Informatics Publishing Limited

Gendan Tsering ¹, Gibji Nimasow ¹, Oyi Dai Nimasow ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Geography, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar 791 112, IN
2 Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar 791 112, IN

Abstract

The Monpas are one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh inhabiting the western-most part of the state. They live in close proximity to the forest and other natural resources with rich indigenous knowledge system (IKS) for sustainable development. Chuskor, an indigenous technique for grinding grains into fine flour operated by water power for sustainable water resource utilization is reported here. We also analyse the role of Chuskor as an IKS which, if preserved and continued, may help in the sustainable utilization of renewable resources by local people in difficult mountainous areas.

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Gibji Nimasow ¹, Oyi Dai Nimasow ¹, Jawan Singh Rawat ², Gendan Tsering ¹, Takom Litin ¹

Affiliations
1 Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, Itanagar 791 112, IN
2 Government Degree College, Chaukhutia 263 656, IN

Abstract

Taxus baccata is a valuable plant for taxol extraction used in preparation of anti-cancer drugs, Kaposi's sarcoma and over 20 such other indications. It is a slow-growing evergreen tree found in the altitudinal range 1500-3000 m. Around 2-3 million kg of biomass is harvested annually, whereas the sustainable rate of harvesting is estimated to be 0.6 million kg/year. Linear transect recorded 118 Taxus plants, out of which 99 were live and 19 were dead. The importance value index was calculated for T. baccata and five associated plants T. mertensiana recorded the highest with 78.32 and T. baccata lowest with 34.22 out of 300. The MaxEnt and SMCE models were used for suitability modeling of Taxus. The occurrence points and environmental layers-current global climate, altitude, slope and aspect were used for the MaxEnt. The results show 5.31% area under highly suitable and suitable and 80.14% not suitable. For SMCE, the digital elevation model from USGS website, LISS 3, IRS-P6 (Resourcesat), row/path 110/052 (25 November 2011) the annual average rainfall, temperature and humidity were used. The results show 61.66% under highly suitable and suitable and only 2.8% under not suitable category. The MaxEnt results are specific and targetoriented, whereas the SMCE results appear more generalized. The region is potential area for occurrence of T. baccata in natural stand as well as suitable area for regeneration.

Keywords

Medicinal Plants, Suitability Modeling, Taxol, Taxus baccata.

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