Studies on the Anthropogenic impact on leafy vegetables of forest coverage area of Goalpara district, Assam, India.

Abstract

The present study exploring the forest diversity status of the Goalpara district of Assam, particularly on edible leafy vegetables. Study indicates presently, a large scale of forest land of the district is undergoing rampant deterioration due to high rate of anthropogenic disturbances resulting in serious threat to the forest diversity, as well as leafy vegetables and herbs including forest Eco-system. The district has 36430.83-hectare forest land and it consist of total RF 56 numbers and total PRF 47 numbers. There is no forest village in the district. Study indicates that encroachment area of forest land, RF 5278.64 and PRF 2743.50 hectare respectively. The present endeavour is an attempt to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities or disturbance on the forest diversity especially wild green leafy vegetables of district. The geographical area of forest land in Goalpara district 36430.83 hectare out of total geographical area of 253045 hectare. The encroachment statistics analysis revealed that the forest land status has been found to be gradually declining tendency due to population explosion, lack of proper awareness, over extensive exploitation and a war between development and nature. The present study on forest land encroachment and indiscriminate collection in Goalpara district reveals the main root cause of sharply decline of forest area, as well as loss of edible ethnobotanical leafy vegetables. It is urgent to need restore forest diversity of natural habitat of leafy vegetables in the district. Leafy vegetables are traditionally used in edible vegetable, as well as natural medicine by different tribes in Goalpara district such as Rabha, Bodo, Garo and other indigenous communities.