Dima Hasao District Research Articles

English

The present paper deals with the rediscovery of 12 sacred groves, known as Dikhos, preserved by the Dimasa community of North Cachar Hills district recently renamed as Dima Hasao district of Assam, India. Located strategically, these sacred groves provide several important ecological services to the people of the district. In addition to the sacred groves the plants considered to be sacred by them are also included. Out of the 34 plant species considered to be sacred by the Dimasas, 13 species are related to worshiping, 21 species involved in naming of areas/villages and eight species are associated with the naming of the Clans (Sengphong that is, male clans and Jaddi/Zaluk that is, female clans). However, some of the species/rice landraces have been associated with more than one ways. The Dimasas, also known as Dimasa Kacharies, constitute the largest ethnic group in North Cachar Hills and linguistically belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group.   Key words: Phytoresources, sacred groves, sacred plants, Dimasas, North Cachar Hills, India.

Domestication of some wild edible plants in Barail range of Assam: a case study

Aboriginal societies have their own approaches in managing their resources. Assam is one of the states of Northeast India with both biological and ethnic diversity. Generally aboriginal societies have been living in complete harmony with natural surroundings. They have their own notions, beliefs and way of sustainable utilization and conserving the plant resources. They are the custodians of much useful information regarding plant resources in the form of oral folklore. The present communication deals with 24 little known wild plant species, which have been conserving in the vicinity of the villages through domestication and/or restricted cultivation for their tubers, stems, leaves, inflorescences or fruits by the Dimasa. The Hmar, the Zeme Naga and the Kuki tribes of Barail Range in Dima Hasao (North Cachar Hills) district of Assam. The initiatives of the ethnic groups of the area are very significant from conservation point of view especially of wild plant genetic resources.