Biodiversity and Wild Fodder of Gorumara National Park in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Gorumara National Park (GNP) in Duars, West Bengal, India, has an amazing biodiversity. Understanding of interactive factors was felt necessary. The undertaken programme included flowering plant identification, diversity indices calculation, faecal excreta examination, estimation of salinity of water courses and measurement of pH of soil and water. The floral Shannon’s H at 6.38644 and Shannon’s EH at 0.9996, fodder species’ H and EH respectively at 2.6 - 4.06 and at 0.92 - 0.96, and mammalian species H and EH in the ranges of 2.7-3.02 and 0.79-0.86, presented a sustainable ratio of flora and fauna. During winter, with low salt concentration of the flowing water courses (TDS 100 ppm / L; EC 167 µS / cm2), the pachyderms tended to consume whole plant of grasses and herbs. During rains, with higher salt content of the same (450 TDS/750 EC), they were found to consume tender foliage. Seeds retrieved from faecal matters demonstrated higher rate (70 - 90%) of germination. Eastern Himalayan Submontane Terai in Indo - Malaya Ecozone, with coordinates at 26o 40′ N and 88o 08′ E, temperature ambience around 9o C - 30o C, average RH at about 80 - 90%, average monthly rainfall of 1985 mm, ever flowing rivers and fascinating post-monsoon ecesis had been found to be the architect of this biosphere. Presence of salt – licks and water holes, herbivore – carnivore ratio, sapling production with seeds from faecal matters, economic stability and education of forest bound populace should be the key to tropical forest management.