Atanu Nayak | Vidyasagar University (original) (raw)
Papers by Atanu Nayak
Indian forester/Indian Forester, Sep 1, 2023
Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and ofte... more Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and often dedicated to certain regional deities. Being islands of biodiversity, they act as traditional in-situ conservation sites for local flora. This paper highlights the comparative account of eight (8) isolated sacred groves, situated in eight (8) administrative blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal. These groves conserve 190 species of angiosperms including some economically and medicinally important plant species, of which a significant portion (28.42%) is tree in nature, though herbs constitute the majority (39.4%). Although the size of the groves is different as so their species richness is, but there lying a strong positive correlation (r=0.93, p<0.001) between them. Distribution pattern analysis of the flora reveals that majority of the plants (82 sp.) fall into the frequency class B followed by frequency class ‘A’ (74 sp.), with Alangium salviifolium and Parthenium hysterophorus are the two most frequent species (87.5%). Besides, these groves in-house three near threatened (NT) and one vulnerable (VU) plant species according to the IUCN Red List 2022-2. Site disturbance score analysis of the groves reveals that maximum numbers of studied groves (5) fall into the category B, whereas invasion and grazing are the main two factors affecting the site scores. While enumerating the invasive alien species (IAS), a total number of 48 species were documented. Moreover, it is also found that there is strong negative correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between species richness (S) of a sacred grove and the percentage of IAS found within. This is also true for the correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between area of a particular grove and the percentage of IAS present within. These results confirm that small area of a grove contains a smaller number of species which is more prone to invasion. The nativity of the invaders was also worked out. This study thus recommends to manage sacred groves by classifying them on the basis of their site score and special emphasis should be given to restore the severely effected such groves as they are not only the adobe of regional biodiversity but also the institutions of our cultural heritage.
Indian Forester, 2023
Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and ofte... more Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and often dedicated to certain regional deities. Being islands of biodiversity, they act as traditional in-situ conservation sites for local flora. This paper highlights the comparative account of eight (8) isolated sacred groves, situated in eight (8) administrative blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal. These groves conserve 190 species of angiosperms including some economically and medicinally important plant species, of which a significant portion (28.42%) is tree in nature, though herbs constitute the majority (39.4%). Although the size of the groves is different as so their species richness is, but there lying a strong positive correlation (r=0.93, p<0.001) between them. Distribution pattern analysis of the flora reveals that majority of the plants (82 sp.) fall into the frequency class B followed by frequency class ‘A’ (74 sp.), with Alangium salviifolium and Parthenium hysterophorus are the two most frequent species (87.5%). Besides, these groves in-house three near threatened (NT) and one vulnerable (VU) plant species according to the IUCN Red List 2022-2. Site disturbance score analysis of the groves reveals that maximum numbers of studied groves (5) fall into the category B, whereas invasion and grazing are the main two factors affecting the site scores. While enumerating the invasive alien species (IAS), a total number of 48 species were documented. Moreover, it is also found that there is strong negative correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between species richness (S) of a sacred grove and the percentage of IAS found within. This is also true for the correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between area of a particular grove and the percentage of IAS present within. These results confirm that small area of a grove contains a smaller number of species which is more prone to invasion. The nativity of the invaders was also worked out. This study thus recommends to manage sacred groves by classifying them on the basis of their site score and special emphasis should be given to restore the severely effected such groves as they are not only the adobe of regional biodiversity but also the institutions of our cultural heritage.
Indian Journal of Biological Sciences, 2018
Sacred groves are distinct patches of vegetation which are consecrated in the name of local deit... more Sacred groves are distinct patches of vegetation which are consecrated in the name of local deities. Bankura is one of the southwestern districts of West Bengal, having many sacred groves, which harbor a certain amount of medicinal plants. The present paper highlights on the ethno-medicinal plant diversity and their traditional uses of five (5) sacred groves situated in five (5) blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal. This study records the presence of all total of 40 species of plants under 38 genera belonging to 26 different families. Out of the 40 plant species, 7 plants are traditionally used to cure various skin diseases, 6 plants are used in gastrointestinal problems and 5 species are used to cure various respiratory diseases. Moreover, one plant is used to cure food poisoning in cows and seeds of another one is used as poison to kill the rats. The modern-day threats to the ethno-medicinal plants and also to the sacred groves are discussed. In search of remedies, the authors strongly recommend a strict Government conservation policy on the sacred groves to help protect, preserve and maintenances of the ethno-medicinal plants as well as the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).
Journal of Advanced Scientific Research, 2019
Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the w... more Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the world. On the other hand, sacred groves (SGs) are the traditionally conserved forest pockets, maintained by indigenous people, serve as the in-situ conservation sites for local biodiversity. This paper highlights the diversity and status of the IAS in 5 sacred groves of Bankura district, West Bengal. This type of study was never done before in West Bengal, which focuses only on the invasive flora of the sacred groves. In this study we have found 27 invasive alien plants under 26 genera, belonging to 17 families of dicot angiosperms. Out of the 27 plant species, most of them (20 sp.,74%) are herbs. Moreover, maximum number (8 sp.) of the plants belong to the family Asteraceae. The major effects of the IAS are also mentioned. The nativity of the IAS were recorded and the "Tropical America" is found to be the native place of maximum number of invasive plants (15 sp.), whereas Parthenium hysterophorus and Croton bonplandianum (F = 100%) are the most frequent species. The Sonamela Bograsini Than (Sl.-3) possesses maximum number of invasive plants (17 sp.), whereas Kadmaghati Maa Khayraburir Than (Sl.-1) has the least number (7 sp.). Moreover, the areas of the SGs are negatively correlated (r=-0.967) to the number of IAS found in that sacred grove, that means the small sacred groves are in more threat of invasion. Along with IAS, the other threats to the sacred groves are also mentioned and the authors recommend to imply proper control methods for the IAS and a strict government policy on the maintenance of the sacred groves.
Journal of Botanical Society of Bengal, 2019
JOURNAL OF BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF BENGAL , 2019
Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the w... more Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the world after habitat loss. On the other hand, sacred groves (SGs) are the traditionally conserved forest pockets, maintained by indigenous people, serve as the in-situ conservation sites for local biodiversity. This paper highlights the diversity and status of the IAS in five sacred groves situated in Bankura district of West Bengal. In this study we have found 34 invasive alien plants under 32 genera, belonging to 19 families of dicot and 1 family of monocot angiosperms. The nativity of the IAS were recorded and the ‘Tropical America’ is found to be the native place of maximum number of invasive plants (20 spp.). Moreover, the areas of the SGs are somehow negatively correlated (r = -0.162) to the number of IAS found in that sacred groves and the number of IAS is negatively correlated (r = -0.594) to the total number of plant species found within the grove. This establishes the super competing ability of the IAS where the community is still in its primary seral stages. Accessing the threats to the native vegetation of these socially protected areas, the authors recommend to imply proper control methods for the IAS and a strict government policy on the maintenance of the sacred groves.
Books by Atanu Nayak
New Vistas in Indian Flora (Vol. II), 2021
Sacred groves are patches of forests protected on socio-religious grounds, often dedicated to cer... more Sacred groves are patches of forests protected on socio-religious grounds, often dedicated to certain deities. Being islands of biodiversity, they are traditional way of in-situ conservation of nature and natural resources. This paper highlights the role of eight (8) isolated sacred groves, situated in seven (7) blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal, towards conservation of 102 species of angiosperms including herbs, shrubs, climbers, trees and epiphytes. These groves also supports some NTFPs. Social and conservation values of the sacred groves are also discussed. The existing threats and conservation status of the groves are too mentioned. This study thus recommends to protect these groves.
Indian forester/Indian Forester, Sep 1, 2023
Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and ofte... more Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and often dedicated to certain regional deities. Being islands of biodiversity, they act as traditional in-situ conservation sites for local flora. This paper highlights the comparative account of eight (8) isolated sacred groves, situated in eight (8) administrative blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal. These groves conserve 190 species of angiosperms including some economically and medicinally important plant species, of which a significant portion (28.42%) is tree in nature, though herbs constitute the majority (39.4%). Although the size of the groves is different as so their species richness is, but there lying a strong positive correlation (r=0.93, p<0.001) between them. Distribution pattern analysis of the flora reveals that majority of the plants (82 sp.) fall into the frequency class B followed by frequency class ‘A’ (74 sp.), with Alangium salviifolium and Parthenium hysterophorus are the two most frequent species (87.5%). Besides, these groves in-house three near threatened (NT) and one vulnerable (VU) plant species according to the IUCN Red List 2022-2. Site disturbance score analysis of the groves reveals that maximum numbers of studied groves (5) fall into the category B, whereas invasion and grazing are the main two factors affecting the site scores. While enumerating the invasive alien species (IAS), a total number of 48 species were documented. Moreover, it is also found that there is strong negative correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between species richness (S) of a sacred grove and the percentage of IAS found within. This is also true for the correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between area of a particular grove and the percentage of IAS present within. These results confirm that small area of a grove contains a smaller number of species which is more prone to invasion. The nativity of the invaders was also worked out. This study thus recommends to manage sacred groves by classifying them on the basis of their site score and special emphasis should be given to restore the severely effected such groves as they are not only the adobe of regional biodiversity but also the institutions of our cultural heritage.
Indian Forester, 2023
Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and ofte... more Sacred groves are tree clusters protected on socio-religious grounds since ancient times and often dedicated to certain regional deities. Being islands of biodiversity, they act as traditional in-situ conservation sites for local flora. This paper highlights the comparative account of eight (8) isolated sacred groves, situated in eight (8) administrative blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal. These groves conserve 190 species of angiosperms including some economically and medicinally important plant species, of which a significant portion (28.42%) is tree in nature, though herbs constitute the majority (39.4%). Although the size of the groves is different as so their species richness is, but there lying a strong positive correlation (r=0.93, p<0.001) between them. Distribution pattern analysis of the flora reveals that majority of the plants (82 sp.) fall into the frequency class B followed by frequency class ‘A’ (74 sp.), with Alangium salviifolium and Parthenium hysterophorus are the two most frequent species (87.5%). Besides, these groves in-house three near threatened (NT) and one vulnerable (VU) plant species according to the IUCN Red List 2022-2. Site disturbance score analysis of the groves reveals that maximum numbers of studied groves (5) fall into the category B, whereas invasion and grazing are the main two factors affecting the site scores. While enumerating the invasive alien species (IAS), a total number of 48 species were documented. Moreover, it is also found that there is strong negative correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between species richness (S) of a sacred grove and the percentage of IAS found within. This is also true for the correlation (r=-0.91, p<0.001) between area of a particular grove and the percentage of IAS present within. These results confirm that small area of a grove contains a smaller number of species which is more prone to invasion. The nativity of the invaders was also worked out. This study thus recommends to manage sacred groves by classifying them on the basis of their site score and special emphasis should be given to restore the severely effected such groves as they are not only the adobe of regional biodiversity but also the institutions of our cultural heritage.
Indian Journal of Biological Sciences, 2018
Sacred groves are distinct patches of vegetation which are consecrated in the name of local deit... more Sacred groves are distinct patches of vegetation which are consecrated in the name of local deities. Bankura is one of the southwestern districts of West Bengal, having many sacred groves, which harbor a certain amount of medicinal plants. The present paper highlights on the ethno-medicinal plant diversity and their traditional uses of five (5) sacred groves situated in five (5) blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal. This study records the presence of all total of 40 species of plants under 38 genera belonging to 26 different families. Out of the 40 plant species, 7 plants are traditionally used to cure various skin diseases, 6 plants are used in gastrointestinal problems and 5 species are used to cure various respiratory diseases. Moreover, one plant is used to cure food poisoning in cows and seeds of another one is used as poison to kill the rats. The modern-day threats to the ethno-medicinal plants and also to the sacred groves are discussed. In search of remedies, the authors strongly recommend a strict Government conservation policy on the sacred groves to help protect, preserve and maintenances of the ethno-medicinal plants as well as the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).
Journal of Advanced Scientific Research, 2019
Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the w... more Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the world. On the other hand, sacred groves (SGs) are the traditionally conserved forest pockets, maintained by indigenous people, serve as the in-situ conservation sites for local biodiversity. This paper highlights the diversity and status of the IAS in 5 sacred groves of Bankura district, West Bengal. This type of study was never done before in West Bengal, which focuses only on the invasive flora of the sacred groves. In this study we have found 27 invasive alien plants under 26 genera, belonging to 17 families of dicot angiosperms. Out of the 27 plant species, most of them (20 sp.,74%) are herbs. Moreover, maximum number (8 sp.) of the plants belong to the family Asteraceae. The major effects of the IAS are also mentioned. The nativity of the IAS were recorded and the "Tropical America" is found to be the native place of maximum number of invasive plants (15 sp.), whereas Parthenium hysterophorus and Croton bonplandianum (F = 100%) are the most frequent species. The Sonamela Bograsini Than (Sl.-3) possesses maximum number of invasive plants (17 sp.), whereas Kadmaghati Maa Khayraburir Than (Sl.-1) has the least number (7 sp.). Moreover, the areas of the SGs are negatively correlated (r=-0.967) to the number of IAS found in that sacred grove, that means the small sacred groves are in more threat of invasion. Along with IAS, the other threats to the sacred groves are also mentioned and the authors recommend to imply proper control methods for the IAS and a strict government policy on the maintenance of the sacred groves.
Journal of Botanical Society of Bengal, 2019
JOURNAL OF BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF BENGAL , 2019
Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the w... more Invasive alien species (IAS) are marked as the second largest cause of biodiversity loss in the world after habitat loss. On the other hand, sacred groves (SGs) are the traditionally conserved forest pockets, maintained by indigenous people, serve as the in-situ conservation sites for local biodiversity. This paper highlights the diversity and status of the IAS in five sacred groves situated in Bankura district of West Bengal. In this study we have found 34 invasive alien plants under 32 genera, belonging to 19 families of dicot and 1 family of monocot angiosperms. The nativity of the IAS were recorded and the ‘Tropical America’ is found to be the native place of maximum number of invasive plants (20 spp.). Moreover, the areas of the SGs are somehow negatively correlated (r = -0.162) to the number of IAS found in that sacred groves and the number of IAS is negatively correlated (r = -0.594) to the total number of plant species found within the grove. This establishes the super competing ability of the IAS where the community is still in its primary seral stages. Accessing the threats to the native vegetation of these socially protected areas, the authors recommend to imply proper control methods for the IAS and a strict government policy on the maintenance of the sacred groves.
New Vistas in Indian Flora (Vol. II), 2021
Sacred groves are patches of forests protected on socio-religious grounds, often dedicated to cer... more Sacred groves are patches of forests protected on socio-religious grounds, often dedicated to certain deities. Being islands of biodiversity, they are traditional way of in-situ conservation of nature and natural resources. This paper highlights the role of eight (8) isolated sacred groves, situated in seven (7) blocks of Bankura district, West Bengal, towards conservation of 102 species of angiosperms including herbs, shrubs, climbers, trees and epiphytes. These groves also supports some NTFPs. Social and conservation values of the sacred groves are also discussed. The existing threats and conservation status of the groves are too mentioned. This study thus recommends to protect these groves.