Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

Abstract

An exploration was undertaken for identification of medicinal plants frequently used by the forest fringe people of Nayagram Range under Midnapore West Forest Division of South West Bengal. A total of 75 species having medicinal value could be identified and presented along with their identifying characters like botanical name, local name, family, plant type etc. and uses of the plant components against different diseases. The species diversity in medicinal plants belongs to 34 dicotyledonous plant families and 4 monocotyledonous families. In dicotyledons, the maximum number of genera belong to the family Fabaceae and the maximum number of species belong to the genus Terminalia. In monocotyledons, the family Liliaceae is represcnted by a maximum number of genera. The medicinal utility of the plant species has also been highlighted.

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Nilanjana Das , B. K. Prasad , G. B. Manna , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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S. K. Sarkar , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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In the lateritic tract of South-West Bengal Sal coppice forests, JFM programme had started in late 1990s and is apparently successful. But the major factor for the continuity of the programme depends on the viability and buoyancy of the institutions i.e. Forest Protection Committees (FPCs) formed for this purpose. In this study attempts were made to assess the income of the FPC members from different sources and resources in Midnapore District of West Bengal, selecting sample FPCs all over the district. How far such income is encouraging to keep them involved in the programme and the ways and means to enhance income have also been indicated and suggested.

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Nilanjana Das , S. C. Mahapatra , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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No abstract

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Nilanjana Das , B. K. Prasad , G. B. Manna , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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No abstract

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Nilanjana Das , S. C. Mahapatra , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Wild mushrooms are important Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) from the forests and are being used as food since prehistoric times. About 280 species of edible mushrooms are available in the forests of India. Such mushrooms are protein rich and some of them are mycorrhizal, found on trees, while others are non-mycorrhizal. In Himachal Pradesh, about 70 edible mushrooms belonging to different species have been identified. Important species have been briefly described, indicating regions where these are found. Very few of these wild edible mushrooms have been commercially exploited. A good many of these can be collected and consumed as vegetables. They form part of the diet of the local tribal people but are generally neglected in urban civilized society owing to ignorance of their food value and panic about poisonous effects. Awareness about their food value should be created as these are quite tasty. On the other hand, popularized flowers mushroom packing has reduced their number and. Careful study of this effect is needed. Efforts should also be made to maintain their genetic variability in their natural habitat.

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Syamal Kumar Sarkar , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) plays an Important role in the sustenance of the Forest Protection Committee members and that too on annual basis. Sabai grass is one such material which can be treated as forest produce by cultivating it as plantation intercrop and without interfering with the silviculture of the tree crop. In Nayagram block of West Midnapore Forest Division (West Bengal) Sabai is grown extensively both inside and outside forest areas. There is immense scope in value addition of this produce to augment the income of the protection committee members. That will also help the institutions to achieve economic viability. Rural Development Centre ofIndian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur is imparting training to Forest Protection Committee members on processing, value addition and exploring markets of the Sabai based products.

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) constitute an important source of food for economically backward communities living in the forests of the Nayagram Range of West Midnapore Forest Division , South-West Bengal. Items collected for household consumption include leaves and young shoots , flowers , fruits , tubers , mushrooms etc. The average annual collection was found to be highest for Mahua flowers followed by tubers , leafy vegetables , mushrooms and fruits. The consumption pattern of forest edibles varied widely over the FPCs studied. The present study on nutritional aspect confirms the presence of major nutritive elements in forest edibles in appreciable amount. Therefore , NTFPs have immense prospects to provide solution to the problems of hunger , malnutrition and poverty of the rural poor in the world.

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S. K. Sarkar , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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This article is based on field survey to assess the performance of the Forest Protection Committees through participatory monitoring in four Forest Divisions of Midnapore District with their success and drawbacks.

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