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Copyright: People of Nameri National Park Area, Gauhati University, Indian Institute of Science

CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY -PEOPLES VIEW

A CASE STUDY INNAMERI NATIONAL PARK AREA, ASSAM

1997

By

R.K.DASBEBEKA BORA

BIBHAB K. TALUKDARRATHIN BARMANP.C. BHATTACHARJEE

ANIMAL ECOLOGY AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGY LAB.DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, GAUHATI UNIVERSITY

GUWAHATI 781 014, ASSAM

SUPPORTED BYBIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PR IORITIZATION PROJEC1

OF WWF- India


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We place on record our gratitude to Prof. Madhav Gadgil of Centre for Ecological

Sciences (CES). Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore for giving us an opportunity

to associate with the biodiversity Conservation Prioritization Project and for his

valuable advices in various steps in this study.

We are thankful to the villagers of the Nameri National Park area for their smooth co-

operation in throughout the period of the study.

We express our sincere thanks to Sri Utkarsh Ghate and Dr. P. Pramod for CES,

IISc, Bangalore for their useful discussion, suggestions and guidance throughout the

study.

We are also thankful to Faculty members of the Department of Zoology, Gauhati

University for their helps. We are grateful to Dr. G. Sarma, Department of Botany,

Gauhati University and Prof. S. K. Sarma, Lecturer, Gauhati College for their help in

taxonomic aspects of fauna and flora in the study.


CONTENTS

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1

Chapter 2. METHODOLOGY 4

Chapters 3. PEOPLESCAPE 9

Chapter 4. LIFESCAPE 26

Chapter 5. ECOLOGICAL HISTORY 3

Chapter6. MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 2 6

Chapter 7. DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 4

Chapter 8. CONFLICTS AND CONSENSUS 43

Chapter 9. STATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS


Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND:

Biodiversity Conservation Prioritization Project (BCPP) is an Indian, participa-

tory project run by National steering committee with funds channelised by W.W.F.-India.

The project has been funded by the Biodiversity Support Programme of the W.W.F.-

U.S. The Project would result in transparent public documentation of priority areas

and strategies for biodiversity conservation in India.

One subgroup would work separately on identifying the priority sites and species

while the other will focus on conservation strategies. The main task of conservation

strategies subgroup is to prepare a realistic, objective account of perceptions of

various sectors of the society about biodiversity conservation. It will not lead to a rigid

set of prescriptions but would present the whole spectrum of viable strategic options

under a range of socio-economic, political and ecological conditions. Thus, the first

subgroup would answer 'what' and 'where' to conserve, the second subgroup would

develop an understanding of 'how' to conserve.

We belong to 'how' group and project named as conservation strategies sub-

group and would have the main component of documenting the knowledge of local

people about biodiversity and conservation.


The objective of this study includes:

1. The ongoing ecological changes and their effect on levels of biodiversity.

2.How different groups of society view these changes and the causes behind the

changes.

3. The measures suggested by the different groups of the people to conserve

the biodiversity and its sustainable use.

4. How these suggestions can which originated at the grassroots level can be imple

mented or help to take effective steps by the authorities.

To do such exercise with a fair concept and thoughts it is very important to

initiate the study at the grassroots level. For doing so a number of village level studies

have been undertaken in the different geographical areas within India. The states having

special importance in the biodiversity have been selected as the target states for one

year long investigation. Which may be further intensified on the different areas. In each

state, sites have been selected to undertake the study , which will represent the

different areas of geographical, social and areas of biodiversity importance.

STUDY AREA SELECTION:

In the Brahmaputra Valley we have selected four sites to initiate the study with

the aim of spreading the exercise into other areas of the region later on. Our

emphasis in selecting the sites were that it should represent the different Zones of

the valley, keeping in mind that the sites should also be important ecologically,

biodiversity rich area and representative of the different social set up of the valley.

Investigators were selected for the different sites on the basis that they are having at

least some previous knowledge and strong goodwill and rapport in their respective

sites.


The four selected sites of the valley are :

Site I- RANI-GARBHANGA AREA ( a cluster of five villages)

Site II- MAJUL1 ( a cluster of fifteen villages)

Site III- DIBRU-SAIKHOWA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ( a cluster of two villages)

Site IV- NAMERI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ( a cluster of six villages)

SITE IV - NAMERI NATIONAL PARK

In Named National Park area we selected a cluster of six villages

named l)Torajan, 2) Bardikarai, 3) Rangachakua, 4) Dharikati, 5) Lakhara and

6) Satai for the BCPP study (Map No. 1). These villages are situated in the

periphery of the national park and the people of these villages are dependent on

the supply of the biodiversity product of the Nameri National Park. Among these

six villages Satai, Torajan and Dharikati are forest village. Lakhara,

Rangachakua and Bardikarai are revenue village.


Chapter 2. METHODOLOGY

The basic framework for the study the methodology was followed as provided by

the Srustigyan manual. For this site we have selected persons who are

knowledgeable and capable of some forms of interpretation of the data generated from

the locality itself. The field team was headed by a educated local youth and the liberty

was given to him for selecting the other field persons with consultation and approval of

the coordinator of the site. The overall guide lines were given to them by the core

committee who are teachers and research scholars of the Animal Ecology and

Wildlife Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati -

781014.

TEAM COMPOSITION:

1. Mr. R.K. Das ------ Coordinator for Nameri

2. Prof. P.C. Bhattacharjee ------ Coordinator for Brahmaputra Valley, Assam

3. Mr. Bibhab K. Talukdar ------ Core committee member

4. Mr. Rathin Barman ------ Core committee member

5. Mr, Bebeka Bora ------ Site Investigator

6. Mr. ------ Member

7. Mr. ------ Member


SITE APPROACH AND RAPPORT BUILD-UP:

The BCPP site coordinator is the D.F.O of Named National Park. The site

coordinator and other members of the field team are from the locality itself, so the initial

rapport building with the villagers in the survey area was done without any major

hindrance. The members of the core committee are also familiar to the locality as they

were associated with a number of wildlife conservation works in the area for last five

years. The villagers were found to be extremely cooperative in the works with the field

team headed by the site investigator.

STUDY TECHNIQUES:

At the beginning the interview of the villagers were taken verbally without using

any writing materials; this was done to avoid the tendency of the people to hide facts

unless a become fully acquainted with the exercise. But after some time when the

investigators were convinced the villagers are fully co-operative only then the

documentation were done. For taking interview, a brief questionnaire was prepared

(Appendix. 1.). The elderly villagers were selected mainly for recording the past

information. All the interviews were taken in informal discussions only. During the

interview data could be successfully collected from both sexes as the ladies are given due

respect and encouraged to offer opinions and do not hesitate to speak out openly. In ini -

tial meetings the general questions were asked but in subsequent visits specific

questions regarding the various uses of the biodiversity and other specific questions

about the landscape elements and various uses of biodiversity, relevant for the findings

the actual picture. The validity of the data and crucial opinions were cross checked

with different groups of local people during various periods of the study.

USER GROUPS:

The initial activity covers the identification of the different user groups of

the area. The people doing similar type of activities and having similar relationship

with biodiversity are considered as the same user group. The people who

perform the only one life supporting activity categorised as the primary user group.


The second group are, who often change the practice from one to other in

different periods of the year, which are not their main life supporting activities are

considered as secondary user group. The other group who do not directly exploit

the biodiversity resources but only consume the biodiversity products by buying

the resources from primary and secondary user groups are considered as tertiary

user group.

To identify the different user groups in the field helps were taken from

the knowledgeable individuals of the area.

IDENTIFYING KNOWLEDGEABLE INDIVIDUALS:

Knowledgeable individuals were identified in the each village after

discussing with the local people as well as from the past experiences of the site

coordinator. The project team members personally met the respective

knowledgeable individuals to record their experiences and knowledge about the

biodiversity of the area.

Landscape elements (LSEs) and their types, ecological history, benchmark,

anthropological truths and other baseline data were recorded during the survey period

of the study and then finalized after discussing the matters in the core group to avoid

the duplication.

RESEARCH AGENDA:

The research agenda for the period of the study has been divided into seven

major topics.

1. Peoplescape: This includes village profile, environment of the area, ethnic

groups, different user groups, knowledgeable individuals, civic amenities and the

general environs of the area.

2. Lifescape: This includes various landscape and waterscape elements in the area

and peoples knowledge about biota with regards to the focal groups.


3. Ecological History of the area: This refers to the village history narrated by

the villagers with reference to the lifescape, peoplescape, species and their status in

different periods of time scales (recognized by the prominent benchmarks, if any). 4.

Outside pressure: This includes the pressures of outsiders regarding the

exploitation of biodiversity in the area.

4. Out side pressure: This includes the pressure of outsiders on exploitation

of biodiversity in the area.

5. Management Options: This includes options of the local people for

managing the biodiversity in a sustainable manner.

6. Development Aspiration: These includes peoples's desire for various forms

of developments and progress both in economic and social term and its likely

impact on biodiversity.

7. Outer links: This includes the perceptions of various types of outsiders

and agencies on the management options of the area.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY:

1. In this site language barrier was identifies one of the main limitation of the study.

2. The field members were not enough trained for the study due to the lack of time

and hence some difficulties were faced when taking the interviews in the villages.

3. The whole BCPP exercise in this site was started late comparing the other sites of

the Brahmaputra valley, due to highly disturbed political and law and order situation

of the area. Hence, some guidelines of the field staff were not properly done due

to lack of time.

Chapter 3. PEOPLESCAPE

The people of this site use the bioresources of the Nameri National Park

and adjoining forest areas since long. The villagers procure fuel, fish, fodder

and wild fruits & vegetables. The fish in the Bharali river, which is one of the

major river system of the north bank of the river Brahmaputra are being

collected by villagers. As fishing inside the National Park is prohibited the

villagers generally use the resources from the adjoining reserve forest areas.


But, some villagers go for illegal fishing and collection of thatch from inside the

national park.

VILLAGE PROFILE:

The details village profiles of the study villages have been presented in the

Table No. la to If

Table No. la: Village profile of TarazanName of the Village Tarazan

District Sonitpur

State Assam

Average Annual Rainfall (approx.) 2000 cm

Temperature Range (approx.) 9°C to 36°C

Total area of the village (approx.) 2 sq. km

Main agricultural product Paddy

Nearest town / city Tezpur

Accessibility By kaccha road

Communication walk 3 km then bus

Terrain Partly hilly

Population 250

Community break up Assamese

Water facility Tubewell; no govt facility

Health centre No health centre

Associated natural ecosystem Nameri National Park

Educational institute One primary school


Table No. 1b: Village profile of Satai

Name of the Village SataiDistrict SonitpurState AssamAverage Annual Rainfall (approx.) 2500 cmTemperature Range (approx.) 100c to 340cTotal area of the village (approx.) 4 sq. kmMain agricultural product PaddyNearest town/ city TezpurAccessibility By Kaccha roadCommunication Walk 3-4 km then busTerrain HillyPopulation 520Community break up Garo, AssameseWater facility Well, Tubewell; no Govt. facilityHealth centre No health centreAssociated natural ecosystem Nameri National ParkEducational institute One primary school

Table No. 1c: Village profile of LakharaName of the Village LakharaDistrict SonitpurState AssamAverage Annual Rainfall (approx.) 2500 cmTemperature Range (approx.) 100c to 360cTotal area of the village (approx.) 6 sq. kmMain agricultural product PaddyNearest town/ city TezpurAccessibility By Kaccha roadCommunication Walk 2 km then busTerrain Partly hillyPopulation About 500Community break up Assamese, Mishing, Nepali, BengaliWater facility Tubewell, well no Govt. facilityHealth centre One primary health centreAssociated natural ecosystem Nameri National ParkEducational institute One Army central school


Table No. 1d: Village profile of RangachakuaName of the Village RangachakuaDistrict SonitpurState AssamAverage Annual Rainfall (approx.) 2500 cm to 2500 cmTemperature Range (approx.) 80c to 360cTotal area of the village (approx.) 5 sq. kmMain agricultural product PaddyNearest town/ city TezpurAccessibility By Kaccha roadCommunication Walk 3 km then busTerrain Partly hillyPopulation 2000Community break up BodoWater facility Tubewell, well; no Govt. facilityHealth centre One primary health centreAssociated natural ecosystem Nameri National ParkEducational institute One primary school, no high school

Table No. 1e: Village profile of BardikaraiName of the Village BardikaraiDistrict SonitpurState AssamAverage Annual Rainfall (approx.) 2000 cmTemperature Range (approx.) 80c to 340cTotal area of the village (approx.) 8 sq. kmMain agricultural product PaddyNearest town/ city TezpurAccessibility By Kaccha roadCommunication Walk 2-3 km then busTerrain HillyPopulation 400Community break up Tea garden labour, Assamese, NepaliWater facility Tubewell; well; no Govt. facilityHealth centre No health centreAssociated natural ecosystem Nameri National ParkEducational institute One primary school


Table No. 1f: Village profile of DharikatiName of the Village DharikatiDistrict SonitpurState AssamAverage Annual Rainfall (approx.) 1500 cmTemperature Range (approx.) 100c to 340cTotal area of the village (approx.) 5 sq. kmMain agricultural product PaddyNearest town/ city TezpurAccessibility By Kaccha roadCommunication Walk 3-4 km then busTerrain PlainPopulation 380Community break up Mishing, AssameseWater facility Tubewel; well no Govt. facilityHealth centre No health centreAssociated natural ecosystem Nameri National ParkEducational institute One primary school

CIVIC AMENITIES:

In all the villages the population is mixed complexion but the assamese

speaking people are the dominant in the area. Among the tribes Bodo, Mishing

and Garo are the dominating. All ethnic groups of the population are Hindu

except some small percentage of Garo are Christian. The Kaccha roads are the

only way of communication through the villages. All villagers have to walk about 3

km for a bus to go to the other parts and the frequency of the bus service is also

very low. Tezpur is the nearest city and the people often visit the city for

purchasing the essential commodities and medicine. There are some small

market places near to the villages from where they get their daily needs. Tube

well and well water is the only source of drinking water. No Govt. effort has been

made so far to improve the drinking water facilities in the villages. The

essential commodities like Kerosene, rice and sugar etc. are being supplied by

the Govt. through public distribution system (PADS) but the amount of the

commodities are insufficient and the ration cards are not updated They have


to collect these items through other means. Among these six villages only two

of them can avail the facilities of Primary health centre. But these primary health

centres are also not equipped with the minimum facilities of essential medicine

and doctors. The people have to depend on the village medicine and for any

kind of serious illness they have to go to Tezpur or nearest Tea Garden's health

centre. Almost all the villages have a primary school but for the higher classes

are to cover for a distance of five to six km.

USER GROUP:

Based on the livelihood activities people of the area could be categorized

under following user groups.

1. Primary User group : a) Cultivator

b) Fisherman

c) Firewood collector

d) Grazier

e) Wild vegetable collector

f) Labour

2. Secondary User group: a) Fisherman (Primary - Cultivation)

b) Medicinal Plant collector (Primary -

Cultivator, Firewood collector)

c) Wild vegetable and fruit collector (Primary -

Cultivator,

Firewood collector, Medicinal plant collector)

d) Businessman (Primary - Cultivator)

e) Timber collector (Primary- cultivator)

f) Hunter (Primary- Cultivator, Secondary-

Labour,

Firewood collector, Timber collector)

g) Rice beer producer (Primary - cultivator)


Tertiary User group: a) Labour (Outsider labour in the tea garden, illegal timber

collections etc.)

b) Officials (in the various govt. works)

It has been seen that it is not very easy to assign an individual into a specific

user group, due to the involvement of the same person in various life support

activities in different seasons. The details community break up of different user

groups have been listed in the Table No.2.

Table No.2 : Community break up of different user groupsUser Group Community

Primary User GroupCultivatorFishermanFirewood collectorGrazierWild vegetable collectorLabour

Secondary User GroupFishermanMedicinal Plant CollectorWild vegetable and fruit collectorBusinessmanTimber CollectorHunterRice beer producer

Tertiary User GroupLabourOfficials


SEASONAL ACTIVITY:

Most of the villagers are cultivator and they do various other works in

different time periods of the year. Most of the people take fish and they do

fishing in almost all seasons of the year though it is intensified in the winter

months (November to early March). The details of the seasonal activities of the

villagers has been presented in the Figure No.l.

OUTSIDERS / TRADERS:

Some of the people engaged in the various Govt. works and tea garden

activities are the only outsiders present in the villages but the numbers are very

few. There are no outsider traders in the villages.

KNOWLEDGEABLE INDIVIDUALS:

The project team identified a good number of knowledgeable individuals

in the villages. They shared their experiences in the bioresource uses and

richness, ecological and political history of the area with the project team

members. The details of the knowledgeable individuals and their expertise have

been presented in the Table No.3.


Table No.3a: Knowledgeable Individuals of Tarazan Village

SI.NO. Name Age Community Profession Specialist

1 Sri Khagen Das 44 Assamese Service History

2 Sri Rajani Das 47 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

3 Sri Nagen Koch 54 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

4 Sri Praffula Bhuyan 46 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

5 Sri Bihuram Das 62 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

6 Sri Benudhar Das 51 Assamese Teacher Traditional Culture

7 Sri Anjan Medhi 39 Assamese Service History

8 Sri Muhidhar Bhuyan 60 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

9 Sri Budui Koch 56 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

10 Sri Jiban Das 48 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation

Table No. 3b: Knowledgeable Individuals of RangachakuaSI.NO. Name Age Community Profession Specialist

1 Sri Bagai Brahma 61 Bodo Cultivator Cultivation

2 Sri Mohendra Boro 53 Bodo Teacher History

3 Sri Uran Brahma 49 Bodo Cultivator Cultivation

4 Sri Bagai Bodo 50 Bodo Cultivator Cultivation

5

6

Sri Jiban

Ramsiary Sri

46

46

Bodo

Bodo

Service

Hunter

Wild plants

Wild Animal 7 Sri Janadan Ramsiary 56 Bodo Cultivator Cultivation

8 Sri Junaram Bodo 56 Bodo Cultivator Cultivation

9 Sri Hema Bodo 54 Bodo Cultivator Cultivation

10 Kayen Kang 42 Garo Business Plants


Table No. 3c: Knowledgeable Individuals of Dharikati

SI.NO Name Age Community Profession Specialist1 Sri Thaneswar Payeng 51 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

2 Sri Deb Milli 44 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

3 Sri Dimbeswar Payeng 56 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

4 Sri Jugeswar Payeng 52 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

5 Sri Lageg Mili 51 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

6 Sri Chandra Payeng 47 Mishing Hunter Wild Animal

7 Sri Kali Ram Mili 54 Mishing Teacher History

8 Sri Bejinal 59 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

9 Sri Barguma Mili 60 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

10 Sri Jay Payeng 46 Mishing Cultivator Cultivation

Table No. 3d: Knowledgeable Individuals of Lakhara

SI.NO. Name Age Community

Profession

Specialist

1 Sri Mohon Thapa 51 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

2 Sri Bhim Bahadur Chetri 49 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

3 Sri Jil Bahadur Chetri 53 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

4 Sri Tikha Sarma 46 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

5 Sri Hema Adhikari 50 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

6 Sri Sajal Nandi 43 Bengali Business Wild Plants

7 Sri Mantu

Ice

4

1

Bengal

i

Business Wild Plants8 Sri Hemanta Sarma 52 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

9 Sri Rana Bahadur Tikki 40 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

10 Sri Nabin Gaur 36 Bengali Business Wild plants


Table No. 3e: Knowledgeable Individuals of SataiSI.NO. Name Age Community Profession Specialist

1 Sri Chandra Changma 52 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

2 Sri Wilson Changma 54 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

3 Sri Den Marak 61 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

4 Sri Jhon Chanma 49 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

5 Sri Rabindra Marak 43 Garo Labour -

6 Sri Britain Marak 54 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

7 Sri Hemedhan Changma

62 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

8 Sri Gobin Changma 61 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

9 Sri Chandra Marak 48 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

10 Sri Nelnon Marak 59 Garo Cultivator Cultivation

Table No. 3f: Knowledgeable Individuals of BardikaraiSI.NO. Name Age Community Profession Specialist

1 Sri Manglu Nayak 47 Adivashi Labour Plants

2 Sri Durlav Thapa 44 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation

3 Sri Gajendra Taty 48 Adivashi Labour Plants

4 Sri Rajani Hazarika 43 Assamese Service History

5 Sri Gaja Mundu 54 Adivashi Labour Plants

6 Sri Sajal sarma 50 Nepali Teacher Histor

y 7 Sri Mahen Adhikari 55 Nepali Cultivator Cultivation 8 Sri Kalisaran Das 50 Assamese Teacher History 9 Sri Chandra Ganju 54 Adivashi Labour Plants

10 Sri Jugen Das 57 Assamese Cultivator Cultivation


CULTURAL AND OTHER ASPECT:A) Structure of House: Most of the houses of the villages are with thatch

roof. The walls are made of bamboo sticks and mud. Some families, which are

comparatively richer has changed the structure of the houses with bricks and CI

sheets. Most cases the flooring are maintained with mud. Each house comprises of

one kitchen, one main house (bed room, middle room, drawing room) and one

outer room for guests. In most families a cow shed is maintained in the front side

of the campuses.

b) Food Habits: Almost all villagers are non vegetarian and the rice is the

main food. In each meal they take rice, dal, some vegetables and fish (if available).

In a good number of families the morning meal comprised of rice and some

vegetable. The morning rice may be the surplus of the previous meal. In once in

a week or less frequently they take chicken, pork, mutton etc. Almost all family

members of the tribal families take rice beer regularly (adult members including

females).

c) Dress Code: In each tribal families typical tribal dresses are not been

maintained as the compulsory dresses for the family members. Dress materials,

specially the ladies weaved their dresses by themself. The ladies also weave

some essential cloth materials for the family like the mosquito nets, bed covers,

towels etc. In festivals they do wear their own tribal dresses. The younger generally

use the pent shirts and girls use the general non traditional dresses. Other non tribal

families wear the general north Indian dresses.

(d) Deitics: Most of the families are Hindu and they worship the Hindu Gods

and Goddess. Pujas are offered in the specified days by the villagers.

e) Major Festivals: Bihu is the major festival for all communities of the

villages (Bahag Bihu or Rangali Bihu in April, Kati Bihu or Kangali Bihu in October

and Mangh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in January). The Mishing community also has

their own festivals like Ali-aai-rigang etc. Outsiders and other communities also

take part in the festivals of the tribals and Bihu.


Chapter 4: LIFESCAPEAll six villages of this site are situated in the boundary of Nameri National

Park. They encounter wild animals very frequently. Specially the elephants are

the main animal which causes major damage the crops of the villagers The

adjacent forest areas are frequently used by the villagers for the fuels and thatch.

The illegal timber operations are also common in some parts of these areas. Most

wild animals and economic plants are concentrated in the far and higher altitude

areas, nearing Arunachal Pradesh boarders of the Park. The different user groups

of the areas thus, use different forest areas for the biodiversity procurement. The

villagers do fishing mainly in the Jia Bharali and Bardikarai river. They also

sometime go for fishing in the small tributaries of these two rivers which are deep

inside the park. Though fishing is illegal inside the Park boundaries but the

villagers often collect fish during night. The different user groups of the villages

differ in their opinion in the methodology to be adopted in conserving the different

landscape elements.

LANDSCAPE OF THE AREA:

The major land area associated with the villages is forest types with partly

hilly terrain of gentle slope and the rivers with the associated wetland systems. In

the forest a good number of economically important tree species exists which

is reducing alarmingly. The other non timber forest products (NTFP) are also

depleting drastically in the forest areas of Nameri National Park areas and its

adjoining reserve forests. The major NTFP are the bamboo and cane which are

the strongest life support biodiversity product for the villagers and also a good

revenue earning source for the forest department. These bioresources depletion

is the major concern of the villagers because of the depletion of the bamboos in

the easily accessible areas.


LAND OWNERSHIP, USE AND COMPOSITION:

Among the six villages Satai, Tarajan and Dharikati are forest village and the

rest three are revenue village. All villages in the area are settled in the areas

more than hundred years ago coming from the different parts of state of Assam.

The Nepalese are the migrant from the eastern part of the state and also from

Nepal since long past. The Garo population is migrant from the Garo Hills of

present Meghalaya state and settled here much earlier than the formation of

Meghalaya state. The other population like Bihari and labour class, comprised of

almost all communities, had come to the place for different purposes related with

tea garden activities and later settled in the area and the process is still continuing.

The Bodo population are the indigenous of the northern bank of Brahmaputra and

the population is expanding day by day and occupying new areas near forest. The

Mishing population is also indigenous population of the eastern part of Assam and

they are the older gro-up of population of the area.

SPECIES DIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION:

The landscape elements with their uses and the species of plants and

animals (major fauna which they use in different purposes) are being presented

in Table No.4

The villagers have a sound knowledge of plants species utilized for various

purposes. They have excellent skills and knowledge of deciding the quality of the

timber bases on the nature of wood. As such they can differentiate affectively the

durable, light, heavy, fire/moisture resistant wood, good polishable furniture wood

from the rest. Most timber yielding trees are declining from the forest. The bamboos

of different species which are used for different purposes depending on the strength

and quality of the species are vanishing rapidly from the forest which are easily

accessible to the villages. The fuel wood producing trees, thatch, canes and wild

vegetables were earlier available in the nearby forest areas of the villages which are

outside the park boundaries and now-a-days almost all of these species are

vanished from these areas and people are bound to enter to the National Park

boundaries for their needs.


Table No.4a :List of important Vegetable and Fruits collect by the villagers from the forest.

Local Name Scientific name Collects from

Kalmau Ippomea reptans Wetland

Padum Nehimbo nucifer do

Bhet Nymphaea rubra do

Kapalphuta Phyralis minima do

Manimuni Oxalis cornicilata Forest

Narsingha Murraya koenigii do

Vebelilata Paederia foelida do

Masandry Sak Hauttnia cordata do

Bankachu Colocasia esculenta do

Bamboo Shoot Bambusa arundinecea do

Pamguri tenga - do

Bet gaj Calamus tenuis do Gaj alu Dioscorea globosa do

Kath alu Discorea alaia do

Naga dhania/ Man dhania Eryngium foetidum do

Keteku Pandanus furcatus do

Mitha alu Ipomea botatas do

Jalphai Olea europea do

Bagari Zizyphus juujuba do

Nara bagari Prunus persica do

Amlakhi Phyllanthus niruri do

Silikha Terminalia chebula do

Poniol Flacourtia jangomas do

Kathal Artocarpus integrifolia do

Rabab tenga Citrus maxima do


Betguti Calamus tenuis do

Bel Aegle marmelos do

Tit kerela Momordica cochinensiss do

Aam Magnifera indica do

Saru jam Eugenia jambos do

Bar jam Eugenia jambolana do

Saklati Alternanthera sp. do

Teteli Tamarindus indica do

Ol kachu Amorphophallus campannlatus

do

Ban bilahi Lycoperscicnm esculentum do

Table No. 4b: List of Locally available WoodSI. No. Local Name Scientific Name Why should conserve

1 Sal Shorea robusta Good timber value

2 Segun Tectona grandis do

3 Sisu Dalhargia sisso do

4 Titachapa Michelia champaea do

5 Koroi Albizzia Iebbeek do6 Aam Magnifera indica Fruit value

7 Jam Eugenia jambolana Timber and fruit

8 Poma Cedrela toona Fire wood

9 Moj Albizzia lucida do

10 Bel Aegle marmelos Fruit, medicinal value

11 Amlakhi Phyllanthus embleca do

12 Silikha Terminalia chebula do

13 Gamri Gmelina arborea Good timber value

14 Kathal Arthocarpus heterophylla Fruit value

15 Oitenga Dillenia indicu do 16 Sonaru Cassia fistula Timber value

17 Simalu Bombax ceaba Plywood value


18 Bet Calamus tenius Furniture value

19 Bamboo Bambusa arundinacea Household need, firewood

20 Teteli Tamarindus indica Fruit value

Table No. 4c: List of Important fishes collect by the villagersLocal name Scientific Name Collect from

Silgharia Labeo pangusia Rivers / wetlands

Bahal pithia Tor tor do

Jangal pithia Tor putitora do

Pithia Tor spp. do

Gauranga - do

Sal mas Channa marulius do

Sol mas Channa sfia/us do

Bhakua / Bahu Cat/a cat fa do

Mali Labeo calbasu do

Mirika Cirrhina mrigala do

Ari Mystus seenghala do

Kaoui Anabus testudonius do

Puthi Puntius spp. do

Seniputhi Puntius saron do

Goroi Channa punctatus do

Selkana - do

Nara Labeo spp. do

Chengeli Channa spp. do

Darikana Estoma dormicus do

Magur Claruis batracus do


TableNo.4d: List of Animal sighed (and often hunted) by the villagers.Local Name English name Scientific name StatusMethun Bison Bos gaurus Rare

Sar Pahu Samber Cervus unicolor Rare Sugari Pahu Barking deer Muntiacus muntjak Rare

Hati Elephant Elephus maximius Common

Bangh Tiger Panthera tigris Rare

Lata makari Leopard cat Felis bengalensis Common

Naharphutuki Leopard panthera pardus Very rare

Hepa / Banmekuri Jungle cat Felis chaus Rare

Jahamal Civet Vivera zibetha Common Banaria manh Wild Buffallow Bubalus bubalis Rare

Kerketua Squirrel Ratufa indica Common

Ram Sial Jackel Canis aureus Common

Sial Fox Vulper bengalensis Common

Bandar Monkey Maccaca mulata Common

Banaria Gahari Wild boar Servous servous Common

Table No.4e: List of Bird sighted (and often hunted) by the villagers.Local Name English name Scientific name Status

Deo hanh White winged duck Cairina scutulata Very rare Bartokola Adjutant stork Leptoptilos spp. Rare Bhatou Parakeet Psitakula spp. Common Kauri Crow Corvus spp. Common

Salika Maina Acridotheres tristis Common

Maina Hill maina Gracula religiosa Common

Kapou Dove Streptopelia spp. Common

Bagali Herons & Egrates Ardea .spp. Egretta. spp., Bubulcus ibis

Common

Dhanesh Hornbill Common


Table No.4f: List of other fauna which are used by the villagers as food.Local Name English name Scientific name Class/ Genus

Gota Samum Pila Pila globossa Mollusca

Kekora Crab - Crustacia

Uichiringa Cricket Gryllus Insecta

The villagers have specific vernacular name for the most of the fish species

available in the nearby wetlands. The new generations don't know the vernacular

names of the fishes and they are also reported that some fishes which are described

by their father and grandfather are not available in the wetlands and rivers at

present. The size of the available fishes are also much smaller as described by their

parents in the past. Among the bird species like jangle fowl, waterfowl, egrates,

herons, dove are often hunted and eaten by the villagers. The tribal youth sometime

go for the bird hunting in the nearby forest. Some villagers some time go for animal

hunting in the forest. Wild boar and deers are the most common animal which are

hunted by the villagers nearby. They know that animal hunting is prohibited but they

said that they can do it without come to notice of the forest department persons. All

villagers are very much concern about the elephant depredation which has taken a

serious proportion. The elephant often destroy the paddy and some cases huts and

other household properties in the area. The very first query of the all villagers are

about the elephant depredation cases and they opined that it should be looked into

by the government immediately. The cases of animal hunting by the villagers are

reducing during the last couple of years and the villagers said

the animals are now not accessible to the hunters in the nearby forests and for

hunting and they have to go to the deep forest which is risky as they are afraid of

being caught in the hands of forest personals.

SOCIAL VALUES:

Almost all of the villagers depend upon for their subsistence on the species of

plants and habitat patches of the area. All type of user group depend on the

firewood from the forest and fishes from the wetlands. The bamboos are the main

construction material for all the villagers. They use thatch for roof of their houses. In


the recent years the increasing population of the villages and the outsider pressure

on the exploitation of the forest products has an immense negative effect on the

motivation of biodiversity conservation of the villages. Some villagers also getting

involved in the illegal forest operations with the outsiders might be due to the

economic constrains.

Fig:1 Seasonal Activities of villagers

Chapter 5: ECOLOGICAL HISTORYIt is worthwhile to review the historical patterns and the current changes in the

socio-economic-political composition, bioresources utilization and conservation

efforts of the area before looking into the future management options. This history,

at least of the recent past, provides important lessons about the driving forces behind

the changes and rational ways to encourage or discourage depending upon their

desirability.

BENCHMARKS:The Nameri forest area is one of the oldest protected forest area of the state

of Assam. From the year 1878 the whole area was under Naduar Reserve Forest

which was declared by the British. In 1985 the Government of Assam declared the

Nameri Wildlife Sanctuary and came under the Wildlife Protection Act. From 1985 the

area is completely restricted from the logging activities. The hunting or entering

into the forest is completely protected and the biodiversity exploitation activities by

the people are being stopped in the area. The declaration of the Wildlife Sanctuary is

thus considered as one of the major benchmark for the biodiversity conservation

efforts in the area. Earlier to 1985, though it was a reserve forest(RF) the people used

to go to the forest to coped with their biodiversity needs from the forest and wetland

inside the reserve forest area. People used to fish in the rivers and wetlands, collect

the timber, firewood, thatch and wild vegetable from the jungles for their household

purposes. People used to hunt the wild animals in the forest. But after 1985 they were


refrained from entering into the forest and according to them they are deprive of their

daily need by the government. But of late they have understood the need of the

conservation efforts as they found that after declaring the wildlife sanctuary the

outsiders who earlier came to exploit the resources has been stopped by the forest

personnel.

In 1997 the Nameri Wildlife Sanctuary has declared as National Park by the

State Government primarily recognising its rich biodiversity values. Some of the rare

and most endangered fauna are being restricted in the area and was essential to

protect these species by strongest measures. After declaring the National Park the

people of the area said proudly that their forest is now a National Park and they will

cooperate with the forest department in all conservation efforts. But still some people

have some points in their mind that they have to vacate their villages for the benefits

of conservation of wild animals. The project team found some people that they are

trying to clear the misconception of the others in this case.

Chapter 6: MANAGEMENT OPTIONSIn the conservation scenario peoples views are never taken into

consideration by any government departments in the area. The people also don't

have any idea about the self maintenance of the natural resources that they use for

their lively hood activities. Till date they just use the resources without maintaining

the sustainable way of their natural resources. The people often complain about

the illegal exploitation of the timber resources by the outsiders with the hidden

support of the law enforcing authorities. Some villagers also found to take this

opportunity in the illegal forest operations.

It has been found that the villagers in the area irrespective of the community

are very egar to protect the forest and consequently the bioresources of the area.

The are afraid of the encroachment of the forest land by the outside people

specially from the Arunachal Pradesh and tribes from the other areas of the

district.


PEOPLES PROTECTION INITIATIVE:Till today no initiative has been established by the villagers or by the

government to involve the local villagers for the formation of any peoples

protection committee for the conservation and management of the bioresources

of this area. During the exercise it has found that the people are interested to take

part in the management process for the benefit and well management of the

natural resources of the area.

SUSTAINABLE USE:

Any sustainable use of the natural resources by the villagers could be

recorded in the area. Some people even don't have the idea about the sustainable

use of the bioresources. But still some knowledgeable persons mentioned the idea

and they are interested to implement some strict restriction of the use of the

resources.

EXPECTED COOPERATION FROM THE OUTSIDERS:

The villagers want help in various forms from outsiders particularly nature lovers

who really want to conserve nature with their resources. They also want support for

getting the other benefits which will help them to make self sustain in various

dimensions specially like getting enough kerosine and rice through Public

Distribution System, to stop influential illegal timber smugglers etc. They also want

outsiders help for establishing a good relation with the government departments.

Chapter 7: DEVELOPMENT ASPIRATIONThe villagers which have been taken as the site for the BCPP studies are

situated very near to the Named National Park and away about 40 km from the

nearest city Tezpur. The development aspirations which the villagers focused should

be reviewed on that contest.


DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY:In the area biodiversity has often been depleted by peoples pursuit of social

and personal development. The population growth, increased fuel wood demands,

economic constrains and loss of productivity in the cultivable lands have all lead to

bioresource depletion in the site. Market demand on timber is one of the main cause

of depletion of forest areas adjoining to the national park. The demand may even

originate in the other parts of the state as well as outside. The continuous extraction

of timber in the forest areas of Arunachal Pradesh is also influence the people of this

area to involve into the illegal timber smuglings in the areas.

1. During the course of study of personal development aspirations villagers

expressed that they will not leave the village at any cost, even if they got substantial

economic gain from other sources. But a very few villagers expressed that they are

ready to think once again the matter if proper benefits come form the alternative

sources. The non-tribals are the population of this group. They are frustrated with

the economic constrains which are reinforced by the political situation of the area.

2. The villagers viewed that sufficient amount of resources in the form

of educational, sociological and economic be given then the uses of forest

resources will be minimise automatically. But outsider should not interfere in the

forest totally.

3. Another issue they pointed out was regarding the road condition of

the villages. But they also apprehend that if the Govt. construct good road then

the illegal exploitation of bioresources by outsider will be more.

4. The river bank erosion must be stopped by the respective authorities

with proper care. Due to the ignorance of the Govt. department they are

loosing their cultivable land as well as the other productive land in every year

and their economic problems are rising day by they.

5. The tourism industry should be more intensified in the National Park

involving the local people as guide to the tourists and a major portion of the

income generated by the Govt. in tourism aspect should go to the local villages.

It may be in the form of community developmental works.

6. DRDA should be more active in all developmental works in the villages.

7. Development projects like Gobar Gas and Solar Energy projects should


come to the villagers at a lower cost through various Govt. schemes. This will

reduce the demand of fuelwood from the nearby forest areas.

8. Fishery extension programmes should be introduced by the fishery

department to encourage involve the local people for establishing the "home

fishery" which will refrain them from entering into the forest areas for fish.

IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY AND WORLD VIEW:

Most of the people are well aware of the importance of biodiversity and its global

view. The villagers opined that they have enough experiences of the negative

impact of the biodiversity depletion in the area and they understood that the

negative effect might have arises in the other parts of the world. They also opined

that these negative impact only affected the poorer section of the world.

Chapter 8: CONFLICTS AND CONSENSUS

CONFLICTS:

1. Man - Elephant conflict emerges as the main conflict between the villagers and

Govt. Department.

2. Conflicts between the forest encroachers and the forest department is a major

concern in the area.

3. Illegal fishing inside the national park using poison and bomb blasting is a

long standing conflict between the forest department and the people around

4. Conflict arises between the illegal timber merchant and the local villagers for

the sharing of the bioresources of the nearby forest. The local villagers also

complain about the govt. harrashment due to the illegal timber and poaching

activities by the outsiders, where the villagers are no way involve in the matter.

5. The Govt. Department also complains about the involvement in the illegal

poaching and timber activities by the villagers around.

Other than the above mentioned conflicts no major conflicts have been

noted within the user groups of the villages.


CONSENSUS:So, far no consensus has been made in any level to minimise the exploitation of

biodiversity products in the area. Though, it has been noted that the people of the

area are interested to do so in the village level to establish some rules in this

aspect. The Govt. officials of the National Park are also interested to establish a

network of understanding to minimise the biodiversity piessme which will also helps in

conservation point of view in the park.

By Outsiders

Fig No. 2 Pattern of Bioresource Exploitation

Chapter 9: STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANFor the better utilization of the bioresources of the area concerning the

conservation aspects of the fauna and flora following action plans have been worked

out with the consultation with the local villagers.

1. Elephant depredation must be controlled through government effort immediately.

2. Village committee should be formed to establish a network with the Forest

department to look after the adjoining forest areas of National Park within the limits of

forest law. The committee will inform the authority immediately regarding any illegal

happenings in the nearby forest areas to take legal action.

3. Outside interference in the form of forest resource exploitation must be

immediately stopped.

4. No major forest activities like timber operation etc. should be permitted by

the authority to anyone for a minimum period of ten years in the adjoining reserve

forest areas.

5. Any form of Government welfare activities, while implementing the villagers should

be consulted.


6. Fishery department should take urgent steps to encourage the villagers for

establishing their own fisheries.

7. The Govt. must some urgent steps to stop encroachment by the outsides in the

reserve forest areas.

8. Plantation programmes should be taken by the govt. department in the areas

where the trees have been cut during recent years by the encroachers and villagers

should be involve in maintenance of these areas.

9. In future the revenue earned by the govt. from these areas should be spent

in the villages in the form of various developmental works.

10. Tourist industry in the National Park should be prioritized as a major aspect and

the local villagers should be involve in the process so that the people around get

benefited economically.

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