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FLORISTIC AND SOCIO
-
DIMASA TRIBES
OF DIMA HASAO DISTRICT, HAFLONG CIRCLE OF NORTH EAST INDIA
Devika Langthasa
1Department of Eco-
Restoration, Dimoria
Department, Dibrugarh University, Assam, India
2
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam Un
A R T I C L E I N F O
INTRODUCTION
Biological diversity and its values are
diminishing day by day
at a large scale and human understanding to this is just a
bigining. Deforestation has been a global impact for species
extinction, loss of renewable resources and loss of ecosystem
services
(Butler, 2010). People are provided with food,
medicine and livelihood from forest and it also helps in
maintaining indigenous culture (Pei,
et al
ecologists started to give importance to how a traditional
person uses the natural resources wi
thout destroying them.
Humans from different societies have found out different ways
of dealing with nature. In remote areas ethnic groups have
culture to have a sacred place or saved site. The conservation
of this rapidly diminishing pool of experience, a
cultural diversity is as the conservation of biological diversity
(Ramakrishnan, 1996). There are many traditional way of
conserving and protecting the biodiversity and sacred group is
one such example of traditional practices.
International Journal of Current Advanced Research
ISSN: O: 2319-6475, ISSN: P: 2319-
6505,
Available Online at
www.journalijcar.org
Volume 7; Issue 7(E); July 2018
; Page No.
DOI: http:
//dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2018
Copyright©2018 Devika Langthasa et al.
This is an open access article distributed under
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
*Corresponding author: Suraj Sharma
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam
University, Silchar, Assam, India
Article History:
Received 11th April, 2018
Received in revised form 4th
May, 2018 Accepted 23rd June, 2018
Published online 28th July, 2018
Key words:
Daikho, Community Management, Taboos,
Sacred Grove, Traditional Practices
-CULTURAL STUDIES OF THE SACRED GROVES OF THE
OF DIMA HASAO DISTRICT, HAFLONG CIRCLE OF NORTH EAST INDIA
Devika Langthasa
1, Suraj Sharma2* and
Jonali Barman
Restoration, Dimoria
College, Khetri (Affiliated under Life Science
Department, Dibrugarh University, Assam, India
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
A B S T R A C T
Sacred and
traditional beliefs plays an significant role in conservation of biodiversity.
Based on spiritual and cultural values,
local communities in many parts of the world have
conserved sacred forests or groves. This research studied 3 Sacred Groves (
D
imaHasao that are protected by the Dimasa community through their religious beliefs. 10
quadrats were taken from each sacred grove, i.e. (1x1)m for herbs, (5x5)m for shrubs was
laid down randomly for vegetation analysis. Floristic analysis revealed that a
species belonging to
42 genera and 27 families were observed in the Sacred Grove. Total
numbers of herb, shrub, climbers and fern species encountered in each Sacred Grove were
29, 10 and 6 respectively. The Simpson value index for dominance and
Index of herbs and shrubs showed highest species diversity in site 1 and site 2.The data
collected include information regarding the Sacred Groves and their associate deities,
nearest human habitation and their floral diversity. A questionn
nearby villages namely Nabdidaolaguphu (Site 1), Gerem
Different deities are worshipped in different Daikho
and each
deities dwelling in respective Sacred Groves. Many taboos help in managing the natural
resource of the Sacred Grove. But people’s change in their attitude, human impact and
erosion of religious beliefs have degraded Sacred Groves year
traditional culture, existing local community management of resources and creating
awareness among the communities is highly recommended.
diminishing day by day
at a large scale and human understanding to this is just a
bigining. Deforestation has been a global impact for species
extinction, loss of renewable resources and loss of ecosystem
(Butler, 2010). People are provided with food,
medicine and livelihood from forest and it also helps in
et al
., 2009). Many
ecologists started to give importance to how a traditional
thout destroying them.
Humans from different societies have found out different ways
of dealing with nature. In remote areas ethnic groups have
culture to have a sacred place or saved site. The conservation
of this rapidly diminishing pool of experience, a
kind of
cultural diversity is as the conservation of biological diversity
(Ramakrishnan, 1996). There are many traditional way of
conserving and protecting the biodiversity and sacred group is
The cultural,
religious beliefs and taboos that deities reside in
this forest are the reasons why forests are left undisturbed by
the local peoples which give a home to rich biodiversity and
are protected by the indigenous people.
Sacred Groves in North-
East India
In North-
East India patches of forest near the villages have
been declared as Sacred Grove and protected by the religious
and cultural beliefs since age old by the tribal communities.
Large number of sacred groves has been reported in the states
of Meghalaya
, Manipur, Karbi
districts of Assam (Tripathi, 2001). A few of the sacred groves
were managed by Lamas and Mompa tribe in Arunachal
Pradesh which are attached to the Buddhists monasteries and
they are called Gompa Forest Areas (GFAs)
reported from West Kameng and Tawang district of Arunachal
Pradesh (Malhotra et al.,
2001) and a few sacred groves from
Lower Subansiri and Siang district of the state (Chatterjee
al., 2000). Khan et al.,
(2008)
groves from Arunachal Pradesh. KarbiAnglong district of
Assam has about 40 sacred groves. In Dima
number of sacred groves reported are 12 (Medhi and Kumar,
2013). Dimasa tribes in Dima
International Journal of Current Advanced Research
6505,
Impact Factor: 6.614
www.journalijcar.org
; Page No.
14209-14214
//dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2018
.14214.2568
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam
CULTURAL STUDIES OF THE SACRED GROVES OF THE
OF DIMA HASAO DISTRICT, HAFLONG CIRCLE OF NORTH EAST INDIA
Jonali Barman
1
College, Khetri (Affiliated under Life Science
iversity, Silchar, Assam, India
traditional beliefs plays an significant role in conservation of biodiversity.
local communities in many parts of the world have
conserved sacred forests or groves. This research studied 3 Sacred Groves (
Daikho) in
imaHasao that are protected by the Dimasa community through their religious beliefs. 10
quadrats were taken from each sacred grove, i.e. (1x1)m for herbs, (5x5)m for shrubs was
laid down randomly for vegetation analysis. Floristic analysis revealed that a
total of 44
42 genera and 27 families were observed in the Sacred Grove. Total
numbers of herb, shrub, climbers and fern species encountered in each Sacred Grove were
29, 10 and 6 respectively. The Simpson value index for dominance and
Shannon Weiner
Index of herbs and shrubs showed highest species diversity in site 1 and site 2.The data
collected include information regarding the Sacred Groves and their associate deities,
nearest human habitation and their floral diversity. A questionn
aire was conducted in the
nearby villages namely Nabdidaolaguphu (Site 1), Gerem
(Site 2) and Longma (Site 3).
and each
Daikho was named after the
deities dwelling in respective Sacred Groves. Many taboos help in managing the natural
resource of the Sacred Grove. But people’s change in their attitude, human impact and
erosion of religious beliefs have degraded Sacred Groves year
after year. So, supporting
traditional culture, existing local community management of resources and creating
awareness among the communities is highly recommended.
religious beliefs and taboos that deities reside in
this forest are the reasons why forests are left undisturbed by
the local peoples which give a home to rich biodiversity and
are protected by the indigenous people.
East India
East India patches of forest near the villages have
been declared as Sacred Grove and protected by the religious
and cultural beliefs since age old by the tribal communities.
Large number of sacred groves has been reported in the states
, Manipur, Karbi
-Anglong and Dima Hasao
districts of Assam (Tripathi, 2001). A few of the sacred groves
were managed by Lamas and Mompa tribe in Arunachal
Pradesh which are attached to the Buddhists monasteries and
they are called Gompa Forest Areas (GFAs)
. 58 GFAs were
reported from West Kameng and Tawang district of Arunachal
2001) and a few sacred groves from
Lower Subansiri and Siang district of the state (Chatterjee
et
(2008)
reported a total of 101 sacred
groves from Arunachal Pradesh. KarbiAnglong district of
Assam has about 40 sacred groves. In Dima
Hasao district the
number of sacred groves reported are 12 (Medhi and Kumar,
Hasao called the sacred groves
Research Article
the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
Floristic And Socio-Cultural Studies of the Sacred Groves of the Dimasa Tribes of Dima Hasao District, Haflong Circle of North
East India
14210
as Daikho. In Manipur the existence of about 365 sacred
groves have been reported (Devi, 2000). Tiwari et al., (1998a)
inventorised 79 sacred groves of Meghalaya. In Sikkim, 35
sacred groves have been reported that are either attached to the
local monasteries or maintain by the village community.
Sikkim revealed 241 species representing 183 genera under 84
families (Dash, 2005).
Sacred Grove in Dima Hasao District
Sacred Groves are locally known as Daikho in Dima Hasao
district of Assam. There are 6 ancestral Gods viz.Sibarai,
Aluraja, Naikuraja, Waa raja, Ganiyung-Braiyung and who are
called Madai and the whole Dimasa land is under their
jurisdiction. In earlier time the whole Dimasa land was divided
into 12 religious Daikhos. These Daikhos are very important as
the forest patches are conserved through the community
participation for ethical aspects. Till today there are a total 12
Daikhos maintained by Dimasa community (Medhi and
Kumar, 2013).
The present study is an attempt to understand the floristic
diversity including its composition and degradation factors on
overall floristic diversity of the selected 3 Sacred Groves. This
study on the species composition and their biodiversity play an
important role in assessing the ecological status of Sacred
Groves in conserving the natural resources.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area: The study was conducted in Damadi Daikho (Site
1), Misim Daikho(Site 2) and also in Daikho which is in
Longma(Site 3) village in the DimaHasao district of Assam
(Figure 1). The Damadi Daikho is located at a distance of 23
Km and Misim Daikho is located at a distance of 35 Km
from the headquarter Haflong and Daikho is Longma is
located at a distance of 16 km from Haflong slope.The
climate is characterized by coolness, generally high humidity
nearly all the year round and abundant rainfall. The cold
season from December to February is followed by the season
of thunder storms from March to May. Average annual rainfall
is 3110.5mm. The minimum and maximum temperature during
winter is 110C and 270C whereas the minimum and maximum
temperature during summer is 240C and 330C respectively.
The soil is acidic in nature with pH 5.60, 6.24 and 6.12
respectively.
Field Survey
Data collection: The total area 1.49, 0.69, and 0.60 ha of
Sacred Groves was divided into 10 quadrats of (1x1)m for
herbs, (5x5)m for shrubs and climbers. The data was collected
from last of November 2017 till May 2018.The specimens
collected were identified with the help of Regional flora
(Kanjilal et al., 1939)
Data analysis: The following phytosociological parameters
were undertaken for the study. Density, Relative Density,
Frequency, Relative Frequency, Abundance, Relative
Abundance.
Quantitative Assessment: The data were analysed for
Simpson’s Index and Shannon Weiner Index. Diversity indices
provide important information about rarity and commonness of
species in a community.
Simpson Index of Diversity: Simpson index is used to
estimate the degree of dominance and mostly used to
determine dominance between different populations. The
Simpson’s value of D varies from 0-1. If value tends towards 0
Diversity is infinite and if value is 1 diversity is less (Sheikh et
al., 2017).
Species Dominance: It was calculated following the index by
Simpson (1949):
Simpson’s Index (D) = − ∑()
() ,
Where: ni= total number of each individual species, N= Total
no. of all the species.
The Shannon Weiner index (Shannon and Weiner 1949) is
used to calculate the diversity of species:
Shannon Weiner index (H) =∑
Where, pi =proportion of total sample belonging to i species
and S= number of species.
Questionnaire Survey
A survey was conducted at the village level. The aim of the
survey conducted was to investigate the increasing concern
about degradation of Sacred Groves. The questionnaire were
designed as to gather information about their perception of the
grove, impact on their lives,its significance, their intimate
spiritual relationship and dependence, how they feel about the
degradation and changes (Pruthi and Burch Jr.2009). In each
village both the male and female members were interviewed
from various age groups. Nabdidaolaguphu village which is
near to Damadi Daikho, Gerem village near Misim Daikho and
Longma village near Longma Sacred Grove comprising of
total population each 164, 131, and 90. Lobam Kemprai, priest
of the Sacred Grove was also interviewed. Questionnaire was
conducted at home, school with teacher and students also.
RESULTS
A total of 44 species belonging to 42 genera and 27 families
were observed in the Sacred Groves (Table 2, 3, & 4). Out of
45 species 29 species ware herbs, 10 shrubs and 6 climbers and
ferns. 11 species were common in all the three Sacred Groves.
The density for Acmella paniculata (4.41) was highest in
Site1. The frequency of Acmella paniculata, Arisaema bockii
and Commelina odorata (2.64) species was found to be highest
in site1. Tetrastigma pubinerve and Oxalis corymbosa species
have highest abundance in Site 1. Commelina communis (2.98)
has highest frequency, Centella asiatica and Chromolaena
odorata has highest abundance and Centella asiatica (2.81)
has the highest density in site 2.In site 3 Solanum torvum(7.14)
has highest frequency and Ageratum conyzoides with highest
abundance and Commelina communis (10.6) with highest
density. The quantitative assessment was estimated in which
Shannon Weiner in 3 Sacred Groves were 3.29, 3.18 and 2.99
for herbs, 1.97, 1.94 and 2.03 for shrubs, 1.64, 1.86 and 1.68
for climbers and ferns respectively (Table 1). The Simpson’s
index for three Sacred Groves are 0.4316, 0.0471 and 0.0585
for herbs, 0.1542, 0.1508 and 0.1373 for shrubs, 0.2077, 0.153
and 0.1927 for climbers and ferns respectively. Ethnobotanical
importance of the Sacred Grove was also observed, various
medicinal plants were assessed with the help of priest in the
nearby village.
International Journal of Current Advanced Research Vol 7, Issue 7(E), pp 14209-14214, July 2018
14211
Photo Plates 1
A.Cyperus cyperoides (L) B.Eryngium foetidum (L)
C.Setaria palmifolia (J.Koeing) Stapf D.Dichrocephala integrifolia (L.f) Kuntz
E. Polygonum chinense (L) F.Achyranthes aspera (L)
Photo Plates 2
G. Alocaciama crorrhizos (Schott) H. Polygonum chinense (L)
I.Lantana camara (L) J. Solanum torvum (Sw)
K. Clerodendrum canescens (L) L. Oxalis corniculata(L).
Photo Plates 3
M. Impatiens balsamina (L) P. Sonchus oleraceus(L)
N. Merremia vitifolia. Q. Acmella paniculata(Walter) Rich
O. Eupatorium colestinum (L) R.Woodwardia Japonica (Sm)
Floristic And Socio-Cultural Studies of the Sacred Groves of the Dimasa Tribes of Dima Hasao District, Haflong Circle of North
East India
14212
S. Interacting with priest in Longma1. W. Interacting with villagers in Nabdidaolaguphu village.
T. Worshipping deity in Damadi Daikho X. Buffalo pats found inside Damadi Daikho
U. Forest cleared for worshipping in Misim Daikho
V. Entrance gate of Damadi Daikho
Table 1 Ecological Diversity Indices and their Table
comparison
Site-1
Species Simpson
index Evenness Shannon
index Evenness
Herbs 0.4316 0.0799 3.29 0.97
Shrubs 0.1542 0.7205 1.97 0.9
Climbers 0.2077 0.8023 1.64 0.92
Site-2
Herbs 0.0471 0.8157 3.18 0.98
Shrubs 0.1508 0.829 1.94 0.93
Climbers 0.153 0.934 1.86 0.96
Site-3
Herbs 0.0585 0.7119 2.99 0.95
Shrubs 0.1373 0.8092 2.03 0.92
Climbers 0.1927 0.8649 1.68 0.94
These medicinal plants can cure various diseases like skin
disease, healing of wounds, snake bite, fever etc. This
knowledge of the medicinal plants shows how indigenous
peoples are closely related to the forest and its species. But due
to various anthropogenic activities in and around the Secred
Groves, which has affected the variability of species. So, there
is an urgent need to know the importance of the Sacred Groves
and the problems arising due to anthropogenic factors, in order
to conserve/restore these vulnerable Sacred Groves.
DISCUSSION
As the study areas were near to the villages and no protection
around the Sacred Groves, various disturbances and their
effects on the normal growth of natural flora was found.
Invasive species like Chromolaena odorata and Mikania
micrantha are present inside the groves. Overgrowth of these
species is a threat to other native species in the Sacred Grove.
Conservation of habitat and ecosystem by means of protected
area network, ecological restoration and sustainable resource
management is very important for biodiversity conservation
(Angermeir, 2000). It has been observed that the Sacred
Groves are the examples of conservation carried out by the
community but it’s also been observed that more importance is
given to the actual deities and religion beliefs than the forest.
This has change ideas over time, which has led to degradation
of the forests. Medhi and Kumar (2013) rediscovered 12
sacred groves that are preserved by the Dimasa community of
North Cachar Hills of Northeast India. Beside they also added
the plants that are considered sacred which are used in
worshipping. They found out 34 plant species that are
considered to be sacred by the Dimasa people. There is no
other work found in the sacred groves of Dima Hasao. The
study showed that the species diversity of site 1 was higher
than the other two Sacred Groves.
Table 2
Herbs
S.No Plant species
Family
DamadiDaikho MisimDaikho Longma-I Daikho
R.F R.D R.A
R.F R.D
R.A
R.F R.D R.A
1 Acalypha australis (L.) Euphorbiaceae 1.67 1.03 1.03
1.32
1.22
1.52
- - -
2 Acmella paniculata(Walter) Rich Asteraceae 2.64 4.41 2.76
0.66
0.75
1.88
5.71 4.15 3.25
3 Ageratum conyzoides(Steud.1840) Asteraceae - - - - - - 2.13 3.94 2.82
4 Ageratum houstonianum(Mill) Astaraceae 2.31 3.57 2.55
- - - 2.85 6.92 10.85
5 Alocacia macrorrhizos(Schott) Araceae 1.32 1.59 1.99
0.99
0.84
1.41
- - -
6 Arisaema bockii(Mart.) Araceae 2.64 1.4 0.88
- - - - - -
7 Bidens pilosa(L.)1753 Asteraceae - - - - - - 5.71 4.15 3.25
8 Centella asiatica(L.) Urban Apiaceae 1.98 3.19 2.56
1.65
2.81
2.82
2.85 4.61 7.23
9 Chinese dicliptera(Juss) Acanthaceae 1.98 1.31 0.01
0.66
0.18
0.47
- - -
10 Colocasia esculenta(L) Schott Araceae 1.65 2.44 2.44
0.99
1.03
1.72
- - -
11 Commelina communis (L.) Connelinaceae 2.64 3.57 2.23
2.98
1.59
0.88
5.71 10.6 8.32
12 Conyza candensis(L) Gonquist Astaraceae 1.67 1.59 1.60
0.66
0.93
2.35
4.28 3.23 3.37
13 Crassocephalum crepidiodes(Bent.) S.M. Astaraceae 1.98 1.78 1.48
2.31
2.16
1.54
- - -
14 Cyperus cyperiodes (L.) Cyperaceae - - - - - - 4.28 5.31 5.54
15 Dichrocephala integrifolia(L.f) Kuntz Astaraceae - - - - - - 5.71 3.23 2.53
16 Eryngium foetidum(L) Apiaceae - - - - - - 4.28 0.92 0.96
17 Eupatorium colestinum Astaraceae 1.67 1.97 1.97
0.66
0.65
1.64
- - -
18 Hedyotischrysatrica (palib.Merr.) Rubiacae 1.98 1.59 1.33
1.32
1.12
1.41
- - -
19 Impatiens balsamina (L.) Balsaminaceae - - - - - - 4.28 9.23 9.62
20 Kyllenga brevifolia(Rottb) Cyperaceae - - - - - - 5.71 12 9.40
21 Lindernia ruelliodes (Colsm.) Pennelt Lindernaceae - - - - - - 2.85 5.77 9.04
22 Merremia vitifolia(Dennot.ex End) Convolvulaceae 2.31 2.53 1.81
1.32
1.97
2.46
- - -
23 Oxalis corymbosa(D.C) Oxalidaceae 2.31 3.94 2.82
1.67
2.53
2.53
0.99 0.84 1.41
24 Percinaria lapathifolia (L.) Delarbre 1800 Polygonaceae _ - - - - - 4.28 2.77 2.89
25 Perilla frustescens (L.) Britton Lamiaceae - - - - - - 5.71 5.08 3.98
26 Plantago asiatica (L.) Plantaginaceae - - - - - - 5.71 5.31 4.16
27 Setaria palmifolia(J.Koeing) Stapf Poacae - - - 1.32
1.03
1.29
1.65 1.03 1.034
28 Sonchus oleraceus( L.1753 not well 1831) Asteraceae 2.31 1.22 0.87
0.33
0.18
0.94
- - -
29 Zingeber mioga(Thumb.) Roscoe Zingiberaceae - - - - - - 4.28 4.15 4.34
R.F= Relative Frequency, R.D= Relative Dominance, R.A= Relative Abundance
International Journal of Current Advanced Research Vol 7, Issue 7(E), pp 14209-14214, July 2018
14213
There was a sign of cattle grazing in site 1 and site 2 whereas
there was no sign of grazing in site 3. During the study 44
species belonging to 42 genera and 27 families were found.
Similar work was done by Sheikh et al., (2017) where a total
of 12 species were recorded in Gwalior district of Madhya
Pradesh. They found the values 0.73 for Simpson index and
1.59 for Shannon Weiner index. Panging and Sharma, (2017)
reported 33 ethno medicinal plant species belonging to 26
families were found to use as traditional health care services
by the village Mising community of Desangmukh (Gaon
Panchayat), Sivasagar district of Assam. The indigenous plants
were species commonly used for traditional method of healing.
Also Khakhlary and Sharma, (2017) reported that species
diversity of NTFPs in Garampani wildlife Sanctuary have rich
in floral diversity. The Shannon-Wiener Index of Diversity
(H′) among the different species, were 1.9579 (Herbs/Shrubs),
2.2701 (Ferns/Epiphytes/Climber) and 1.4974 (wild edible
fruit), signifying that Ferns/Epiphytes/ Climber have high
diversity value in comparison to (Herbs/Shrubs) and (wild
edible fruit). Sukumaran et al., (2018) reported 102 species in
0.2 ha area of sacred forest of Kanyakumari district, Tamil
Nadu. Sharma et al., (2016a) in three different sites in Raid-
Marwet Region, Ri- Bhoi District, Meghalaya recorded 18
different NTFPs trees, 10 different herbs and 4 different shrubs
providing provisioning ecosystem services to the community
with species having both high diversity and high Importance
value index in all the different sites under study. The findings
of the present study on sacred grove DimaHasao is somehow
similar to the sacred groves in other places. There is high
diversity of herbs, climbers and ferns in Site 1 whereas shrub
diversity was highest in site 3. This may be due to the absence
of animal disturbances in Site 3, this findings is in close
agreement with Sharma et al., (2016b). The present study
reveals that due to loss of faith (Malhotra 2001) and increase
in anthropogenic factors (Sharma et al., 2016c) the species
diversity and species dominance may decrease, it was
observed that Site 3 has few species with greater individual
numbers in comparison to Site 1 and Site 2 these may be due
to the presence of less invasive species and less worshipping
practices.
CONCLUSION
The study reveals the strong management practices by local
communities. During this study and interaction with the priest
and the other aged person in the villages, their deep
understanding of the local forest resources as a life giving
support was clearly known. Sacred groves are protected and
conserved through the religious belief and traditional cultural
of the indigenous tribal communities all over the world
(Malhotra et.al, 1997). But unfortunately the religious beliefs
and taboos that were in the centre of sacred grove preservation
are now fast eroding due to increase in human needs, change in
social set up and change in belief system of the people due to
modern system of education ( Rao. 1996). It was observed that
people worship in the sacred groves for the religious beliefs
but ecological importance like ecosystem services, the
greenery, the medicinal plants or animals present are not
important. The study enlightens the urgent conservation of
sacred grove. In addition it also provides information
regarding the floral wealth of the sacred grove, facilitates the
knowledge about its culture, social and ecological role. The
Governmental or NGOs have to fund agencies to monitor the
adverse changes in the sacred groves and suggest sustainable
measures to conserve it. Sacred groves are declining in
diversity and the reason could be lack in education about the
importance of sacred groves. Thus, it should be highly
recommended and suggested that there should be there should
be conserving strategies for every sacred groves to protect our
biodiversity. A thorough floristic survey of every sacred grove
in DimaHasao should be done immediately for the further
decline of Rare, endemic and endangered species. The State
Government should promote sacred grove conservation area
management committee to protect forest patch from further
degradation. Survey of all the sacred groves in DimaHasao and
marking their boundaries to prevent any kind of intrusion
should be practiced as soon as possible.
Acknowledgements
At the very outset, we would like to express my gratitude and
sincere thanks to Lobam Kemprai, prist of Longma for his
invaluable guidance during the data collection, and villagers
Table 3 Shrubs
Plant species Family DamadiDaikho MisimDaikho Longma-I Daikho
R.F R.D R.A R.F R.D R.A R.F R.D R.A
30.
Alangium
plantifolium (Lam.) Cornaceae 1.65 0.75 0.75 1.98 1.59 1.33 - - -
31.
Capsicum annum
(L.) Solanaceae 0.66 1.87 0.47 - - - 0.99 0.37 0.62
32.
Chromolaena
odorata((L.) R.M.King&H.Rob.) Asteraceae 1.98 3.19 2.66 1.32 2.25 2.82 7.14 1.84 1.59
33.
Clerodendrum
canescens (Wall. Ex Walp.) Lamiaceae 2.31 1.5 1.07 1.98 1.31 1.09 - - -
34.
Clerodendrum
japonicum (Thunb.) Lamiaceae 0.99 0.84 1.41 1.32 1.12 1.41 - - -
35
Lantana camara
(L.) Verbinaceae 0.99 1.4 2.35 1.65 2.25 2.25 1.32 1.97 2.46
36
Lingustrum
sinense (Lour.) Oleaceae - - - - - - 4.28 1.84 1.92
37
Phyllanthus
glaucus (Wall. Ex Muell.Arg.) Phyllantheae 2.31 1.5 1.072 0.66 0.28 0.70 - - -
38
Solanum
torvum (Sw.) Solonaceae 0.99 0.37 0.62 0.99 0.84 1.41 7.14 3.92 2.46
39
Zanthoxylum
avicennae (Lam.)DC Ruteceae 1.65 1.03 1.034 1.65 0.75 0.75 - - -
R.F= Relative Frequency, R.D= Relative Dominance, R.A= Relative Abundance
Table 4 Climbers and Ferns
Plant species Family DamadiDaikho MisimDaikho Longma-I Daikho
R.F
R.D
R.A R.F
R.D
R.A
R.F R.D R.A
40
Dioscorea bulbifera(L) Dioscoreaceae
1.32
1.22
1.52
1.67
1.97
1.97
- - -
41
Polygonum chinense (L.) Polygonaceae
1.67
1.4 1.41
1.32
1.12
1.41
0.99 1.03 1.72
42
Pueraria montania (Lour.) Merr Fabaceae 1.67
2.53
2.53
1.67
2.06
2.06
1.32 1.5 1.88
43
Stemona tuberosa(Lour) Stemonaceae 0.66
0.93
2.35
0.66
0.65
1.64
- - -
44
Tetrastigma pubinerve (Merr. & Chun) Vitaceae 2.31
3.94
2.82
1.98
1.78
1.48
- - -
45
Woodwardia japonica(Sm) Blechnaceae 2.31
3 2.15
1.98
1.78
1.48
2.31 1.5 1.07
R.F= Relative Frequency, R.D= Relative Dominance, R.A= Relative Abundance
Floristic And Socio-Cultural Studies of the Sacred Groves of the Dimasa Tribes of Dima Hasao District, Haflong Circle of North
East India
14214
around the three secred goves are highly acknowledged for
their active participiation and corporation during the survey.
We are in debt to the taxonomist of various college of
Guwahati city for their unconditional help during species
identification. At last very much thankful to the Post Graduate
Department of Eco-Restoration, Dimoria College, Khetri for
providing platform for this research.
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