in the Hotspot Region, Vol_I, 2018
The unique location of the University of North Bengal at the feet of the great Himalayas, which i... more The unique location of the University of North Bengal at the feet of the great Himalayas, which is a treasure house of biological diversity, made it an important centre for studies in biodiversity. The progress of civilisation related activities are now exerting tremendous pressure on the survival of numerous rare and interesting elements. Realizing the situation IUCN has declared the entire Himalayan range as Himalaya Hotspot for Conservation.
![Research paper thumbnail of Authors of Botanical Names. [2012] By: A.P. Das](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/30753069/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Sep 29, 2012
Gour Mahavidyalaya, Maldaa, 2010
Pleione, 2019
Published on its scheduled date, i.e. on 31st December 2019. There are 25 research articles, one ... more Published on its scheduled date, i.e. on 31st December 2019.
There are 25 research articles, one Conference Report and Book Review.
PLEIONE, East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy; www.ehsst.org, Dec 31, 2014
PLEIONE, East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy; www.ehsst.org, Jun 30, 2014
30 Addition to the Flora of Barak Valley of Assam, India. Mukul Kumar Baruah and M. Dutta Choudhu... more 30 Addition to the Flora of Barak Valley of Assam, India. Mukul Kumar Baruah and M. Dutta Choudhury 37 Effect of solvent, temperature, pH and duration on extraction process of anti-thiamine factor present in Ageratum conyzoides Linnaeus (Asteraceae) leaves. Mrinmoy Guria, Prasenjit
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy [www.ehsst.org\], Dec 31, 2013
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy; www.ehsst.org, Jun 30, 2013
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, September 2012
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Dec 31, 2012
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Jun 30, 2012
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Dec 31, 2011
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Jun 30, 2011
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Dec 31, 2010
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Jun 30, 2010
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Dec 31, 2009
East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy, Jun 30, 2009
Short CV of A P Das, 2019
My contribution or life-time achievement in brief!!
Uttar Banga Sambad, Apr 14, 2013
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The Telegraph, Jan 1, 2014
Pleione, 2023
This book, the Orchid Flora of Dibrugarh District of Assam is a very important book for the orchi... more This book, the Orchid Flora of Dibrugarh District of Assam is a very important book for the orchid-loving people. This is the first-ever comprehensive photographic and taxonomic treatment with an up-to-date enumeration of orchids recorded from the Dibrugarh District of Assam. It aims at providing the reader with details of the orchid wealth of Dibrugarh District and each taxon is described along with colour photos and line drawings. The concise general introduction, a brief description of Dibrugarh District with climate, habitat and orchid population, morphology of orchids, ethnobotany, threats and conservation of orchids within Dibrugarh District; Systematic list of Subfamilies and Genera and Key to Genera and those are followed by a detailed analysis of 135 specific and intraspecific taxa belonging 56 genera of native orchids known from this district. The life form, growth habit, morphology and pollination of orchids have been discussed under Morphology section. A large number of figures to elaborate habit, inflorescence, flower and lip-structure have been provided to show the diversity in the vegetative and reproductive organs of orchids. All the genera and species under each genus are enumerated alphabetically. In the enumeration, while a generic name is provided with the author citation and generic description only, a species binomial is followed by the author citation, detailed morphological description, flowering, habitat, altitudinal range and distribution. A suitable Key to the species framed with easily accessible characters will be quite helpful in identification in field and laboratory. A glossary of the botanic terms used has been provided at the end of this book. I am excited and hope that the book will serve as a comprehensive identification guide for different groups of people including botanists, foresters, nature explorers, orchid lovers, nurserymen and amateur orchid growers. So, this new book Orchid Flora of Dibrugarh District of Assam will very soon be an important contribution to our knowledge not only of the orchids of this District but for the overall orchid flora of entire Northeast India.
Pleione, 2019
This book, the Orchids of Assam - A Pictorial Guide is almost a treasure house for the orchid-lov... more This book, the Orchids of Assam - A Pictorial Guide is almost a treasure house for the orchid-loving people around the world. The Flora of Assam (Kanjilal et al. 1934 – 1940) did not include this family so it was extremely difficult to work with this group of plants collected from Assam.