Kokrajhar District Research Articles

A Study on the Diversity of Planktons of Urban and Rural Ponds of Kokrajhar District, Assam, India

Due to rapid urbanization, many aquatic habitats are now under severe eutrophication because of waste contaminated soil. Therefore, it is essential to assess the status of aquatic ecosystem surrounding us. The present study was conducted for the study of diversity of planktons which are indicator of aquatic ecosystem of two urban and two rural ponds of Kokrajhar district, Assam. The present study reveals a total of 37 species of planktons of which 23 species represents phytoplankton and 14 species represent zooplankton. The most pollution-tolerant species of Euglena, Navicula, Nitzschia, Ankistrodesmus, Phacus,Pinnularia and Scenedesmus were recorded indicating the highest degree of organic pollution. This plankton study explore that water quality has reached its threshold level and therefore, it needs some corrective measures to maintain the water quality from further deterioration in the study area.

Morphological Evaluation of Locally Available Cultivated Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Cultivars for Growth and Yield Attributes in Kokrajhar, Assam, India

Taro probably is one of the world’s oldest crop and important crop species in the district but its cultivation and consumption still lie within the less privileged farmers in Kokrajhar district of Assam, India. It is cultivated for its tubers, tender leaves and inflorescence. It is also observed that several morphological types are found in upland and hilly slopes of the district, but their identification and morphological studies are not very clear, and their agronomic potentiality further needs to be analysed. Under such situations, a study has been taken to evaluate all the local varieties namely Pehle, Abor, Daomasar, Deraduma and Tharun gubwi in terms of yield and other agronomic parameters for proper documentation of genetic diversity and differentiation in the district. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study was conducted in Debitola and Kachugaon blocks of Kokrajhar district. The results indicated significant differences for all the characteristics studied. ‘Tharun gubwi’ recorded highest value for plant height (134.4cm), leaf size (2244.0 cm2), corm breadth (8.10cm), average corm weight (2036.00g) and average yield (2248.33g/plant). Petiole length was recorded highest in Cv. Deraduma (95.23 cm). Cv. Daomasar was recorded with maximum plant spread of 144.5 cm and numbers of side shoots (5.67 nos.). Highest corm length (20.23cm), cormel length (13.24cm) and cormel weight (98.25g) was recorded maximum in Cv. Abor. Results revealed that all these local cultivars have good agronomic importance therefore, various developmental programmes are need to be undertaken for popularizing it to every corner of the state and country

Spatio-Temporal Detection of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in Kokrajhar District of Assam

The use of multi-temporal satellite images in digital change detection algorithms aids in the comprehension of landscape dynamics. The present study illustrates the spatio temporal dynamics of land use/land cover of Kokrajhar district of Assam, India. Landsat Satellite imageries of four different time periods. i.e., Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) of 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 were acquired from Google Earth Explorer site and quantify the changes of Kokrajhar district from 1991 to 2021 over a period of 30 years. Supervised classification methodology has been employed using maximum likelihood technique in ArcMap 10.8 Software. The images of the study area were categorised into four different classes namely vegetation, agriculture, built up and water body. The results indicate that during the last three decades, built up have been increased by 3.8% (658.75 km2) while agriculture, vegetation and water body have been decreased by 0.74 (708.9 km2) %, 0.56(1494.46 km2) % and 2.46 (273.5 km2) % respectively.

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of fruit extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita (Roxb.) Hook. f. & Thomson in diabetic mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHodgsonia heteroclita has been known as an important traditionally consumed medicinal plant of North-East India known to have antidiabetic properties. This study aims to investigate the effects of the ethanolic fruit extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by using streptozotocin (STZ) treated diabetic mice. Materials and methodsThe fruits of H. heteroclita were collected from the various parts of Kokrajhar district, Assam India (Geographic coordinates: 26°24′3.85″ N 90°16′22.30″ E). Basic morphological evaluations were carried out by the Botanical Survey of India, Eastern circle, Shillong, who also certified and identified the plant. Hexane, chloroform, and ethanolic extracts of the fruit of H. heteroclita were investigated for α-amylase inhibition assay as a rapid screening tool for examining anti-diabetic activity. The efficacy of ethanolic extract at a dose of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight was tested for 21 days in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The body weight, fasting plasma glucose and serum lipids, and hepatic glycogen levels were measured in experimental animals to examine the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic efficacy of the extract. Both HPTLC and LC-MS analysis was performed to examine the phyotochemicals present in the ethanolic extract of H. heteroclita. ResultsIt has been observed that treatment with the ethanolic extract dose-dependently reduced the plasma glucose levels, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, and increased the body weight, liver glycogens and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in STZ treated diabetic mice. HPTLC demonstrated the presence of triterpene compounds and LC-MS analysis revealed the presence Cucurbitacin I, Cucurbitacin E, and Kuguacin G as the triterpene phytoconstituents. ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that ethanolic fruit extract of H. heteroclita improved both glycemic and lipid parameters in mice model of diabetes.

Clean Cooking Fuels Use and Its Determinants in Assam

The research highlighted the access to clean fuels in the Kokrajhar district of Assam. The expenditures and factors determining the use of clean cooking fuels were analysed. The sample consisted of 100 households selected randomly, considering both rural and urban. It was found that 45 and 55 per cent of households used clean cooking and clean and dirty fuels. The determinants of clean cooking fuels were families' monthly income, fuel expenditure, LPG connection, and kitchen, which were statistically significant. It was the same for urban areas, but only monthly expenditure on cooking fuels was highly significant in rural areas. Thus, the stakeholders should focus more on subsidies and frequently organize awareness programs, especially in rural areas, to encourage the practice of clean fuels.

Importance of sericulture from economic perspective: A case study of Kokrajhar district, Assam

Importance of sericulture from economic perspective: A case study of Kokrajhar district, Assam

A study on the prevalence of ethno medicinal practices of some insects and arachnids by the Bodo Tribe of Kokrajhar District, Assam, India

A study on the prevalence of ethno medicinal practices of some insects and arachnids by the Bodo Tribe of Kokrajhar District, Assam, India

Diversity and traditional ethnozoological uses of ichthyofauna by the Bodo Tribes of Kokrajhar, Assam, Northeast India

Abstract. Basumatary G, Narzary B, Khangembam BK. 2023. Diversity and traditional ethnozoological uses of ichthyofauna by the Bodo Tribes of Kokrajhar, Assam, Northeast India. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 49-57. Fish is an important component of ethnomedicine for treating many diseases in many tribal cultures worldwide. Traditional medicine remains the primary healthcare system in most rural populations worldwide, and ethnomedicine is the foundation of many modern-day disease management. The use of fish in traditional healthcare could be a potent source for finding new compounds with therapeutic prospects. Studies on ethnoichthyology have indicated fish as an important component for treating many diseases. However, such studies are yet to be fully documented in the northeastern states of India, especially in Kokrajhar, Assam. The Bodos are one of the largest tribal groups of Assam in Northeast India, with a rich traditional knowledge system. The study explores the traditional uses of fish for various ethnomedicinal properties and health benefits by the Bodos of Kokrajhar, Assam. The study was conducted in eight villages of Kokrajhar District from March 2019 to February 2020 through personal interviews and semi-structured questionnaires with 150 informants. Thirty-four different fish species from 20 different families were identified to be used for their health benefits and therapeutic properties. The highest number of fish species belonged to the family Cyprinidae (20.59%), followed by Channidae (11.76%) and Ambassidae (8.82%). The highest use value (0.58) and relative frequency of citation (0.37) was recorded for Heteropneustes fossilis. Anaemia, gastrointestinal and integumentary disorders, and body weakness were the most commonly mentioned ailments treated. The present study also reported some small indigenous fish species for their health benefits. The study also found some unique traditional methods for preparing and applying fish species (Xenentodon cancila, Chitala chitala, Glossogobius giuris, Leiodon cutcutia, etc.) not reported earlier. Identification and detailed study of the biochemical profile of these different species may be recommended to develop suitable alternatives to synthetic medicines. This study may be a valuable addition to the rich traditional knowledge of Northeast India.

Malaria outbreak along the India-Bhutan border town of Saralpara, Assam, India.

A remarkable progress is being made in the South-East Asia region in reducing the burden of malaria. While all countries are committed to malaria elimination, continued transmission at and across international borders poses a threat to achieving this goal. We investigated an outbreak of malaria in the India-Bhutan border area in a district of Assam state, India. A line listing of cases occurring during the outbreak period was made and a house-to-house survey was carried out to identify additional cases in the community. Entomological investigation consisted of light trap collection of vectors. Patients and health workers were interviewed to obtain information on the possible mode of transmission and ongoing inter-country collaboration across the border. Between October 21 to November 18 2022, 37 cases of malaria (all Plasmodium vivax), were diagnosed in Saralpara area of Kokrajhar district of Assam, bordering Bhutan. Of these four were diagnosed in Sarpang hospital, Bhutan. Median age was 20 years (range 3 to 70 years). Male to female ratio was 1:1.2. In addition, 6 individuals with asymptomatic malaria were detected in the community through an active case finding campaign. No cases were however reported on Bhutan side of the border. Anopheles culicifacies and An. annularis were identified from light trap collection. Saralpara is a remote and forested area where most of the residents are poor and engaged predominantly in farming activities. Being a harvesting season, they tend to stay overnight to protect their harvest from elephants. The health authorities in India and Bhutan exchanged information regularly at district-to-district level on the outbreak including through available and easy modes such as WhatsApp, telephone as well as electronic mail and collaborated in coherently implementing preventive measures on both sides and in managing the cases. The outbreak of malaria in Saralpara demonstrates the risk of malaria outbreak in remote and forested areas, with possibility of spill over to the other side of the border. The fact that two countries had excellent inter-country cross-border collaboration and prior commitment thereby preventing further transmission of malaria to Bhutan can serve as a best practice for cross-border control of malaria and other communicable diseases.

A STUDY ON THE PROBLEMS OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KOKRAJHAR DISTRICT

This present paper highlights the problems of Government Primary Schools in Kokrajhar District of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam. Its main objective is to find out the various problems faced by the primary schools in the district. Descriptive survey method had been used in the present study. The sample of the study consists of 20 Government Primary Schools and 20 Head teachers at the Government school. Simple random sampling technique had been used in selecting the sample of the study. Self-made questionnaire, Structured interview-schedule and observation method had been used for data collection. The finding of the study shows that 75% of the schools do not have safe drinking water facility and only 25% of the schools have safe drinking water facility. It is also found that 80% of the schools’ face language problem in communicating with the students and only 20% of the schools do not face language problem. It is hoped that this present study would bring awareness among the people, teachers, students, and the Government about the importance of basic facilities in the primary schools in the district. It is also hoped that this study would bring positive changes regarding the various problems faced by the primary schools in the district.

Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstration on Productivity and Yield Gap of Lentil in Kokrajhar District of Assam

The Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLD) on lentil var.WBL-77 was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kokrajhar to find out the grain yield, technological gap, extension gap, and economics during 2020-21 and 2021-22. In both year, lentil variety WBL-77 was used in the demonstration plot and considering local variety as check in the farmer's plot. The result of the study revealed that the yield of lentil was found to be 10.0 q/ha and 9.50 q/ha, respectively under the demonstration plot as compared to 7.0 q/ha and 6.50 q/ha, respectively under the farmer's plot and the yield increased by 42.85 and 46.15 percent, respectively during the year, 2020-21 & 2021-22. The technology gap, extension gap and technology index were found to be 2.0 q/ha & 2.5 q/ha, 3.0 q/ha & 3.0 q/ha, 16.6 % & 20.83%, respectively during 2020-21 & 2021-22. The net return (Rs. 31314.00 /ha & Rs.34074.00 /ha, respectively during 2020-21 & 2021-22) and Benefit Cost ratio (2.59 & 2.87, respectively during 2020-21 & 2021-22) were found to be highest under demonstration plot in both the years. The results depict that the seed yield of lentil in the Kokrajhar district could be enhanced by using lentil var. WBL-77 over local variety and CFLD could be an effective tool to minimize yield gaps.

Abundance study of fish species from Hel River of Kokrajhar, Assam, India

Hel River is an important river of Kokrajhar district of Assam, India, which is a great source of freshwater fish. Considering the availability of indigenous fish species in Hel River and consumption of these species by the local people, the prime objective of this study was to study the fishes in the river. The relative abundance of fishes along with the species richness and species evenness were calculated based on fish samplings from August 2014 to July 2015. A total of 1313 individuals belonging to 25 species were recorded, dominated by family Cyprinidae with nine species. The highest relative abundance was recorded for Barilius bendelisis (15.31%) followed by Garra gotyla (14.09%) and Barilius barna (13.78%). This study may serve as an important baseline for sustainable management of Hel River.

An enumeration of lichen diversity from Ultapani Forest Range of Kokrajhar District, Assam with <i>Ocellularia calvescens</i> and<i>Rhabdodiscus</i> <i>subcavatus</i>, two new records in India

The occurence of 52 species of lichens belonging to 25 genera and 14 families from Ultapani, Saralpara and Labanyapur of Ultapani Forest Range of Kokrajhar district, Assam (India) is provided. The majority of the species are crustose with 43 species, foliose with seven species and fruticose and squamulose with one species each. This study added two new records <italic>Ocellularia calvescens</italic> (Fée) Müll. Arg. and <italic>Rhabdodiscus subcavatus</italic> (Nyl.) Rivas Plata, Lücking &amp; Lumbsch for the first time to the Indian lichen biota. The family Diploschistaceae and Graphidaceae show luxuriant growth in the area followed by Pyrenulaceae and Trichotheliaceae. The genera <italic>Ocellularia</italic> is dominant with seven species followed by <italic>Pyrenula</italic> and <italic>Porina</italic> with six and four species respectively. Among the three areas, Ultapani showed maximum diversity of lichens compared to the other two. The dominance of Diploschistaceae and Graphidaceae members indicates semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forest as well as smooth bark trees in the region that provides healthy forest with ecological continuity.

Quality of Soil in Gossaigaon Sub-Division and Its Impact on Environmental Degradation

People on Earth are under tremendous threat due to undesired changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water and soil. Due to increased human population, industrialization, use of unwanted amounts of fertilizers and man-made activities, water and soil is highly polluted with different harmful contaminants. Natural water and soil contaminates due to weathering of rocks and leaching of soils, mining processing etc. It is necessary that the quality of drinking water and soil should be checked at regular time interval, because due to use of contaminated drinking water, human population suffers from variety of water borne diseases. The study area, Gossaigaon sub-division of Kokrajhar district, Assam lies on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river and is slowly sloping towards south from the foothills of Bhutan upto an average height of 42 MSL. The tributaries of the Brahmaputra- Sankosh, Ripu, Dambra, Bura chara, Gadadhar, Gurufella, Madati, Hel, Gongea are flowing southward which have their sources in the Himalayas. In this paper an attempt has been made to assess the quality of soil of 10 different stations by considering the parameters like Colour, Temperature, pH value, Conductance, Alkalinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Hardness, TS, TDS, Chlorine, Fluorine, Sulphur, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Zinc, Nickel, Lead and Copper which have direct correlation with human health.

Yield Gap Analysis of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. Toria) in Kokrajhar District of Assam, India

The present study was carried out at five different villages of Kokrajhar district of Assam where cluster front line demonstration (CFLD) of High Yielding Variety (HYV) of rape seed (TS 46) was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kokrajhar. A total of 652 nos. of front line demonstration (FLD)s were evaluated to find out the yield gaps between HYV toria variety TS 46 and variety grown by farmers. Yield data of both demonstration and farmers practice were recorded and their yield gap, technology gap, extension gap and technology index were analyzed. The yield of rape seed variety TS 46 was registered 22.38 to 50.00 per cent higher over farmer’s variety. On an average technology gap, extension gap and technology index were recorded as 2.28qha-1, 2.08 qha-1 and 20.73 per cent respectively.

Putative Anthelmintic Plants Used in Traditional Medicine System of Kokrajhar District, India

Background: Traditional medicine (TM) is a common practice among tribal communities of India. The present study has been designed to collect the ethnomedicinal plants used by the Bodo community of Kokrajhar district of India traditionally consumed to cure helminth infection. Methods: A total of 54 villages were surveyed from the Kokrajhar district. Twenty adjacent villages were taken as a cluster, and one informant was interviewed face-to-face with the help of a readymade questionnaire. Traditional knowledge system of anthelmintic herbal medicines such as the name of the plants, parts used, methods of formulation, and mode of uses was collected. The demography of the informants was also collected. Results: Total of 64 species of traditionally used anthelmintic plants belonging to 38 families were documented from Kokrajhar district, India. Andrographis paniculata was the most popular plant, followed by Alstonia scholaris, Ananas comosus, and Azadirachta indica. Poaceae was the most popular plant family with six species of anthelmintic plants. The leaves were the most commonly used plant-part (63%), followed by barks and tubers. Raw, decoction and infusion were the standard method of traditional formulations reported from the district. Fresh and raw plant parts in the form of paste or balls and oral consumption were the primary means of administration. Demographically, most of the knowledge bearers were found to be illiterate and aged above 50 years of age. Conclusions: The medicinal plants reported in the present study could be a source of important medicines. A proper scientific study needs to be carried out to study the efficacy of the traditional formulations to ascertain their bioactivity. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Anthelmintic, Tribal Community, Kokrajhar

Persistence of Trachypithecus geei (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in a rubber plantation in Assam, India

Non-human primates are highly threatened as a result of habitat destruction, agricultural expansion, industrial development, large-scale build-ups and wildlife trafficking. Nearly 60% of all primates are threatened and many are found in habitats with some form of human modifications (e.g., croplands and plantations). The adaptability of primates to survive in human-modified habitats is thus a key to determine their persistence in anthropogenic landscapes. In this study, we examined the population number and age-sex composition of the ‘Endangered’ Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei in a rubber plantation in the Kokrajhar District in Assam, India in 2016, and compared with past data of the langur population and demographics from the same location to better understand the population dynamics, demographic characters and persistence of the Golden Langurs in the rubber plantation. In 2016, we recorded six groups of Golden Langurs totaling 78 individuals with a mean group size of 13.00±4.00SD. Of the total population, 10.29% were adult males, 41.18% were adult females, 32.35% were juveniles and 16.18% were infants. The overall population growth from 1997 to 2016 was estimated to be 5.54% per year. Habitat matrices of rubber plantations with natural forest patches are important in the fragmented landscape for the persistence of Golden Langur populations. They may also act as a corridor for the langurs to move between the fragments and as food resources, highlighting the importance of such matrices for the langurs outside protected areas. Population monitoring and ecological studies in such matrices would therefore be needed for the successful implementation of targeted management strategies for the conservation of these threatened langurs.

In vitro study of the antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anthelmintic properties of some medicinal plants of Kokrajhar district, India.

Alstonia scholaris, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, and Hypericum japonicum are important folk medicinal plants used by tribal communities of Bodoland region of Assam to treat helminth infections. Because of their ethnomedicinal values, the present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anthelmintic activities of the plants. The antioxidant activity was measured by total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, and TBARS assay. Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities of plants were conducted in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) cells. Cells were treated for 24h with different doses (25-200mg/mL) of plant extracts. Anthelmintic study was conducted by treating the Paramphistomum sp. at different doses of plant extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant studies showed rich TPC, TFC, and free radical scavenging activity in H. japonicum and H. sibthorpioides. Both the antiproliferative and anthelmintic bioassays showed a dose-dependent efficacy in all plants. H. japonicum showed the strongest anthelmintic activity (LC50 0.21mg/mL) followed by H. sibthorpioides (5.36mg/mL), C. halicacabum (13.40mg/mL), and A. scholaris (18.40mg/mL). Evidently, H. sibthorpioides showed the strongest antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities among all the plants. The study observed a positive correlation between the antioxidant properties and antiproliferative and anthelmintic activities of the plants. We, therefore, conclude that the phytocompounds present in the crude extracts along with antioxidant molecules may have combined effects contributing to the antiproliferative and anthelmintic activities of the plants.

Occurrence of 26 new additional records to the lichen biota of Assam

The present study deals with 26 new records of lichens to Assam belonging to 14 genera, 9 families and one under Arthoniales from Ultapani Forest Range under Haltugaon Forest division of Kokrajhar district. The crustose lichen showed their dominance in the area with the percentage of 89% and foliose 11%. The members of Diploschistaceae family showed their dominance with three genera and 8 species followed by Graphidaceae with 6 species and Collemataceae, Pyrenulaceae and Thelotremataceae with two species each. The genera Hemithecium exhibited luxuriant growth with five species followed by Ocellularia with four species and Rhabdodiscus with three species. The present study reflects the richness of lichens in the study area. The dominance of Diploschistaceae and Graphidaceae member establishes the existence of semi-evergreen forest in the region and the presence of Ocellularia indicates healthy forest with ecological continuity.

PROTHESIS AND ELISION FOUND IN MECH (BODO) DIALECT OF NORTH BENGAL

Mech (Bodo) is one of the regional Bodo dialects and it falls under the group of Western Bodo Dialect. The dialect is mainly spoken in Darjeeling, AlipurDooars, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts of North Bengal of West Bengal (India). As a dialect, it has been maintaining some linguistic variety in different levels of linguistics. This variety can be displayed by comparing with standard form of Bodo spoken in Kokrajhar district and its adjacent areas of Assam, India. There are some examples in Mech, where extra sounds are found inserted in the beginning of words without changing the structure of word and the meaning. For example, the word ɔkha (rain) of standard Bodo is termed as nɔkha (rain) in Mech. Here, an extra sound nasal alveolar voiced consonant /n/ has been inserted in the beginning of word in Mech. Likewise, some examples of elision are also present in this dialect. For example, the word barsin (jump upon) used in standard Bodo is termed as basin (jump upon) in Mech. In this example, trill alveolar voiced consonant phoneme /r/ has been found deleted from the medial position of word. The main purpose of this paper is to observe and show up the prothesis and Elision present in Mech Dialect.