NeBIO

Vol. 3, No. 2, June 2012, 26-32

Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river Atreyee at
Balurghat block of Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal
Dibyendu Talukdar1and Tulika Talukdar2
1Department of Botany, R.P.M. College, University of Calcutta, Uttarpara 712258, West Bengal
2Systematics and Plant Taxonomy section, Department of Botany, University of Kalyani,

Kalyani-741 235, West Bengal

ABSTRACT

An assessment of plant diversity was carried out through 20 Km long stretch of old basin
of river Atreyee at Balurghat block of Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India
during October, 2010. All together, 400 square quadrats were laid down along the
basin, and 84 plant species were documented. Frequency and density varied greatly
among the taxa, while many species were not evenly abundant in the study areas.
Study revealed use of 39 plants as herbal medicinal purposes by different ethnic tribal
communities, particularly Santhals and Mundas, residing along the basin. Besides
medicine, plant resources were found utilized as source of vegetables and also for
forage, manure, fishing, sheltering and religious purposes which indicates diversity of
the study area and needs urgent conservation.

Keywords: Abundance, Atreyee, Biodiversity, Ethno-botany, Medicinal plants, Plant

density.

Wetlands represent interface between land and water,
and therefore support a wide range of floral and
faunal diversity to form the most productive
ecosystem in the world (Smith, 1980). The forests,
woodlands, lakes, swamps, river and floodplain
areas, and the plant and animal species they support,
yield a wide range of products important to local
livelihoods (Gibbs, 2000). Biodiversity and
conservation of wetlands in geologically fragile but
species rich Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan regions
are, therefore, extremely important for sustainable
development of these regions. Pandey (2002) stressed
use of traditional knowledge system in biodiversity
conservation including wet lands in India.
Macrophyte diversity and species richness was
reported in wetlands of several districts of North
Bengal (Bandyopadhyay and Mukherjee, 2005, 2009;
Goswami et al., 2010).
The river Atreyee is an international river, and
constitutes one of the most important river basins in
Sub-Himalayan barind tract of North Bengal in West
Bengal, India. She originates in West Bengal and
then after flowing through Dinajpur district of
Bangladesh, it enters India again through Kumar-
ganj and flows nearly 23 Km. through Balurghat
block in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal,
India. The river then renters Bangladesh and flows
into ‘Chalan Beel’. During 1787, a major tectonic
disturbance led to splitting of Atreyee along with
other major rivers in North Bengal from its mother
Teesta. Concomitantly, Atreyee changed her course,
and is now flowing through the western part of the
present day Balurghat Town, leaving its original
course in the middle and eastern part of this block as
perennial, tiny flow, locally known as ‘khari’. The
old basin of river Atreyee flows nearly 20 Km from
north-east to south-west in Balurghat block, before
she merges with main flow of river in the heart of the
town. The basin is actually a perennial wetlands, and
is influenced by climatic conditions of Himalayan
terrain (mean summer temperature 34.5±2°C, Winter
11.7±3°C, annual rainfall ca.1700mm) with
occasional flooding during monsoon. The region is
not only very rich in floral diversity, but also
inhabitants of indigenous Santhal and Munda tribe.
Although some reports are available in diversity of
aquatic plants and their ethnomedicinal uses in
erstwhile West Dinajpur district (Mitra & Mukherjee,
2005, 2007), documentation of wild flora, and their

Author for correspondence

Dibyendu Talukdar
Email: dibyendutalukdar9@gmail.com
© NECEER, Imphal
Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river , West Bengal Talukdar and Talukdar
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
uses as edible and medicinal uses have been
neglected along the old river basin of the present day
Dakshin Dinajpur district. Furthermore, due to
increasing agriculture in upper fertile region and
urbanization at lower part (Balurghat town and
surroundings), the old basin undergoes gradual
shrinkage not only in area but also in species
diversity. The present work is, therefore, undertaken
to study the plant diversity, and use of herbal plants
by indigenous people in this biodiversity rich
wetland. The main objectives were to 1) document
the plant community 2) perform community and
quantitative analysis, and 3) identify plants used in
various purposes by local indigenous tribes in study
areas.
Materials and methods
Study area
The district of Dakshin Dinajpur was created during
April 1, 1992 by breaking up erstwhile West
Dinajpur, West Bengal, India with eight blocks
retaining status of Balurghat (25.22°N / 88.77°E) as
headquarters of Balurghat Block. The study area
covers 20Km, starting from Pagliganj GP (gram
panchyat) to the merger point of ‘khari’ to main river
Atreyee at Balurghat town (Figure 1). It receives run-
off water from adjacent areas during monsoon and
often push-back water from main river Atreyee
during flooding. Its depth varies greatly ranging
between 5ft and 32 ft in some regions, and after onset
of winter, its flow interrupted at several points but
never dries up.
Field study
Field work was carried out during October, 2010 to
document vegetation and their uses by local tribal
communities along its course. In study sites (20 such
sites have been selected), 20 quadrats of 10m × 10m
(100 sq m) for shrub and tree and 20 quadrats of 1m×
1m (1 sq m) size for herbaceous species were
randomly laid for sampling. Density, frequency and
abundance of plant species were determined on the
basis of individual species observed in the quadrats
lay. Diameter at breast height (at 1.37 m from the
ground) of all the trees with >30 cm circumference in
each quadrat was measured and recorded for each
tree species.
Ethno-botanical study
For ethno-botanical study, village elders and local
tribal healers were interviewed on the basis of semi-
structured questionnaires and interactions. In
NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 2, June 2012, 26-32
majority of cases, the respondents (both male and
female; the male constituted over 70% of
respondents) targeted were over 35 years of age.
Also, younger generation was taken into confidence
to get their awareness and interests in the traditional
ethno-botanical practices. Local weekly markets
(hats) in the vicinity of the ‘khari’ were also surveyed
to take a glimpse of availability and utilization of
plant resources. The first author being native to
Balurghat, Dakshin Dinajpur district conducted the
interactive session with locals. The collected plant
specimens were identified with available literatures,
and voucher specimen was deposited at departmental
herbaria of Botany department, R.P.M. College,
Uttarpara, Hooghly, West Bengal.
Figure 1. Course of old river basin (khari) of Atreyee (blue
thin) and study areas (red spots) along the basin. Note that
‘khari’ enters Balurghat block at Pagligunj area (Plgl GP)
and merges with main river flow at the heart of Balurghat
town (Google maps with some modifications). GP-Gram
panchayat area, BF-Balurghat forest, UA-Urban areas, BT-
Balurghat town, EP-entry of khari at Balurgaht block
(Pagligunj area), A-agricultural rural land
Results and discussion
Plants are a vital part of the world’s biological
diversity and an essential resource for human well-
being. Besides the crop plants that provide our basic
food and fibres, many thousands of wild plants have
great economic and cultural importance, for vast
numbers of people throughout the world. The IUCN
and its commissions like Species survival
commission in accordance with various rules and
recommendations of Ramsar convention (1971) and
27
Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river , West Bengal Talukdar and Talukdar
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convention on Biological diversity (1992) adopted
the global strategy for plant conservation, including
functional ecosystem diversity in wetlands and
medicinal plants conservation (Leaman, 2006). In the
present study, as many as 84 plant species (80
angiosperms and four ferns) distributed in 70 genera
in 39 families has been identified and documented.
Among the flowering plants, 73 species belong to
dicots and seven species are monocots, indicating
dominance of dicotyledonous plants in the study area.
Among the 39 families, dicot plants belong to 28
families, while monocots represented by seven
families. Family Fabaceae contained highest number
of plant species, followed by family Poaceae,
Amaranthaceae, and rest of the families (Figure 2).
Maximum number (75 %) of plant was herbaceous,
and it was distantly followed by tree (20%), climber
(3%) and shrub (2%). Four fern taxa (Marsilea,
Salvinia, Ampelopteris and Ceratopteris) distributed
in four families were also documented in the present
study (Table 1).
Figure 2. Comparison of families with different number of
plant species; Fabaceae (A) contained highest (12) number
of plant taxa, followed by (B) Poaceae (6), (C)
Amaranthaceae (5), (D) Polygonaceae, Solanaceae,
Euphorbiaceae, Araceae-4 species each, (E)Asteraceae,
Moraceae, Convolvulaceae-3 species each, (F) Malvaceae,
Scrophulariaceae, Cyperaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae,
Pontederiaceae, Lamiaceae-2 species each. Others
represent rest of the families (18) with one species each.
Among the plant diversity parameters, plant
frequency (%), density and abundance varied greatly
in the study areas. Plant frequency ranged between
1% and 100% with maximum occurrence was
recorded for Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and
minimum for Fagopyrum esculentum Moench., both
members of monocot family Poaceae (Table 1). The
lowest density but high abundance of Fagopyrum
NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 2, June 2012, 26-32
suggested highly localized distribution of this
economically important plant, and needs urgent
conservation. Similarly, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.
has been used as a medicinal plant (diuretic,
astringent and used in hysteria, epilepsy, insanity,
chronic diarrhea, and dysentery) and auspicious by
both Santhal and Munda tribes in the study area.
Altogether the frequency (%) of 84 plants was
classified into five frequency classes (A-E), and
highest number of plant species was found in class C
(Frequency 41-60%) (Figure 3). The density was the
highest (5.0) in case of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.,
and it was closely followed by Colocasia esculenta
(L.) Schott (2.45), Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)
(2.22) and Oxalis corniculata (DC.) Raeusch. (2.15).
Lowest value (0.02) was obtained for Fagopyrum
esculentum Moench (Table 1). As total number of
plants increased, density of particular species
increased, and the reduction of plant number resulted
in lowering of density value. Results revealed that out
of 84 plants, 69% plants exhibited density in range of
0-1, 9% in 1-1.5, 14% in 1.5-2.0 and 8% plants in
values >2.0. Obviously, plant density value within
study area hovered low to moderate magnitude in the
study areas. Low density but high abundance of
plants as found in many plant species indicates their
distribution only in certain quadrats.
Figure 3. Distribution of plants species in the basin area
under five frequency classes; A: 0-20%, B: 21-40%, C: 41-
60%, D: 61-80%, and E: 81-100%, based on frequency
percentage at table 1.
The study revealed presence of rich heritage among
the people, using 39 plants as medicinal purposes for
treatment of different ailments. In several parts of
Asia, role of traditional knowledge in conservation of
biodiversity has been assessed (Pandey, 2002;
Antons, 2010).
28
Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river , West Bengal Talukdar and Talukdar
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Table 1. Number, frequency (F), density (D) and abundance (AB) of plants in square quadrat methods (1m × 1m =1 sq m for herbs, 10m
× 10m =100 sq m for shrub and trees), data pooled over 20 selected study sites and 20 quadrats/site (400 quadrats)
Sl No. Botanical name, used as, plant habit, Family Total number Number of F (%)= Frequency D= AB
of individuals quadrats in which b/400 × class1 (A-E) a/400 = a/b
of the species a particular 100 to which
(a) species occur (b) species
belongs
1 Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet, M, Herb, Malvaceae 530 390 97 E 1.32 1.35
2 Acalypha indica, Herb, Euphorbiaceae 398 300 75 D 0.99 1.32
3 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br.ex DC, M, Herb, 487 330 82 E 1.21 1.47
Amaranthaceae
4 * Achyranthes aspera L., M, Herb, Amaranthaceae 652 396 99 E 1.63 1.64
5 *Amaranthus viridis L.,M,Veg, Herb, Amaranthaceae 345 220 55 C 0.86 1.56
6 Amaranthus spinosus L., Herb, Amaranthaceae 800 340 85 E 2.00 2.35
7 Amaranthus tricolor L., Veg, Herb, Amaranthaceae 128 100 25 B 0.32 1.28
8 Amorphophallus campanulatus, Veg, Herb, 650 302 75 D 1.62 2.15
Araceae
9 * Ampelopteris prolifera (Retz.) Copel Veg, M, 532 285 71 D 1.33 1.86
Herb fern, Thelypteridaceae
10 *Azadirachta indica A. Juss., M, Fuel, religious, 96 80 20 A 0.24 1.20
insecticide, Tree, Meliaceae
11 Aeschynomene aspera L., commercial sola, Herb, 58 42 10 A 0.14 1.38
Fabaceae
12 *Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, M, veg, Herb, 280 200 50 C 0.70 1.40
Scrophulariaceae
13 Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd., pickles, 340 240 60 C 0.85 1.41
Fishing, shelter, Tree, Poaceae
14 Boerhaavia diffusa L., M, Herb, Nyctaginaceae 750 390 97 E 1.87 1.92
15 Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., flower in 20 8 2.0 A 0.05 2.50
religious way, Tree, Fabaceae
16 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, M, Shrub, 190 150 37 B 0.47 1.26
Asclepiadaceae
17 Cassia fistula L., M, Veg, Tree, Fabaceae 50 20 5.0 C 0.12 2.50
18 *Cassia sophera L., M, Herb, Fabaceae 550 350 87 E 1.37 1.57
19 Cassia tora L., Herb, Fabaceae 435 300 75 D 1.08 1.45
20 Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, M, Herb, Apiaceae 710 385 96 E 1.77 1.84
21 Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn M, Herb- 176 88 22 B 0.44 2.00
fern, Parkeriaceae
22 Chenopodium album L.,Veg, Herb, 658 290 72 D 1.64 2.26
Chenopodiaceae
23 Clitoria ternatea L, M, Climber, Fabaceae 160 120 30 B 0.40 1.33
24 *Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, M, Climber, 495 310 77 D 1.23 1.59
Cucurbitaceae
25 Coix lacryma-jobi L., M, Herb, Fishing, Poaceae 260 190 47 C 0.65 1.36
26 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, Veg, Herb, 980 395 98 E 2.45 2.48
Araceae
27 Commelina bengalensis L., Herb, Commelinaceae 470 270 67 D 1.17 1.74
28 Croton bonplandianum L.,M, Herb, Euphorbiaceae 790 398 99 E 1.97 1.98
29 Cyperus rotundus L., Herb, Cyperaceae 718 370 92 E 1.79 1.94
30 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., M, Herb, Poaceae 2000 400 100 E 5.00 5.00
31 Dentella repens (L.) Forst., Veg, Herb, Rubiaceae 277 323 80 D 0.69 0.85
Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) P.Beauv., fish feed,
32 compost etc., Herb, Poaceae 190 95 23 B 0.47 2.00
33 Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk., M, Herb, Asteraceae 267 231 57 C 0.67 1.15
34 Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.), Manure, Herb, 890 300 75 D 2.22 2.96
Pontederiaceae
35 Eleusine indica L., forage, Herb, Poaceae 220 200 50 C 0.55 1.10
36 Emblica officinalis Gaertn, M, Tree, Euphorbiaceae 33 28 7.0 A 0.08 1.17
37 Enhydra fluctuans Lour., M, compost, Herb, 458 347 86 E 1.14 1.31
Asteraceae
38 Evolvulus nummularius (L.) L. Herb, 390 328 82 E 0.97 1.18
Convolvulaceae
39 Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, coarse cereals, 10 4 1.0 A 0.02 2.50
Veg, Herb, Poaceae
40 Ficus hispida Linn.f., M, Veg, Tree, Moraceae 230 175 43 C 0.57 1.31
41 Ficus racemosa L., Veg, M, Tree, Moraceae 128 90 22 B 0.32 1.42
42 Fimbristylis bisumbellata (Forssk) Bub., Soil 110 70 17 A 0.27 1.57
binder, forage, Herb, Cyperaceae
43 Hedyotis scandens Roxb., M, Climber, Rubiaceae 150 80 20 A 0.37 1.87
44 Heliotropium indicum L., Herb, Boraginaceae 198 120 30 B 0.49 1.65
45 Hygrophila schulli (Buch. Ham) M.R. and S.M. 200 155 38 B 0.50 1.29
Almeida, M, Herb, Acanthaceae
46 Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.)Royle, fish food, Herb, 355 300 75 D 0.88 1.18
Hydrocharitaceae

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Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river , West Bengal Talukdar and Talukdar
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47 Ipomoea aquatica Forrsk.,M, Herb, Convolvulaceae 280 190 47 C 0.70 1.47

48 Ipomoea carnea Jacq. ssp.fistulosa (Mart. ex 337 238 59 C 0.84 1.41
choisy) D. Austin, Herb, Convolvulaceae
49 Lathyrus sativus L., Herb, pulse, forage, Fabaceae 312 290 72 D 0.78 1.07
50 Lemna acquinoctialis Welw. A.Pont, compost, 658 322 80 D 1.64 2.04
Herb, Lemnaceae
51 Limnophila indica (L.), M, Herb, Scrophulariaceae 180 100 25 B 0.45 1.80
52 Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees, Veg, Herb, 268 220 55 C 0.67 1.21
Lamiaceae
53 Mangifera indica L. Fruit tree, Anacardiaceae 278 222 55 C 0.69 1.25
54 Marsilea minuta L., Veg, Herb, Marsileaceae 280 90 22 B 0.70 3.11
55 Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms, M, compost, Herb, 338 168 42 C 0.84 2.01
Pontederiaceae
56 Mimosa pudica L., Herb, Fabaceae 190 176 44 C 0.47 1.07
57 Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f., Veg, M, Herb, 695 360 90 E 1.73 1.93
Nymphaeaceae
58 Ocimum basilicum L., M, Herb, Lamiaceae 376 300 75 D 0.94 1.25
59 Oxalis corniculata (DC.) Raeusch., M, Veg, Herb, 861 370 92 E 2.15 2.32
Oxalidaceae
60 Phyllanthus fraternus Webster,Herb, 677 280 70 D 1.69 2.41
Euphorbiaceae
61 Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene, Herb, Verbenaceae 333 280 70 D 0.83 1.18
62 Pistia stratiotes L., manure, Herb, Araceae 678 340 85 E 1.69 1.99
63 Polygonum barbatum L., M, Herb, Polygonaceae 290 230 57 C 0.72 1.26
64 Polygonum hydropiper L., M, Herb, Polygonaceae 230 196 49 C 0.57 1.17
65 Polygonum plebium R.Br.,Herb, Polygonaceae 157 96 24 B 0.39 1.63
66 Psidium guajava L., Fruit tree, Myrtaceae 270 240 60 C 0.67 1.12
67 Rauvolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth. ex Kurz., M, 87 27 6.0 A 0.21 3.22
Herb, Apocynaceae
68 Rumex dentatus Linn.ssp, fuel, Herb, Polygonaceae 208 165 41 C 0.52 1.26
69 Salvinia cuculata Roxb., manure, fern, Salviniaceae 160 86 21 B 0.40 1.86
70 Sida cordata (Burm. f.)Borssum Herb, Malvaceae 369 351 87 E 0.92 1.05
71 Sesbania grandiflora Pers., veg, Tree, Fabaceae 106 68 17 A 0.26 1.55
72 Solanum melongena L., M, Herb, Solanaceae 680 377 94 E 1.70 1.80
73 Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad & Wendl, Herb, 160 70 17 A 0.40 2.28
fuel, Solanaceae
74 Solanum torvum L., Shrub, fuel, Solanaceae 236 198 49 C 0.59 1.19
75 S. sisymbriifolium Lam., Herb, fuel, Solanaceae 119 89 22 B 0.29 1.33
76 Spilanthes oleracea L., Veg, Herb, Asteraceae 228 210 52 C 0.57 1.08
77 Streblus asper Lour., Tree, Moraceae 140 130 32 B 0.35 1.07
78 *Syzygium cumini (L.)Skeels, M, Fruit tree, 170 100 25 B 0.42 1.70
Myrtaceae
79 *Tamarindus indica L., M, tree, pickles, Fabaceae 90 58 14 A 0.22 1.55
80 Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers., M, Herb, Fabaceae 186 113 28 B 0.46 1.64
81 Trema orientralis (L.)Blume, fuel Tree, Ulmaceae 180 80 20 A 0.45 2.25
82 Typhonium trilobatum (Linn.) Schott., M, veg, 360 318 79 D 0.90 1.13
Herb, Araceae
83 Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek., Herb, pulse, Fabaceae 222 200 50 C 0.55 1.11
84 Zizyphus zuzuba Bore., fruit tree, Rhamnaceae 169 98 24 B 0.42 1.72
M-medicinal plants, Veg-used as vegetables, * used as anti-diabetic plants; 1 Frequency class-A: 0-20,B:21-40, C:41-60, D:61-80, and
E:81-100

In the present study, Santhals are the dominant tribe
in the study area, using maximum number (67) of
plants as indigenous health care system, and it was
followed by Munda tribe (29). Other tribes including
Oraon, Sabar and Lodha had negligible contribution
in ethno-medicinal uses of plants in the present study
areas. These medicinal plants are used to cure
different ailments such as diarrhoea and dysentery,
fever and bronchitis/respiratorytroubles/asthma,
constipation/ stomach-related problems, cough, cold
and sore throat, cut/wounds/burns, and in treating
other health problems. Remarkably, nine plants in the
study region have been identified in treating diabetic
patients (Table 1). Many of these plants along with
others are either cooked as vegetables and/or eaten as
raw. Plant parts used maximum for medicinal
purposes were leaves, followed by stem, root,
flowers, and the whole plant. Interestingly, two wild
legume types of Lathyrus sativus L (‘khesari’) and
[Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek-‘mung dal’] were found
extensively used by local people for preparation of
pulse meal, forage, ‘besan (seed flour)’ and green
manuring. Potentials of these two multipurpose
legume crops have been extensively utilized in recent
years to create new diverse types, enhance natural
products like flavonoids and in development of
different cytogenetic and genomic research tools
(Talukdar & Talukdar, 2003; Talukdar & Biswas,
2007, Talukdar, 2008, 2009a,b, 2010). Furthermore,
as locals say, that ‘khesari dal’ can tolerate water

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Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river , West Bengal Talukdar and Talukdar
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logging of late summer monsoon (September) in the
basin area, and has long growth duration overcoming
extreme heat till late March. This indigenous
information is in agreement with various scientific
reports regarding the remarkable tolerance of this
hardy legume crops to diverse types of abiotic stress
like water stress, salinity, and heavy metals (Vaz
patto et al., 2006; Talukdar 2011a,b). As legume
genetic diversity is an important constituent of plant
biodiversity, conservation and genetic analysis of
these two wild landraces are absolutely necessary,
and identification of highest number of plants under
family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) assumes significance
in this regard. Six prominent fruit trees namely
Mangifera indica, Emblica officinalis, Psidium
guajava, Zizyphus zuzuba, Syzygium cumini and
Tamarindus indica have been identified within the
quadrats laid around the old basin.
Present study revealed the contribution of this old
river basin as wetland resource to the fulfillment of
basic human needs. Results indicated that plant
species are used as fuel wood, herbal medicine,
edible, and also, in other activities like fishing,
forage, sheltering, religious festivals etc. Highest
utilization of plant resources was observed for
medicinal purposes, followed by edible vegetables,
raw fruits, fuel, fishing and other purposes (Figure 4).
Several local household products, prepared from seed
flour of ‘khesari’ and ‘mung dal’, namely ‘singara
(samosa type)’, ‘pakora’ ‘nimki’ and ‘kathi bhanja’
are found extensively sold by tribal womenfolk in
weekly village markets (hats) adjacent to basin,
helping them to earn enough money. Interestingly,
seeds of Fagopyrum esculentum or buck wheat have
been extensively used as coarse but nutritious cereal
supplement by indigenous Santhal tribes and non-
tribes (particularly Rajbonsis) in preparation of bread
and ‘besan (mixing with gram flour)’. A local
preparation of cereal-legume combination, known as
‘dal khichri’, containing buck wheat and ‘khesari’
and/or ‘mung dal’ was served during fever, cough
and cold, and to prevent extreme winter. However,
over-exploitation of resources led to disturbances on
the pattern of biodiversity, as evidenced by dwindling
population of several economically important plants
such as Azadirachta indica, Aeschynomene aspera
(shola), Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Emblica
officinalis, Fagopyrum esculentum, Rauvolfia
serpentina, and Tamarindus indica. Decreased
biodiversity due to habitat loss by diverse types of
anthropogenic activities around river basins was also
NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 2, June 2012, 26-32
reported in several parts of India (Rao et al., 2010),
China (Liu et al., 2009) and other countries (Chapin
et al., 2000).
Figure 4. Plant resource utilization by local communities,
use of plants as medicinal purposes shows highest trend.
Others include use as forage, and in cottage industries,
sheltering and religious purposes.
The present study revealed existence of rich floral
diversity in the old basin region of river Atreyee in
Balurghat block of Dakshin Dinajpur district, West
Bengal. The plant resources have been used as
diverse purposes by local tribal communities.
Identification of number of plants used by the
indigenous people in medicinal purposes and two
wild legume landraces are also significant. However,
it must be noted that low density in some of the
important plants particularly fruit trees is of great
concern. As the area is facing great challenges due to
increasing anthropogenic activities, an urgent
conservation measure needs to be undertaken to
preserve the biological diversity of the region. As the
preparation of biodiversity register in this district has
not in significant level, the outcome of the present
study, the first of this kind in this basin region, can be
used an easy and authentic document for
argumentations of existing knowledge in hitherto
unknown floras of Atreyee basin in North Bengal,
India.
Acknowledgements
Authors are grateful to local people residing in the
study area for the help they extended during the
investigation. Special thanks are also due to Prof.
Nirmalendu Talukdar, Balurghat for his guidance to
select study areas, conduct interactive session with
locals and to reveal historical perspective of river
Atreyee at Dakshin Dinajpur district.
31
Floral diversity and its indigenous use in old basin (Khari) of river , West Bengal Talukdar and Talukdar
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