A Model Classical Ecological Report on Vegetation Dynamics in Gorumara National Park in West Bengal, India

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ISSN: 2394 - 3726 Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 201 5, 2 (2): 1-14

A Model Classical Ecological report on Vegetation dynamics in Gorumara National Park in West Bengal, India

Debabrata Das 1, Barin Kumar Pramanik 1* and Shyam Kumar Mollay 2 1Assistant Professor, Darjeeling Govt. College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India 2Divisional Forest Officer, Silviculture (N), Siliguri, West Bengal, India *Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Community composition of a forest is unique because it constitutes the attributes of elemental

composition both by fixed species as well as by advent growth of off-springs. Seasonally, one site

having more species composition than other site. Although the distribution patterns of propagules are

not constant due to heterogeneity of species rather than heterogeneity there by. Here dynamics of vegetation fluctuating in different seasons i.e. higher in monsoon, moderately high in winter and less to least in summer. Flowering and fruiting trends are more or less abundant during post monsoon which tends to late winter though there a boundary of variations due to alterations of environment. This means that study sites having a good number of ecological indicators that boost the change in vegetation owing to its typical alarm either the change of weather or the change of attributes of community in the underground of forest floor which change the pattern and integrity of vegetation. So, the paper reflects the overall insight in conne ction with the dynamics of vegetation as a whole along with the ecological notes of community of species which need to assertion the scenario of strategy in near future. Hope that researchers woul d take the idea to study better from this study. Not only that they would prepare a better managerial gu ideline to make different subjective research in a true sense for community study.

Key words : Ecology-Community Composition-Dynamics of Vegetation-Gorumara-Management

INTRODUCTION Tropical forest ecosystems are one of the richest terrestrial ecosystems which support a variety of life forms which maintain huge global biodiversity [1]. Both structure and diversity of vegetation have strong functional role in controlling ecosystem processes like biomass production, cycling of water and nutrients [2]. A strong correlation also exists between structural diversity and species diversity [3]. Tropical dry deciduous forest constitutes about 38 percent of total forest area in India [4]. This is correct in a sense that these forests produce huge amount of renewable resource that are being utilized by global people. So, economically the forests are significant, as it is productive in a sense and reducing the pollutants of the atmosphere which could be the safeguard of our toxic materials that lead to death of organisms. Therefore, all the forests of the same kind are the most productive and variable in ecosystem processes in the globe. It broadcasts nutrient cycling, elemental pool, and fate of life of living organisms through predators and consumers as a whole. So, by and large all the biogeochemical processes run in a specific purpose to make the complete ecosystem thereby. As a whole, the compositions of forests are multi- dimensional i.e. from small organisms to large animals including producers in the said area. Block wise the composition constitutes fixed assets as live plant materials including animals and microorganisms. From phytosociological view point, these are trees, shrubs, herbs, lianas, ferns, bryophytes, epiphytes, orchids, parasites etc. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 1

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 These are the multi-dimensional composite elements in the versatile ecosystem. Till date no complete work have been made by researchers in the Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara area in North Bengal regarding species diversity and community composition study strictly for phytosociological analysis, because the site is restricted and under reserved forest. The park is situated in Northern West Bengal, India. The site is under the ‘Terai’ region of the Himalayan foot hills. It is a medium sized park with grass land and forest. The site is popular because it is a residential place of one horned Rhinoceros. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 and a national park in the year 1992. The park is located on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak and has vegetations of riverine grasslands along with savannah type woodlands. Forest is moist deciduous and dominant species is Sal including Lali and Dudhe lali . Other species available are Teak , Series , Simul and Khair . The park has recorded fauna which boosts 50 mammal species 300 bird species 20 reptile species and 30 species of amphibia. Both venomous and non- venomous snakes are common in the natural habitat of Gorumara including Indian python. Some birds which include brilliant sub-montane forest type are also visible. These are Asian paradise fly catcher, drongo and great Indian hornbill. As the park is a national park, its amazing beauty attracts people over the globe. Not only that a large number of medicinal plants of threatened category are also available here which is the main attraction for the researchers in the said national park. In Bengali, the park is called “Gorumara Jatio Uddan”. So remembering the theme, the present work has been taken into account on the basis of MPCA area study funded by National Medicinal Plant Board. The versatile works have been done following the same work made by author [5] in the lateritic forests of Southwest Bengal. The scattered publication of similar kind made by authors from site to site in connection with the conservation of forests from other areas of West Bengal. The publications made by them are ecosystem based in the forest area which broadcast conservation and same status regarding the importance and fate of health of the ecosystem [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12]. All have made their works for the conservation of species and to conserve the nation through sustainable development of resource which aims a plea from ethical concern and with the conformity of aspects including pattern, structure of resource management. As a whole, not globally but spatially need to study the allocated sites and their concerned floral and faunal elements for the indigenous management in conformity with proper verification of scientific means. Therefore, the present study is required which aims the status of all species and their traits in connection with the management in the same habitat. This means that it would help community to manage the forest resources in a meaningful way. By and large all are basically local need based and after that coincide with others nationally or globally. As per this record the present studies have been taken and study in the reserved forests of North Bengal which having ethnicity and their modern base line of integrity through proper management. AREA UNDER STUDY The study area was the Lataguri Range (Gorumara) of Bichabhanga-1 of Jalpaiguri Forest Division under the jurisdiction of working circle Biodiversity Conservation. The study included within the 200 Ha forest area represented as medicinal plant conservation area (MPCA). The position of the site was in between latitude 26 o 43´ 71.13´´ N and 88 o 46´ 55.54´´ E longitude (Map 1). The administrative district in which it is situated is Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. The stations taken for the study were selected randomly using EXEL programme and marked as stations A (26 o 45´ 29.4´´ N and 88 o 47´ 9.7´´ E), B (26 o 43´ 32.8´´ N and 88 o 46´ 49.6 ´´ E), C (26 o 43´ 41.4´´ N and 88 o 47´ 12.8 E´´), D (26 o 42´ 54.9´´ N and 88 o 46´ 38.8´´ E), and E (26 o 43´ 14.9´´ N and 88 o 47´ 42.5´´ E). The total area under study was 200 Ha while we have selected 5% area for the study area which was thoroughly studied for checklist preparation. The overall area was taken for consideration on the basis of point through which big transacts was drawn. The transact was drawn against each station and then the area was marked as quadrats for the study of plant species in the quadrats following some principles in Ecology and standardized with the help of Species area curve method. So, the total area covered for the study was within the MPCA area specified, but for complete ecological study, nursery of forest department and some local gardens of common people were taken as per the method of the study included in ecosystem restoration process. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 2

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 Map 1. Study Area Under Gorumara National Park

As per the map, study area have been demarcated as number 1, 13, 26, 37, 49 for stations A, B, C, D and E respectively. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The study includes the following objectives - 1. To identify the species under different eco-climatic conditions in the forest blocks of Lataguri area of Gorumara National Park. 2. To identify the status of new recruits underneath the vegetation cover. 3. Study of ecological status of wild flora i.e relatively frequency, density and abundance of species. 4. Study of biodiversity indices for plants as well as their interactions in the specific area of the same zone. 5. Study of different indigenous measures of conservation of plant species. 6. Study of scientific management of medicinal plant species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SELECTION OF STUDY AREA Sites were selected in 5 different regions in each Forest Compartment or Block and therefore for taking replica in total 10 sites were selected randomly in and around 200 Hac. Area specified as per the guideline of the MPCA Project in Bichabhanga 1 of Jalpaiguri forest Division, West Bengal. Topographically the sites were more or less 392 ft MSL. as reserved forest. Five quadrats in each study site were laid down and studied 25 quadrats for phytosociologal analysis. In each study site quadrats were (20 m X 20 m plots for trees and 5m X 5m plots for shrubs, 1m x 1m) critically studied and data for each kind was recorded with kin observations by teachers, students and scholars along with foresters and forest officials genuinely. With the help of local people local names and common use along with medicinal values of ethnic kinds was recorded site wise. During monitoring vegetation, presence of wild fauna and some big animals, birds was recorded to study the interaction Later on. PERIODICITY OF FIELD STUDY Studies were conducted in two different seasons in a year for two study sites. In this particular region three seasons namely monsoon (June-September), winter (October-January) and summer (February-May) were well perceived. So, study will be made three times in a year as per the standard method in the ecology of plants. To know the seasonal impact on different ecological parameters data was collected during two seasons i.e. monsoon and post monsoon before coming winter. ECOLOGICAL STUDIES Vegetation in a community is a dynamic biological system consisting of a number of plant and animal species. Vegetation at a particular site is the result of interaction of various climatic and biotic (faunal also) as well as edaphic (soil) factors. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 3

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 During the course of succession, many tree species compete with each other to establish their hold on the vacant niches. Consequently, some tree species occupy the top position and become dominant in the community and others are either contented with their lower phyto-sociological status or eliminated from the system. So, as a whole there are some factors that govern the complete process, through which flora and fauna of wild species sit together and also possess their special interactions through co-existence. So, for the study of constrains and dynamics parallel data was collected from nearby forest as check list of species directly and indirectly with the help of local people. SYNTHETIC CHARACTERS The vegetation survey and faunal survey will be made in the sites selected by laying quadrats as random. Vegetation data of the above mentioned two stations situated under two forest range namely Lataguri Jalpaiguri Division and NRVK under BTR-W Division. In open tract the vegetation study was made by belt transect on three exposures i.e. margin (nearer to road), center and deeper part the forest, according to the principles of “landscape” approach as followed by Whittaker [13]. The size of the quadrats was prepared and fixed by method of “species area curve” [14]. The numbers of quadrats required was determined by plotting the number of species against the number of quadrats. The quadrats analyses were made by following Dombois and Ellenberg [15]. Quadrats of 1m x 1m, 5m x 5m and 20m x 20 m for herbs, shrubs and trees were laid out at random for study of vegetation of all kinds. Five specific quadrats at each study site for each type or exposure of the selected localities were marked by paint (yellow color paint) through the help of pole where the poles were natural kind. Peripheral areas were demarcated by white colored paint by tracing double circle through the girth at breast height (GBH) of trees. Girth of each tree species in the quadrat was recorded by red paint by using brush. In each quadrat, the following characters were taken for calculation of result: I. Abundance of each species (for the calculation of density). II. Basal cover of species taken by measuring girth of a tree (> 10 cm girth) at breast height i.e. at 1.37 meter (4 / 6// ) is individually measured for all the species. III. Data on Non Timber Forest Produce species following Economic Botany Data Collection standard [16]. IV. Advant growth and new recruits were recorded using Slide callipers and measuring tape along with the foot rule. V. Photographs were taken and local names also recorded by the help of forest guards and local people.

Similarly, for shrubs 25 quadrats (4 at the 4 corners and one at the centre of each tree quadrat) of 25 square meters each and for herbs (5 quadrats in each tree quadrat) 1 square meter area for each were made. Plant species encountered in each quadrat was listed out and identified on the basis of floristic studies of regional vegetation made by Prain [17, 18]; Mabberley [19] and the names was cross- checked with the help of Bennet [20]. To know the importance of plant species help from internet was also taken. In each quadrat the following special character was recorded- 1. In case of herbs, above ground biomass was estimated by destructive method for calculation of abundance (dominance) of a species. Frequency density and abundance values were calculated for each species. The importance value index (IVI), an integrated measure of relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance was calculated following Curtis [21].

DIVERSITY INDEX Diversity index (H) of each sample stand was calculated as per Shannon and Wiener [22]. ( H ) = - ∑ [ (ni / N). Ln (ni / N) ] , Where ‘ni’ is the IVI of individual species and N is the total IVI of all the species. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 4

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 DOMINANCE CONCENTRATION Concentration of Dominance (Cd) of each stand was calculated following the formula given below by Simpson [23]. 2 Cd = ∑ (ni / N) , where ‘ni’ is the IVI of individual species and ‘N’ is the total IVI of all the species. EVENNESS INDEX Evenness Index (e) was calculated according to Pielou [24]. (e) = H / log S Where, H = Shannon index and S = Number of species. SPECIES RICHNESS INDEX Species Richness index (d) was calculated according to Margalef [25]. (d)=S-1 / log N. Where, S= Number of species, N = Importance Value and d= Species richness.

SIMILARITY INDEX To avoid individual variation the degree of similarity is expressed mathematically on the basis of any quantitative character (Number of species in the present case). The indices of similarity of community coefficient (IS) between any two sample sites or communities were made by the formula of Sorensen [26] as described by Muller-Dombois and Ellenberg [15]. IS = (2C/A+B) X 100 Where, A= Number of species in one stand / Community. B= Number of species in another stand / Community and C= Number of species common to both the communities. Similarly, other literature studied for the identification and for the study of medicinal plants for lateritic area books published time to from BSI, CGO complex, Govt. Of India and Forest Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal in different series [27, 28, 29]. For limitation of study only the shrubby and tree species have been taken for consideration for publication though the list is long for herbs is in our custody.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION The forest is more or less homogenous in composition with admixed type which followed the vegetation types of duras i.e. Khair-Sissoo to Eastern Himalayan Sub-tropical Wet Hill forests. The common plant species found here are Mayna or Chundal ( Tetrameles nudiflora R.Br.), Odal ( Sterculia villosa Roxb.), Malata ( Macaranga spp.), Pakasaj ( Terminalia alata Heyne ex Roth., Akhatarua /Akhataru ( Sapium baccatum Roxb.), Bahera ( Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.), Bhadrasi ( Elaeocarpus lanceaefolium Roxb.), Chalta ( Dillenia indica L.), Dhabdhabe ( Garuga pinnata Roxb.), Gante ( Gynocardia odorata Roxb.), Gokul ( Ailanthus grandis Prain.), Chilouni ( Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth.), Kainjal ( Bischofia javanica Blume), Katus ( Castanopsis hystrix A. DC.), Kumbhi ( Careya arborea Roxb.), Lali or Dudhe Lali ( Amoora spectabilis Miq.), Lasune Lali ( Amoora walichii King), Lampate ( Duabanga sonneratioides Ham.), Panisaj ( Terminalia myriocarpa Van Heurck & Muell.-Arg. ), Pitali or Pithali ( Trewia nudiflora L.), Sal ( Shorea robusta Gaertn.f.), Sidha ( Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb. ), Simul ( Bombax ceiba L.), Siris ( Albizia lebbeck (L.) Willd. ), Tartari ( Dillenia pentagyna Roxb.), Toon ( Toona ciliata M. Roem.), Dudhi or Indrajab ( Wrightia tomentosa Roem. & Schult.), Indrajao or Kurchi ( Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.) Wall. ex G. Don.), Khir-Taru/Indrajab ( Wrightia tomentosa Roem. & Schult.), Sindure (Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.-Arg.), Mandane ( Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Wight & Arn.), Chhatim (Alstonia scholaris ), Goyelo ( Callicarpa arborea ), Ghurpis ( Leucosceptrum cannum ), Bhutia Kaola (Machilus villosus (Roxb.) Hkf.), and Seal furse ( Grewia vestita Wall. Other species which are rare in occurrence are Ram Tejpata ( Cinnamomum bejoghata ), Kanchan ( Bauhinia sp.), Phalat ( Quercus spp.), Dhouli ( Premna spp.), Ramsantra ( Cephalanthus occidentalis ), Hukushe ( Pterygota alata (Roxb.) R. Br.), Parari ( Stereospermum colais L.), Kaola ( Persea fructifera Kosterm), and Amlaki ( Phyllanthus emblica L.). Medicinal plant of commercial importance is Chalmugraor Gante ( Gynocardia odorata R. Br.) which one is rare in occurrence. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 5

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 The composition of Lataguri forest area provided with species like Alstonia scholaris , Amoora spectabilis Miq., Bischofia javanica Blume, Callicarpa arborea Roxb., Cephalanthus occidentalis L., Elaeocarpus lanceaefolium Roxb., Garuga pinnata Roxb., Lagerstroemia prviflora Roxb., Machilus villosus (Roxb.) Hkf., Tetrameles nudiflora R.Br. and Wrightia tomentosa Roem. & Schult. The only one species Tetrameles nudiflora (Mayna or Chundal) is bigger one which posses girth of trunk up to 9.5 mt. and attaining height of about 35 mt. in the dense part of the forest. The margin of the forest showed smaller plant of Mayna which is going to meet the height of nearby tree like Lagerstroemia sp. or Terminalia sp. (Table 1). Highest frequency and density was observed in case of Ammora spectabilis , where as highest dominance was observed in case of Tetrameles nudiflora (50) followed by Ammora spectabilis (30). Highest Importance Value Index (IVI) was observed in case of Tetrameles nudiflora (52.5) and Amoora spectabilis (52.5). The composition is heterogeneous though canopy cover is merely two storied. Thus, there is a high degree of possibility to reach the sunlight at the ground. Therefore, the composition of shrubby layer followed by herbaceous layer is more or less diverse which become productive round the year. Table 1: Frequency, Density and abundance of Tree species in MPCA of Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal S.No. Name Frequency Density Dominance IVI True IVI 1. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. 10 10 10 30 22.5 2. Amoora spectabilis Miq. 20 20 20 60 45.0 3. Bischofia javanica Blume 10 10 10 30 22.5 4. Callicarpa arborea Roxb. 10 10 10 30 22.5 5. Garuga pinnata Roxb. 10 10 20 40 30.0 6. Gynocardia odorata Roxb. 10 10 10 30 22.5 7. Machilus villosus (Roxb.) Hkf. 10 10 10 30 22.5 8. Michelia champaca L. 10 10 20 40 30.0 9. Tetrameles nudiflora R.Br. 10 10 50 70 52.5 10. Wrightia tomentosa Roem. & Schult. 10 10 20 40 30.0 Total: 400 300

The forest is homogenous with admixed type of floral elements. Here most of the shrubby species found as climbers though some are moderately tree species found as shrubs due to middle aged stage. Other species found here are woody climbers. These are more or less 20 – 25 mt. tall. These are globally called African Dream or Snuff Box Sea Bean, Cacoon Vine ( Entada rheedii Spreng.), Rubi Lahara (Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch.), Sal Lahara ( Spatholobus parviflora (Roxb.) Kuntze), Velvet bean ( Mukuna pruriens (L.) DC.), Dudhe Lahara ( Trachelospermum lucidum (D. Don.) Schum), Hatu Bhanga ( Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr.), Charchare Lahara ( Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.) Planch. etc. (Table 2). Other abundant species available in the jungle are Jungli coffe ( Coffea benghalensis Roxb. ex Schult.), Bhtbhairabi (Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robin.), Bhat ( Clerodendrum coleobrookianum Walp.), Togor ( Tabermontana divaricata (L.) E. Br., Bangla Ghari ( Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb. ), and Dhairo ( Woodfordia fruticosa Kurtz.). Community composition of the forest showed the homogenous frequency of species of shrubs. Here highest density was observed in case of Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.) Planch. (16.25), followed by Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. (12.5), where as lowest density was observed in case of Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.(5). Here highest dominance was observed in case of Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. (31.92), followed by Trachelospermum lucidum (D. Don.) Schum (10.22), where as lowest dominance of shrubby species was observed in case of three species like Mikania micrantah Kunth. (1.0), Vitis pedata (Lam.) Wall. ex Wight (1.0) and Vitis trifolia Roxb. (1.0). The highest Importance Value Index (IVI) of shrubby species was observed in the same forest with IVI value 54.42 in case of Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch., followed by Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.) Planch. (IVI=51.25), and the lowest IVI value of shrubby species was observed in case of Vitis pedata (Lam.) Wall. ex Wight (12.0). Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 6

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 The species like, Abelmoscus moschatus (L.) Medic., which is called,”latakasturi” was important medicinal plant available in the forest and is being utilized by the local people. They used broadly the species to gain seeds by cultivation in their agricultural field to develop economy. Most of the NGOs are engaged to develop the trade and transport of the species. The Importance Value Index of the same medicinal plant Abelmoscus moschatus (L.) Medic. was observed 27.2. It may be regarded as potent plant for economic development. Other species of medicinal importance are Smilax wightii DC., and Smilax ovalifolia Roxb. Plants used to prepare natural dye available there is Mallotus phillippensis Muel.-Arg.

Table 2: Frequency, Density and abundance of Shrubby species in MPCA of Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal S.No. Name Frequency Density Dominance IVI Reduced IVI 1. Abelmoscus moschatus (L.) Medic. 10 15 2.2 27.2 25.79 2. Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. 10 12.5 31.92 54.42 51.60 3. Entada rheedii Spreng. 10 6.25 9.38 25.63 24.30 4. Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. 10 5 1.8 16.8 15.92 5. Mikania micrantah Kunth. 10 20 1.1 31.1 29.48 6. Mukuna pruriens (L.) DC. 10 6.25 1.34 17.59 16.67 7. Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.) 10 48.59 Planch. 16.25 25 51.25 8. Spatholobus parviflora (Roxb.) Kuntze 10 6.25 1.33 17.58 16.66 9. Stephania glabra (Roxb.)Miers 10 2.5 9.6 22.1 20.95 10. Trachelospermum lucidum (D. Don.) 10 25.09 Schum 6.25 10.22 26.47 11. Vitis pedata (Lam.) Wall. ex Wight 10 1.0 1.0 12.0 11.37 12. Vitis trifolia Roxb. 10 1.25 1.0 12.25 11.61 Total: 120 98.5 95.89 316.39 300

The highest Importance Value Index (IVI) of herbaceous species was observed in case of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. with IVI value 26.59 followed by Urena lobata L. (IVI=17.61). The lowest IVI value of shrubby species was observed in case of Commelina erecta L. (IVI=3.5). Other species of medicinal importance are Globba ophioglosa (IVI=9.86), and Solanum ferox L. (IVI=5.80). Here all the species available were medicinal but as a whole are not economically viable because all having no commercial importance in the said market (Table 3). Data revealed that diversity of trees is least in comparison to herbs or shrubs, whereas species richness index of shrubs is higher than trees. It showed that species richness index of herbs is higher than shrubs (Bargraph 1).

Table 3: Frequency, Density and abundance of herbs in MPCA of Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal S.No. Name Frequency Density Dominance IVI 1. Achyranthes bidentata Bl. 2.94 3.9 4.56 11.43 2. Agastache anethiodorum (Nutt.) Brid. 5.88 1.9 0.94 8.72 3. Ageratum conyzoides L. 2.94 1.9 0.65 5.49 4. Commelina erecta L. 1.5 1.0 1.0 3.5 5. Commelina paludosa Blume. 1.5 1.0 2.0 4.5 6. Coutleya spicata (J.M. Sm.) Bak. 2.94 5.7 0.65 9.29 7. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. 2.94 11.4 12.25 26.59 8. Cyperus alternifolius L. 2.94 1.9 1.07 5.91 8. Cyperus nutans Vahl. 5.88 3.8 0.88 10.56 9. Drymeria cordata (L.) Willd.ex R.&S. 9.40 1.9 4.70 16.00 10. Dryneria quercifolia (L.) Sm. 2.35 1.9 11.27 15.52 11. Elatostemma sessile J.R. Forst. 7.05 1.9 5.88 14.83 12. Euphorbia hirta L. 4.94 3.8 5.99 14.73 13. Globba ophioglosa Wight. 3.24 5.7 0.92 9.86 14. Hedyotis scandens Roxb. 5.41 1.9 3.13 10.44 15. Piper peepuloides Roxb. 3.53 5.7 2.88 12.11 16. Polygonum capitatum Buc.-Ham. Ex Don. 1.50 5.7 1.76 8.96 Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 7

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 17. Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. 1.0 2.0 1.0 4.0 18. Pouzolzia hirta Hassk (Blume) Hassk 2.26 1.9 5.65 9.81 19. Ruellia prostrata Poir. 2.93 1.9 1.09 5.92 19. Rungia parviflora Nees. 3.86 1.9 3.10 8.86 20. Selaginella bryopteris (L.)Bak. 3.35 9.5 2.77 15.62 21. Sida acuta Burm. 2.66 1.9 2.44 7.00 22. Solanum ferox L. 1.51 1.7 2.59 5.80 23. Sonchus oleraceous L. 1.96 3.8 1.37 7.13 24. Sphenomeris chinensis (L.) Maxon. 1.70 1.9 2.29 5.89 25. Spilathes calva DC. 2.46 5.7 2.20 10.36 26. Urena lobata L. 2.51 1.9 4.80 9.21 27. Urtica dioica L. 5.97 1.9 9.74 17.61 Total: 99.05 97 99.70 295.75

Table 4: Indices of tree species at Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal S. No. INDICES FOR PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF TREE SPECIES INDEX VALUE 1. Diversity Index (H) 0.97 2. Dominance Index(cd) 1.11 3. Evenness Index (e) 0.97 4. Species Richness Index ( d) 3.64

Diversity Index (H) = 0.97, Dominance Index (cd) = 1.11, Evenness Index (e)= H/LogS=0.97, Species Richness Index ( d) =(S-1)/Log N=3.64

Table 5: Indices of shrubby species at Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal

S. No. INDICES FOR PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF SHRUBBY SPECIES INDEX VALUE 1. Diversity Index (H) 1.02 2. Dominance Index(cd) 0.10 3. Evenness Index (e) 0.98 4. Species Richness Index ( d) 4.45

Diversity Index (H) =1.02, Dominance Index (cd) =0.10, Evenness Index (e)= H/LogS=0.98, Species Richness Index ( d) =(S-1)/Log N=4.45

Table 6: Indices of herbs at Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal S. No. INDICES FOR PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF HERBACEOUS SPECIES INDEX VALUE 1. Diversity Index (H) 1.40 2. Dominance Index(cd) 0.04 3. Evenness Index (e) 0.97 4. Species Richness Index ( d) 10.52

Diversity Index (H) = 1.40, Dominance Index (cd) = 0.04, Evenness Index (e)= H/LogS=0.97, Species Richness Index ( d) =(S-1)/Log N=10.52.

Table 7: Comparative study of Indices of Trees, shrubs and herbs at Lataguri Forest Range of Gorumara, West Bengal Tree Shrubs Herbs Diversity Index (H) 0.97 1.02 1.40 Dominance Index (cd) 1.11 0.10 0.04 Evenness Index (e) 0.97 0.98 0.97 Species Richness Index ( d) 3.64 4.45 10.52

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 Graph-1. Different types of plant species at Lataguri of Gorumara National Park Percentage of Plant Species at Lataguri During Late Summer

Tree 20%

Herbs Shrubs 55% 25%

Graph-2. Representation of different Indices to access the quality of Vegetation at Lataguri of Gorumara National Park 12

6 Tree 4 Shrubs

2 Herbs

0 Diversity Index Dominance Evenness Index Species Richness (H) Index (cd) (e) Index ( d)

Graph-3. Conservation Status against species available in Lataguri of Gorumara National Park

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 PHOTOGRAPHS (Figure 1-6)

Fig 1. Forest floor showing luxuriant vegetation cover after monsoon. Fig 2. Outer periphery demarcated by double white ring for study of vegetation dynamics under MPCA study

Figure 3. Abijal-Drymeria cordata (L.) Willd. ex R. & S. - an important medicinal plant of forest in Gorumara forest., Figure 4. Women in rest after taking litter collected from forest

Figure 5. Schima walichii (DC.) Korth. - (Chilouni), Figure 6. Rauvolfia serpentine (L.) Benth. ex Kurz. (Sarpagandha)-Medicinal Plants

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726

Figure 7. Author discussing with Range Officer at lataguri, Silviculture regarding prospects and fate of earlier MPCA study., Figure 8. Nurturing Latore ( Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb.) in departmental Nursery at Lataguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

CONCLUSION The Paper reflects the phytosociological characters of vegetation of Lataguri area in Jalpaiguri forest Division at Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal. Here, Diversity Index (H) value of tree species at Bichabhanga 1 (Lataguri Forest Range) of Gorumara National Park was found as 0.97, whereas dominance Index (cd) of tree species was observed as value 1.11, Evenness Index (e) and Species Richness Index (d) of tree species were observed as 0.97 and 3.64 respectively (Table-4).. The shrubby vegetation is somehow different which exhibits old stock of vegetation as a whole in the same forest. Here Diversity Index (H) value was found as 1.02, Dominance Index (cd) value was 0.10 and Evenness Index (e) value was 0.98 for shrubs. Species Richness Index (d) of shrubs of the same site was 4.45 (Table-5). Herbaceous vegetation exhibits heterogeneous distribution from place to place and from micro- site to micro-site which vary with the alterations of seasons. Here cumulative compositions of herbs from all the traverse line along the same line of all quadrats have been made after critical analysis. Data revealed that in case of herbs the Diversity Index (H) was 1.40, Dominance Index (cd) was 0.04, Evenness Index (e) was 0.97, and Species Richness Index ( d) was 10.52 for the same site (Table-6). Here species richness of herbs is highest in comparison to species richness of shrubs and trees (Graph-2). Diversity index of herbs is more than shrubs than trees (Table-7). Here association of community type observed there was Tetrameles nudiflora R.Br.- Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch.-Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Cyperaceous species observe in the same site were Cyperus nutans Vahl. (IVI=10.56), Cyperus alternifolius L. (5.91). The only one important medicinal plants of commercial kind found in the forest was species like Abelmoscus moschatus (L.) Medic (25.79). The forest boosts luxuriant growth of mosses, ferns and orchids of special type (ground). Here beautiful Osbeckia stellata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don. bloom flowers with variant colours. Management of the forest is more or less good because ground vegetation is rich in composition that suit to develop the undergrowth tree seedling to make the forest natural one. Seasonal study of more sites for MPCA research is needful to analyze the comprehensive data to establish the community composition of the floral elements in near future. Felling of unwanted type including looping must be stopped in the restricted site. Collection of Orchids, ferns, medicinal plants and mushrooms including other Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFPs) should be checked through rigorous monitoring of vegetation departmentally or/and including Forest Protection Committees or/and Eco Development Committees. Need to check forest fire and illegal collection of wood and logs must be copped. Training for the local people and forest workers including students and teachers /scientists should be involved for better management of resource and conservation of nature and natural resources. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 11

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 Seminar, poster presentation and symposia should be regularly organised by Department including help taken from Non Government Organizations (NGOs). Government should take initiatives to develop modern Nursery, Ethnobotany Gardens, Spice Gardens, Arboretum, Orchidarum, Bambusetum, museum, Herbaria in the same area for extension intervention thereby.

STATUS OF PLANTS IN GORUMARA NATIONAL FOREST MPCA OF WEST BENGAL As per the check list of species available in the said area following are the plant species which are ecologically significant with proper status against each species. The names in first brackets indicate local name and third brackets indicate conservation status of each species. These are : Ampelocissus barbata (Wall.) Planch.-(Mikrumarik) of Vitaceae [EN], Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Malkagni) of Celastraceae [EN], Cinnamomum bejolghota (Buch.-Ham.) Sweet- (Ramtejpata) of Lauraceae [VU], Dillenia indica L. (Chalta) of Dilleniaceae [AB], Desmodium motorium (Houtt.) Merr.- (Ban chandal) of Fabaceae [VU], Gynocardia odorata Roxb. (Chalmogra) of Flacourtiaceae [EN], Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. (Gurmar) of Asclepiadaceae [VU], Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook. -(Ekbir) of Helminthostachyaceae [EN], Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Rob.- (Sil-Timbur) of Lauraceae [LC], Lycopodium cernuum L. (Nagbeli) of Lycopodiaceae [EN], Ophioglossum reticulatum L. (Ektir) of Ophioglossaceae [EN], Pericampylus glaucus (Lamk.) Merr. (Pipal Pati) of Menispermaceae [VU], Persea glaucescens (Nees) D G Long/ Machilus glaucescens (Nees) Wight. -(Kawla) of Lauraceae [CR], Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz. -(Sarpagandha) of Apocynaceae [EN], Stereospermum colais Mab. -(Padri) of Bignoniaceae [VU], Solanum ferox L. (Gote begun) of Solanaceae [AB], Solanum khasianum C.B. Cclarke (Tite begun) of Solanaceae [AB], Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.) Wall. ex DC. (Kurchi) of Apocynaceae [AB], Elephantopus scaber L. (Hatikan) of Asteraceae [AB]. This is the conservation status of some species available scattered and distally located in the said forest area (Graph-3). Note: NT-Near threatened, EN-Endangered, VU-Vulnerable, LC-Least Concern, CR-Critically endangered, AB-Abundant. Finding Remarks The work concluded representation of species richness, diversity and dominance including importance value Index (IVI) of the vegetation at Lataguri of Gorumar Forest area in Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. Vegetation was analysed in the Bichabhanga-1 Block of Lataguri Forest Range area, West Bengal which reflects community structure of species. Transect wise quadrats were drawn randomly at study sites following composition of community which represents trees, shrubs and herbs. EXCEL was used to calculate richness, diversity, dominance and equitability of the species grouped in the area. Result revealed that available species in the quadrats for first time survey was 10, 12 and 27 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively (Graph-1). Here association of community type observed was Tetrameles nudiflora R.Br.-Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch.-Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Cyperaceous species observe in the same study site were Cyperus nutans Vahl. (IVI=10.56), Cyperus alternifolius L. (5.91). The only one important medicinal plants of commercial kind found in the forest was Abelmoscus moschatus (L.) Medic., which may be used in the agricultural land to develop local economy. Management of the forest is more or less good because ground vegetation is rich in composition that suit to develop the undergrowth of tree seedling to make the forest natural one. The study revealed that the composition which are distinctly persistent kind due to moist climate which is influenced by a large number of irrigation channels. Seasonal study of more sites for MPCA research is needful to analyze the comprehensive data to establish the community composition of the floral elements in near future. It also includes study of carbon and available nutrients of soil including NPK. The study suggested to the followers for the study of new recruits which are the successive followers of the vegetation. Hope that in near future the study sites may be a good regeneration stock for which proper management could be applied by the forest department to develop the health of the forest elements. Not only that continuous monitoring and proper intervention should need from members, forest protection committee as well as eco-development committee. Copyright © 2015; IJPBR 12

Pramanik, B.K. et al Int. J. Phar. & Biomedi. Rese. 2015, 2 (2): 1-14 ISSN: 2394 – 3726 Acknowledgements We convey our thanks and gratitude to all forest fringe people. Thanks are due to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests, Divisional Forest Officers, Range officers, Beat officers, other forest officials, and forest guards under West Bengal Forest Directorate, for their endless help from different corners to make it a grand success. We convey our thanks to the Principal, Darjeeling Govt. College and higher authorities of Higher Education Department and Higher Education Directorate for necessary co-operation. As the work is going on so, we need more help from more people of the same field who are nearer to forests of Gorumara National Park. Thanks are also to the authorities CNH, BSI; Library section, Vidyasagar University, North Bengal University, Presidency University, Darjeeling Govt. College, Burdwan Raj College, IIEST, Shibpore for help as and when required. For financial assistance authority National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi is well acknowledged. Last but not least thanks are to the local people, teachers and students of Local Schools, Darjeeling Govt. College, Burdwan Raj College, Presidency University, Ramananda College, RMSoEE, Kharagpur, IIT., Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpore who helped us through their teachers and scholars to generate the result from field in a sequential way. Students of Darjeeling Govt. College and Burdwan Raj College are well acknowledged.

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