DIVERSITY AND UTILISATION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS OF TINSUKIA DISTRICT OF ASSAM, INDIA.

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ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 6(8), 370-382
370
Journal Homepage: -www.journalijar.com
Article DOI:10.21474/IJAR01/7530
DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/7530
RESEARCH ARTICLE
DIVERSITY AND UTILISATION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS OF TINSUKIA DISTRICT
OF ASSAM, INDIA.
*S. M. Das1, T. C. Dutta2, A. Roy1 and S. Borah3.
1. Department of Biology, G.T.B. Academy, Tinsukia, Assam, India.
2. Department of Botany, Digboi College, Digboi, Assam, India.
3. Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
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Manuscript Info Abstract
……………………. ………………………………………………………………
Manuscript History
Received: 10 June 2018
Final Accepted: 12 July 2018
Published: August 2018
Keywords:-
NTFPs, diversity, utilization, Trade,
Threat.
Tinsukia district of Assam (India) is rich in natural wealth. The district
has total forest area about 1,55,97,900 hector which includes one
Biosphere reserve, one National Park, two Wildlife Sanctuaries and
thirty five Reserve Forests. A good number of villages are situated in
and around these forests. Major part of the population of the district is
dependent directly or indirectly on the forest resources. Non-Timber
Forest Products (NTFPs) are remarkably contributing to livelihoods of
the people living near the forest areas. They are collecting wild edible
plants & plant’s parts, fire wood, medicine, condiments, house building
& thatching materials, broom, fiber, resin, fodder plants, etc. for their
domestic use as well as for trade. NTFPs, like wild edible plants are of
great demand, especially in the urban areas. This ever increasing
demand of NTFPs is creating a potential threat of over exploitation to
the forest resources. But, judicious use of NTFPs may provide a regular
source of income & employment to a large section of the society across
age group in the district.
Copy Right, IJAR, 2018,. All rights reserved.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………....
Introduction:-
Forests have been providing timber as well as non-timber products to the mankind since time immemorial. These
Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) include medicinal plants, wild edible plants & plant’s parts, fuel wood, fodder
& forage, house building & thatching materials, condiments, colouring materials, fibers, rubber, beverages &
narcotics, latex, tannin, resin, etc. In developing countries, like India, Non-timber Forest Products are valuable
resources for rural livelihood. According to FAO Report 1995, “Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are important
tools for addressing poverty issues for the marginalized, forest dependent communities, contributing to livelihoods,
including food security, income, health and sustainable human development”. Globally, an estimated 350million
people mostly in developing countries depend on NTFPs as their primary source of income, food, nutrition and
medicine (UNDP, 2004). Socio-economic importance and the value of NTFPs in the economics of tropical countries
are now well recognized. In almost all tropical countries, the collection of NTFPs is a major economic activity
(Ambrose, 2003) and about 500 million people living in or near forests being depended upon them for their
livelihood needs (Alexander, et al., 2002). A report from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in 2010- 2011,
estimated that about 100 million people in India depend on various forest products other than timber, which in turn
generates Rs 20 billion in government revenue (Dattagupta, et al., 2014). An estimated 50 million economically
marginalized forest dwellers in India harvest large quantities of NTFPs for their subsistence as well as for trade
Corresponding Author:-S. M. Das.
Address:-Department of Biology, G.T.B. Academy, Tinsukia, Assam, India.

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(Hegde, et al., 1996). In India, 90% of the plants supplied to the international market are from wild stock (Mishra, et
al., 2009).
Since the early 1990s the role of NTFPs for sustainable forest use and poverty alleviation has received increased
attention (Peters, et al., 1989). Until 1980s, no proper studies had done to understand the importance of NTFPs in
the sustainable development and livelihood needs of forest dependent communities. Last four decades, studies on
NTFPs have drawn attention of many workers in India (Gupta & Guleria, 1982; Mahapatra & Mitchell, 1997;
Nautiyal & Kaul, 2003; etc.). Although, few works are available on NTFPs in Assam (Nath, 2006; Dattagupta, 2010;
Sarmah & Saikia, 2014; Dutta, et al., 2016; Sarma, 2016, etc.), but till date no intensive study has been done on the
diversity and utilization of NTFPs and its impact on the livelihood of the people in Tinsukia district of Assam. The
present work involves in the documentation of diversity and uses pattern of NTFPs by the people of the district.
Tinsukia district is located between 95°22' to 95°38'E longitude and 27°23' to 27°48'N latitude; elevation ranges
from 143 to 124 meter. Total geographical area of the district is about 3790 sq.km. Total population is about 13,
16,948 (Census 2011). The district is bounded from north by Dhemaji District and Arunachal Pradesh, from south
and east by Arunachal Pradesh and west by Dibrugarh district. Tinsukia district has four revenue circles (i.e.,
Tinsukia circle, Doomdoma circle, Sadiya Circle & Margherita circle) which are divided into three subdivisions; viz,
Tinsukia, Sodiya and Margherita. The soil of the study area is mainly alluvial. The district is characterized by
humid subtropical climate with summer, winter and monsoon forming the seasonal cycle. The maximum average
temperature of about 350C and minimum of about 130C with average annual relative humidity of the district is about
75%. The vegetation of the district comprises grassland, swamp growth with an admixture of deciduous, semi
evergreen and evergreen forests. Tinsukia district has total forest area about 1,55,77,900 hector, which includes one
National Park and Biosphere Reserve (viz.Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Biosphere Reserve), two Wildlife
Sanctuaries (viz. Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni and Dihing-Patkai) and thirty five Reserve Forests. More than hundred
villages are situated in and around these forests.
Fig 1: Map of the study area
(Numbers 1-12 are the sampling sites)
Methodology:-
The study is based on field survey in different seasons from April, 2016 to May, 2018. Three forest fringe villages
from each revenue circle were randomly selected for the study. Information on NTFPs such as local name, purpose
of use, parts used, etc. from each selected village were collected with the help of semi structured questionnaires. The
respondents were the village headmen (Gaon Burha), other knowledgeable persons, NTFP collectors, traders,
traditional medicinal practitioners (Bez - Bezoni), and house wives (Martin, 1995; Huntington, 2000). All
information received was cross-checked with at least two additional interviewees. Market survey was also done in

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some selected areas to find out the commercial potentialities of NTFPs of the district. NTFP yielding plant species
was collected and processed to put up on the herbarium sheets by following standard method (Jain & Rao, 1976).
Photography was done in the field whenever possible. Specimens like mushroom, was preserved in 4%
formaldehyde solution. Plant specimens were identified using standard literatures (Kanjilal, et al., 1934-40; Hooker,
1872-97) and by consulting experts of Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, Itanagar.
Results and Discussion:-
Agriculture was the major source of livelihood economy in the study areas. Beside this, a section of the dwellers
also earn their livelihood as tea garden workers, NTFP collection and trade, traditional medicine, wage labour,
livestock rearing, etc. NTFPs play a significant role in their daily life. Altogether, 176 numbers of NTFPs (168
species of plants and 8 species of Fungi) were commonly used by the local people for domestic as well as
commercial purposes (Table: 3, 4, 5 & 6). Among the plants, Dicotyledons 99 species (58.93%), Monocotyledons
62 species (36.90%) and Pteridophytes 7 species (4.16%); while Fungi consist of 1 species of Ascomycetes and 7
species of Basidiomycetes. Diversity of NTFPs in the sampling sites is represented below (Table-1).
Table 1:- NTFPs diversity in the sampling sites.
Revenue Circle
Places
(Sl. no. depicting the sampling
sites in the map of study area.)
Geographical Locations
Recorded NTFPs
(In No.)
Latitude
Longitude
Dicot
Mono
-cot
Fern
Fungi
Tinsukia
1. BarbhetaBongaliGoan
27󰥐
95o36󰥐
51
35
3
2
2. Tingrai Forest Village
27󰥐
95o53󰥐
77
53
5
4
3. PadumoniGoan
27󰥐
95o31󰥐
52
29
4
2
Doomdoma
4. Namhollong Block Gaon
27󰥐
95o76󰥐
82
56
4
3
5. KachijanGaon
27󰥐
95o70󰥐
82
53
5
2
6. Hanhkhati
27󰥐
95o69󰥐
68
43
4
2
Sadiya
7. Doom Pathar
27󰥐
95o75󰥐
62
33
4
3
8. Dolapani
27󰥐
95o82󰥐
65
34
4
3
9. Chapakhowa
27󰥐
95o76󰥐
42
31
3
2
Margherita
10. CharaiPung Forest Village
27󰥐
95o44󰥐
91
62
6
6
11. Namphoi Forest village
27󰥐
95o97󰥐
90
59
5
7
12. BhimPather
27󰥐
95o65󰥐
87
56
5
5
During the study, it was found that eight different parts of plants were using by the people as NTFPs of the study
areas for various purposes (Fig 2). It was also observed that the maximum number of NTFPs (i.e. 62.34%) was
harvested only for domestic consumption, where medicinal plants comprised the highest number of 91 species
(51.70%). About 37.66% of NTFPs including plants and fungi were collected for trade in local and regional markets.
Utilization pattern of NTFPs of Tinsukia district was found to have 22 different types (Table 2).
Fig 2:- Plant’s parts used as NTFPs in Tinsukia District
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Stem Root Leaf Young
Shoot
Flower Fruit Seed Bark
Percentage→
Different plant parts used→

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373
Table 2:- Types of utilization of NTFPs in Tinsukia district
Sl. No.
Purposes
Number of Species
% of total
1
Medicine
91
51.70
2
Edible
76
43.18
3
Cultural & religion
21
11.93
4
Ornamental
16
9.09
5
Fodder
11
6.25
6
Condiment
8
4.55
7
Rope
7
3.98
8
Fencing
6
3.40
9
House construction
6
3.40
10
Fiber
5
2.84
11
Fish poisoning
5
2.84
12
Furniture making
5
2.84
13
Agricultural tools
4
2.27
14
Broom
4
2.27
15
Fire wood
4
2.27
16
Handle
4
2.27
17
Thatching
4
2.27
18
Tooth Brush
4
2.27
19
Dye
3
1.70
20
Packing material
2
1.13
21
Natural shampoo
1
0.57
22
Resin
1
0.57
Fig. 3:-Photographs of NTFPs of Tinsukia district of Assam (India) and their utilization.
Conclusion:-
With the increasing health consciousness among the people, they become creasy to have the food from natural
origin. This is encouraging large scale collection and commercialization of edible NTFPs. Since most of the edible
NTFPs consist of reproductive parts like flowers, fruits, seeds, underground stem, culm, etc., it is harmfully
affecting the regeneration process of NTFP sources. Over exploitation of NTFPs is creating a major threat of their
existence and hampering the conservation process. But, judicious use of NTFPs may provide a regular source of

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374
income and employment to a large section of the society across age group in the district. Hence, awareness among
the all concern stakeholders for sustainable utilization of these NTFPs is the need of hour.
Table 3:- Diversity and Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products (Dicotyledons) of Tinsukia district of Assam
Family
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Habit
Part(s) Used
Ranunculaceae
1. Naravelia zeylanica (L.)DC.
Gorapasoi
Climber
Young shoot - tooth
brush; Leaf & root –
as medicinal
Dilleniaceae
2. Dillenia indica L.
Owtenga
Tree
Fruit’s fleshy calyx-
as vegetable,
Mucilaginous seed -
as natural shampoo.
Magnoliaceae
3. Magnolia hodgsonii (Hook.f. &
Thomson) H. Keng
Barhamthury
Tree
Wood- as handle of
instruments and fire
wood,
Tender bud - dye
preparation
Menispermaceae
4. Cissampelos pareira L.
Tubukilata
Climber
Young shoot tip –
as medicine
5. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f.
& Th
Shagunilata
Climber
Stem – as medicine
Nymphaeaceae
6. Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f.
BagaVetphul
Aquatic
Herb
Flower bud- as
vegetable
Nelumbonaceae
7. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
Padumphul
Aquatic
Herb
Flower petals &
seeds are edible ;
Leaves – as wrapper
& religious
Capparaceae
8. Crataeva religiosa G. Forst.
Barun
Tree
Leaves & fruits – as
medicine
Flacourtiaceae
9. Flacortia cataphracta Roxb. ex
Willd
Ponial
Tree
Fruit - Edible
10. Gynocardia odorata R.Br.
Lemtem
Tree
Seed oil – as
medicine
11. Hydnocarpus kurzii (King) Warb
Salmugura
Tree
Seed oil – as
medicine
Carryophyllaceae
12. Drymaria cordata (L.)Willd. ex
Schult
Laizabori
Herb
Young shoot – as
vegetables,
medicine
Clusiaceae
13. Garcinia cowa Roxb. ex Choisy
KawriThekera
Small
Tree
Fruit– as medicine
14. Garcinia lanceaefolia Roxb.
RupahiThekera
Small
Tree
Fruit– edible &
medicine
15. Garcinia morella (Gaertn.) Desr.
KujiThekera
Small
Tree
Fruit– edible &
medicine,
16. Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex
Buch.- Ham.
Bar Thekera
Tree
Fruit–edible ,
cultural & medicine
17. Garcinia xanthochymusHook. f. ex T.
Anderson
TeporTenga
Tree
Fruit– edible &
medicine
18. Mesua ferrea L.
Nahar
Tree
Leaf – as cultural
use; Stem – as fire
wood; Flower-
Ornamental
Malvaceae
19. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet
Japapatori
Herb
Root – as medicine
20. Sida cordifolia L.
Sunborial
Shrub
Bark – as fiber;

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Root – as medicine
21. Urena lobata L.
Sunborolowa
Shrub
Root – as medicine
Bombacaceae
22. Bombax ceiba L.
Simalo
Tree
Bark – as medicine;
Fruit – as fiber
Sterculiaceae
23. Abroma augusta (L.)L.f.
Gorokhia
Koroi
Small
Tree
Root – as medicine
24. Sterculia villosa Roxb.
Udal
Tree
Bark – as rope;
Fruit – as medicine
25. Byttneria aspera Collebr. ex Wall
TikoniBaruah
Climber
Young Shoot - as
vegetable &
medicine
Tiliaceae
26. Grewia asiatica L.
Sowra
Small
Tree
Leaves & fruits –
medicine; Young
branch – tooth brush
27. Grewia hirsute Vahl.
Kukurhuta
Tree
Bark – as fiber;
Leaves & Seeds –
as medicine
Elaeocapaceae
28. Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume
Jalfai
Tree
Fruit – edible
29. Elaeocarpus serratus L.
Rudrakhya
Tree
Fruit –as medicine
& religious use
Rutaceae
30. Citrus medica L.
JaraTenga
Shrub
Fruit - edible
31. Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.)DC.
Senglodi
Shrub
Young branch- as
tooth brush; Fruit –
edible
32. Zanthozylum nitidum (Roxb.)DC.
Tezmuee
Shrub
Fruit & bark – as
fish poisoning; Root
– as medicine
Young branches –
tooth brush; Young
shoot- condiment
Burseraceae
33. Canarium bengalense Roxb.
Dhuna
Tree
Latex - as resin
34. Garuga pinnata Roxb.
Rahimola
Tree
Leaves – as fodder
Meliaceae
35. Walsura robusta Roxb.
Lali
Tree
Fruit & bark- as fish
poisoning
Rhamnaceae
36. Rhamnus nepalensis (Wall.) M. A.
Lowson
Biringuti
Shrub
Fruit – edible; Bark
– as medicine
37. Zizyphus jujube Mill.
Bagari
Small
Tree
Fruit – edible;
Young shoot-
cultural
Vitaceae
38. Vitis quadrangularis (L.)Wall. ex
Wight
Harjura Lata
Climber
Young Shoot –as
vegetable; Leaf &
Stem - as Medicine
Leeaceae
39. Leea guineensis G. Don
Owlata
Climber
Stem- as rope in
house building
Hippocastanacea
40. Aesculus assamica Griff
Ramanbih
Small
Tree
Seed – as medicine;
Leaf & bark - as
fish poisoning
Anacardiaceae
41. Mangifera sylvatica Roxb.
Ban Aam
Tree
Fruit – edible; Bark-
as Medicine; Leaf-
Cultural use
42. Rhus chinensis Mill.
Naga Tenga
Small
Tree
Fruit – edible &
medicinal
43. Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz.
Amara
Tree
Fruit & young leaf-
edible & medicine;
Bark – as medicine

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Caesalpiniaceae
44. Caesalpinia bonduc (L.)Roxb.
Letaguti
Straggling
shrub
Young leaf &Fruit –
as medicine
45. Cassia alata L.
Kharpat
Shrub
Young leaves- as
medicine
Papilionaceae
46. Abrus precatorius L.
Latumoni
Climber
Fruit & root – as
medicine
47. Butea monosperma (Lam.)Taub
Palakh
Tree
Bark – as medicine;
Flower –
Ornamental
48. Dalbergia pinnata (Lour.) Prain
Lalengchali
Liana
Bark – as condiment
49. Pongamia pinnata (L.)Pierre.
Karash
Tree
Leaves- as fodder;
Seed – as medicine
50. Erythrina variegata L.
Madar
Tree
Root, Bark &
leaves- medicine;
Flower –
Ornamental
51. Flemingia strobilifera (L.)W.T.Aiton
Makhioty
Small
Tree
Root & Bark – as
medicine; Young
shoot – cultural use
52. Mellettia pachycarpa Benth.
Bakal Bih
Climber
Root – as poison for
fishing
Rosaceae
53. Prunus jenkinsii Hook. f. & Thomson
TherejuTenga
Tree
Fruit – edible; Shoot
– as firewood
54. Rubus ellipticus Sm.
Jutulipaka
Straggling
shrub
Fruit – edible;
Young Shoot – as
medicine
55. Rubus lucens Focke
Jezeru Paka
Liana
Fruit – edible
Combretaceae
56. Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.)Roxb.
Bhumura
Tree
Fruit – as medicine
57. Terminalia chebula Ritz.
Hilikha
Tree
Fruit – as medicine;
Bark– source of dye
Myrtaceae
58. Syzygium balsameum (Wight) Wall.
ex Walp.
Jaldubuli
Tree
Young shoot – as
medicine; Mature
Shoot – as firewood
& handle
59. Syzygium cumini (L.)Skeels
Kala Jamu
Tree
Fruit – edible; Bark
– source of dye;
Seed- as medicine
60. Syzygium fruticosum DC.
Kuthi Jamu
Tree
Fruit - edible
61. Syzygium kurzii (Duthie) N.P.Balakr
Boga Jamu
Tree
Fruit - edible
Melastomaceae
62. Melastoma malabathricum L.
Fuhtukola
Shrub
Fruit – edible;
Shoot- as broom
Lythraceae
63. Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.)Pers
Ajar
Tree
Flower &Dry fruit –
Ornamental
Cucurbitaceae
64. Citrullus colocynthis (L.)Schrad.
Kuabhaturi
Climber
Fruit- as medicine
Apiaceae
65. Centella asiatica (L.)Urb.
Barmanimuni
Herb
Shoot – as vegetable
& medicine
66. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.
Harumanimuni
Herb
Shoot – as vegetable
& medicine
Rubiaceae
67. Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.)
Tirveng.
Bihmana
Small
Tree
Fruit – as fish
poison & medicine
68. Meyna spinosa Roxb. ex Link
Kutkura
Small
Tree
Fruit- edible; Young
Shoot – as medicine
69. Paederia foetida L.
Vedailota
Climber
Young Shoot – as
vegetable &
medicine

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377
Asteraceae
70. Enydra fluctuans Lour.
Helonchi
Herb
Young Shoot – as
vegetable &
medicine
71. Wedelia calendulacea (L.)Less.
Bhimraj
Herb
Young leaf – as
medicine
Plumbaginaceae
72. Plumbago zeylanica L.
Agyashit
Herb
Young Shoot – as
medicine
Ebenaceae
73. Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.
Kendu
Tree
Fruit – edible; Seed
– as medicine
Apocynaceae
74. Alostonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.
Sotiana
Tree
Bark – as medicine
75. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) W.T.Aiton
Gakhirlata
Climber
Young leaves – as
medicine
Convolvulaceae
76. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) W.T.Aiton
Lakhmanlata
Climber
Young shoot – as
medicine
Solanaceae
77.Solanum indicum L.
Titavekuri
Herb
Fruit – as vegetable
& medicine
78. Solanum trilobatum L.
Lata Tita
Shrub
Fruit- as medicine
Bignoniaceae
79. Oroxylum indicum (L.)Kurz
Bhat Ghila
Tree
Young fruit, Bark &
Root – as medicine
Acanthaceae
80. Justicia adhatoda L.
BagaBahak
Shrub
Young leaves – as
medicine
81. Phlogocanthus thrysiflorus Nees.
RangaBahak
Shrub
Flower – as
vegetable &
medicine
Verbenaceae
82. Callicarpa macrophyllaVahl.
Tangloti
Shrub
Bark – as medicine
83. Clerodendrum glandulosum Lindl.
Nephafu
Shrub
Young leaf – as
medicine
84. Vitex negundo L.
Pasatia
Shrub
Young leaf – as
medicine
Lemiaceae
85. Pogostemon benghalensis (Burm.f.)
Kuntze
Hukloti
Herb
Young leaf – as
vegetable &
medicine
Piperaceae
86. Piper longum L.
Pipoli
Climber
Inflorescence – as
medicine
87. Piper thomsonii(C.DC)Hook.f.
Aunipan
Climber
Leaf - edible
Lauraceae
88. Cinamomum bejolghota (Buch.-Ham.)
Sweet
Naga Dalcini
Tree
Bark – as condiment
89. Cinamomum verum J. Presl
Dalcini
Tree
Bark – as condiment
90. Cinamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham)
T.Nees. & Eberm
Tezpat
Tree
Leaf – as condiment
91. Litsea salicifolia (J. Roxb. ex Nees)
Hook. f.
Dighloti
Shrub
Young branch –
cultural use
Euphorbiaceae
92. Baccaurea remiflora Lour.
Leteku
Tree
Fruit - edible
93. Croton joufera Roxb.
Mahudi
Shrub
Fruit & leaf – as
medicine
Urticaceae
94. Boehmeria macrophylla Hornem.
Ban Riha
Shrub
Bark – as source of
fiber
95. Sarcochlamys pulcherrima Gaudich
Mesaki
Small
Tree
Leaf – as vegetable
& condiment
Moraceae
96. Artocarpous chama Buch.-Ham.
Cham Kathal
Tree
Fruit – edible
97. Ficus benghalensis L.
Bargas
Tree
Young branch tip –
cultural use
98. Ficus racemosa L.
Jagya Dimoru
Tree
Young branch –
cultural use
Cannabaceae
99. Cannabis sativa L.
Bhang
Herb
Leaf – as medicinal

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& cultural use
Table 4:- Diversity and Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products (Monocotyledons) of Tinsukia district of Assam.
Family
Scientific Name
Common Name
Habit
Part(s) Used
Orchidaceae
1. Cymbidium aloefolium Blume
Mata
Kapowphul
Epiphytic
Flower - as Ornamental
& Cultural
2. Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.)
C. E. C. Fisch.
Bhatowphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
3. Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook.
Hokhiyotiphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
4. Dendrobium lituiflorum Lindl.
Bhatowphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
5. Dendrobium moschatum
(Buch.-Ham.) Sw.
Bhatowphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
6. Dendrobium transparens
Wall. Ex Lindl.
Bhatowphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
7. Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.)
Schltr.
Bhatowphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
& Cultural
8. Phaius tankervilleae (Banks)
Blume.
Mati
kapowphul
Terrestrial
Flower- as Ornamental
9. Rhyncostylis retusa (L.)
Blume
Kapowphul
Epiphytic
Flower- as Ornamental
& Cultural; Leaf- as
medicine
Zingiberaceae
10. Alpinia nigra (Gaertn.)Burtt
Tora
Herb
Leaf sheath – as rope
Young Shoot &
rhizome – as medicine
11. Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd.
ToraBaghini
Herb
Young Shoot &
rhizome – as vegetable
& medicine
12. Curcuma aromatica Salisb.
Keturi
Herb
Rhizome – as medicine
13. Curcuma caesia Roxb.
Kala Halodhi
Herb
Rhizome – as medicine
14. Curcuma amada Roxb.
Amada
Herb
Rhizome – as medicine
& condiment
15. Etlingera loroglossa
(Gagnep.) R.M.Sm.
Karphul
Herb
Rhizome– as condiment
& medicinal
16. Kaempferia galanga L.
Gathiyon
Herb
Rhizome – medicine;
YoungShoot– vegetables;
Flower- ornamental
17. Kaempferia rotunda L.
Bhumi Champa
Herb
Rhizome – as medicinal
18. Zingiber officinale Roscoe.
Moran Ada
Herb
Rhizome – as
condiment & medicinal
Musacese
19. Musa aurantiaca G.Mann
ex Baker
Banaria Kal
Herb
Inflorescence - edible
20. Musa itinerans Cheesman
Banaria Kal
Herb
Inflorescence - edible
21. Musa nagensium Prain
Banaria Kal
Herb
Inflorescence – edible
Marantaceae
22. Maranta arundinacea L.
Toraalu
Herb
Rhizome - edible
23. Phrynium pubinerve Blume
Kawpat
Herb
Leaf - wrapper & plate
24. Schumannianthus
dichotomous (Roxb.)Gagnep
Patidoi
Herb
Stem- as rope
Amaryllidaceae
25. Crinum asiaticum L.
Ban Naharu
Herb
Leaf & bulb - medicine
Dioscoreaceae
26. Dioscorea alata var.
globosa (Roxb.)Prain
Sapara Alo
Climber
Underground Stem -
edible
27. Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.)
Burkill
Gos Alu
Climber
Underground Stem -
edible
28. Dioscorea pentaphylla L.
Paspotia Alu
Climber
Underground Stem -
edible

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29. Dioscorea villosa L.
Kath Alu
Climber
Underground Stem –
edible & medicine
Liliaceae
30. Asparagus recemosusWilld.
Shatamul
Climber
Fasciculated root -
medicine
Smilacaceae
31. Smilax ovalifolia Roxb.ex
D. Don
BaghansuraLata
Climber
Root - medicine
Pontederiaceae
32. Monochoria hastate (L.)
Solms
PaniMateka
Herb
Young shoot -
vegetable
Commelinaceae
33. Commelina benghalensis L.
Kanahimalu
Herb
Young shoot - medicine
Arecaceae
34. Arenga pinnata (Wurmb)
Merr.
MamoiTamul
Palm
Stem & leaves sheath –
as cultural
35. Calamus flagellum Griff.ex
Mart.
Raiding Bet
Rattan
Cane – manufacture
furniture, stick;Young
stem tip – as vegetable
36. Calamus gracilies Roxb.
Suli Bet
Rattan
Cane –as rope
37. Calamus tenuis Roxb.
Jati Bet
Rattan
Cane –furniture &
house construction
Young stem tip – as
vegetable
38. Caryota urens L.
SewaTamul
Palm
Stem – House
construction, fencing,
handle, agricultural
tools; Fruit – edible &
medicine
39. Licuala peltata Roxb.ex
Buch.- Ham.
Jengu Pat
Palm
Leaf – as thatching
material; Fruit – edible
40. Livistona jenkinsiana Griff.
TakowTamul
Palm
Leaf – as thatching
material; Fruit – edible
Araceae
41. Acorus calamus L.
Bos
Herb
Corm - medicine
42. Alocasia fornicata (Roxb.)
Schott
BejKasu
Herb
Corm – as vegetable
43. Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.
Don
Man Kasu
Herb
Corm – as vegetable,
Petiole – as vegetable
& Medicine
44. Alocasia odora (Lind.)K.
Koch
Dahi Kasu
Herb
Petiole - as vegetable
45. Amorphophallus bulbifer
(Roxb.) Blume
Ul Kasu
Herb
Corm – as vegetable
46. Colocasia esculenta (L)
Schott.
Kola Kasu
Herb
Petiole & Sub-aerial
Stem – as vegetable
47. Homalomena aromatic
(Spreng.) Schott
Gandha Kasu
Herb
Leaf & petiole – as
medicine
48. Laisia spinosa (L.)Thwaites.
Shengmara
Herb
Youngshoot – as
vegetable & medicine
Cyperaceae
49. Schoenoplectiella articulata
(L.) Lye
Sesu Ban
Grass
Underground Stem –
edible
Poaceae
50. Arundo donax L.
Nal
Grass
Young Shoot - as
fodder
51. Bambusa nutans Wall. Ex
Munro
MakalBanh
Bamboo
Young Shoot - as
vegetables;Mature stem
– house construction,
fencing, agricultural
tools, furniture
52. Saccharum ravennae (L.) L.
Ekara
Grass
Young shoot – as
fodder

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380
53. Hygroryza aristata
(Retz.) Nees ex Weight &Arn.
Dalghanh
Grass
Young shoot – as
fodder
54. Imperata cylindrica (L.)
Raeusch
Ulu Kher
Grass
Young shoot –fodder;
Young root –medicine
Mature shoot – as
thatching material
55. Leersia hexandra Sw.
Erali
Grass
Young shoot -fodder
56. Ophiuros megaphyllus Stapf
ex Hains
Banhpatia Ban
Grass
Young shoot - fodder
57. Phragmites karka
(Retz.) Trin. ex Steud.
Khagori
Grass
Young shoot – fodder;
Mature stem - house
construction & fencing
58. Saccharum spontaneum L.
Kanhua
Grass
Young shoot – fodder;
Mature shoot – as
thatching material;
Flower - ornamental
59. Schizostachyum dullooa
(Gamble) R.B.Majumdar
DolooBanh
Bamboo
Young Shoot -
vegetables; Young stem
– cultural & making
rope; Mature stem -
house construction,
fencing, broom, tools,
furniture
60. Pseudostachyum
polymorphum Munro
Nal Banh
Bamboo
Young Shoot - edible;
Mature stem - house
construction, fencing,
tools, furniture
61. Thysanolaena latifolia
(Rox.ex Hornem.) Honda
Jaru Ban
Grass
Young Shoot - as
fodder; Mature stem -
as fencing; Mature
flower – as broom
62. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.)
Roberty
Birina
Grass
Leaf – as fodder; Root
– as medicine
Table 5:- Diversity and Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products (Pteridophytes) of Tinsukia district of Assam.
Family
Scientific Name
Common Name
Habit
Part(s) Used
Athyriaceae
1. Diplazium esculantum
(Retz.)Sw.
Dhekia Shak
Herb
Young leaf – as
vegetable
Blechnaceae
2. Stenochlaena palustris
(Burn.f.) Bedd
Dhekia Lata
Climber
Young leaf – edible;
Mature stem – as rope
Drynariaceae
3. Drynaria quercifolia (L.)
J. Sm.
Hukan Dhekia
Epiphytic
Mature leaf – as
ornamental
Gleicheniaceae
4. Dicranopteris linearis
(Burm. f.) Underw.
KalamDhekia
Terrestrial
Herb
Leaf petiole – as cultural
Lygodiaceae
5. Lygodium flexuosum (L.)
Sw.
KapowDhekia
Climber
Young Leaf – as cultural
Dennstaedtiaceae
6. Pteridium aquilinum (L.)
Kuhn.
DhekiaShak
Herb
Young leaf – as
vegetable
Thelypteridaceae
7. Christella parasitica H.
Lev.
Bihlongoni
Herb
Leaf – as medicine and
cultural use
Table 6:- Diversity and Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products (Fungi) of Tinsukia district of Assam.
Class
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Habitat
Part(s) Used
Ascomycetes
1. Morchella esculanta
Kathphula
Rotten wood
Fruiting body – as

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vegetable
Basidiomycetes
2. Agaricus bisporus
Beng-Sata
Grassland
Fruiting body – as
vegetable
3. Auricularia auricul
Kathphula
Moist wood
Fruiting body – as
vegetable
4. Ganoderma sp.
Kathphula
Rotten wood
Fruiting body – as
vegetable
5. Lycoperdon sp.
Kathphula
Grassland
Fruiting body – as
vegetable & medicine
6. Pluteus cervinus
Kathphula
Rotten wood
Fruiting body – as
vegetable
7. Schizophyllum commune
Kathphula
Rotten wood
Fruiting body – as
vegetable
8. Termitomyces sp.
Kathphula
Rotten wood
Fruiting body – as
vegetable
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