INTRODUCTION
With a host of diverse biodiversity concentrating within just 20.98 sq.km of area, the sanctuary portrays an acute picture of ecological imbalance which needs immediate restoration, perfectly exhibiting to be developed as an Eco- Tourist spot. Besides, the sanctuary is a tropical moist deciduous dipterocarp forest and accordingly they form three storey of canopy bearing the characteristics of Rain Forest. Moreover, it is a man raised Sanctuary which consist of settlements in fragmentation, dividing it into five compartments. Bearing a unique character, it urges for extension owing to shortage of food and space, and proper maintenance including its development, so that it could serve as Eco-Tourist spot. So, an attempt has been made to assess the importance of the sanctuary and accordingly suggest some initiatives for the development of the sanctuary which would ultimately flourish its eco- tourism prospect.
1.1 The study area
Gibbon Wild Life Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in India to be named after a non-human primate- the Hoolock Gibbon (Hylobates Hoolock). It is located at the close proximity of the Naga Hills, in the Jorhat district, in the Toposheet No. 83 J/6
extending from 26° 40′ N to 26° 45′ N latitude and
94° 20′E to 94° 25′ E longitude, covering an area of
20.98 sq. km and is topographically characterized by an almost level land with an average contour height of 90 meters from MSL, with the average annual rainfall of 249 cm. During the British period in 1881, Gibbon Wild life Sanctuary was known as Hollongapar Forest, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the group of Assam notification no. FRS/37/97/13 dated 30/7/1997, which was further renamed as Hollongapar Gibbon Wild life Sanctuary on 25th May 2004. It has also been recently declared as Important Bird Area where along with endemic varieties, migratory birds rush into in large number particularly during the late summer and winter period. Topographically the surface of the sanctuary is gently sloping down from southeast to northwest, which essentially exhibit a very smooth and continuous interaction of down slope and high slope ecosystem within the sanctuary. This sanctuary is approximately 17km and 5km far away from Jorhat and Mariani town respectively. Bearing a host of biodiversity within limited space it has the scope for developing as an Eco- tourist destination.
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OBJECTIVES
The principal objectives of this study are:
To evaluate the importance of the Sanctuary.
To suggest initiatives to eliminate the constraint
within the Sanctuary so as to develop it as an Eco-
Tourist Spot considering the sustainability base.
DATABASE AND METHODOLOGY
The study is primarily based on data collected from primary observation conducted in the Sanctuary, Annual Report of Holongapar Nature’s Society, Department of Forest and Journals and Brochures published from time to time. The present shape, size and area are delineated on the map developed from Toposheet no 83J/6 with a scale of 1:50,000. The thematic information are analyzed and explained to evaluate the present scenario of the Area. Field data are analyzed and synthesized.
WHY PARTICULARLY GIBBON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY?
Uniqueness:
It is the only Wildlife Sanctuary to be named after a non- human primate the Hoolock Gibbon (Hylobates Hoolock) and is divided in to five compartments which are situated in fragments. The Sanctuary is surrounded by tea gardens in all sides including villages. The tea gardens were established during the last part of 19th century, whereas, the villages were established during the 1960’s to rehabilitate the flood affected landless people of Majuli and adjoining areas. Infact, the sanctuary is encompassing three distinct Phases of Isolation disturbing the faunal as well as the floral community which is stated below:
Firstly, the forest was disconnected from the immediate attachment of other reserve forest particularly of Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest., due to the construction of Dhodar Ali which was build during the Ahom reign.
Secondly, many tea gardens were established in the forest lands since 1835 which led to deforestation of forest. Moreover, advancement of settlement to the margin of forest land in all direction compelled the faunal as well as floral community to cluster in a small fraction of forest land which ultimately posed a serious threat leading to man-animal conflict.
Thirdly, in the year 1885, the railway track was constructed through the sanctuary which divided the forest into southern and northern parts, creating a barrier in their
movement (spl. Gibbons – as they use tree branches for their movement) from one compartment to the other.
A biodiversitical Hotspot
Diverse Floral Species
It is an established fact that the diverse topography of Gibbon Wild life Sanctuary is a strong determiner of rich biodiversity. Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary with its distinct dipterocarp dominant forest is a unique representation of the rich forest of upper Assam and is the sole refuge of majority of the wildlife. The rich diversity of the sanctuary is represented by 486 species of plants. Further to synthesize its rich biodiversity and to show the nature of a rainforest exhibiting, a study has been made.
Density of the forest:
The sanctuary depicts a variety of species which are generally found in rain forest and so the Sanctuary portrays a kind of rainforest. So to measure the density of the sanctuary a survey of two areas each being 9sq.m.area from where some samples have been collected.
1st study area,
In 9 sq.m. total plant species found was 29
◦˚◦ In 1 sq.m. total plant species found would be 29/9
=3.2/ sq. m. 2nd study area,
In 9 sq.m. total plant species found was 36
◦˚◦ In 1sq.m. total plant species found would be 36/9
=4/sq. m.
The average number of floral plant species in 1sq m area is -
= (3.2 +4.0)/sq. m
= (7.2/2) sq.m.
=3.6/sq.m Therefore, a density of 4 (approx) sq.m. have been found in
the Study area depicts presence of rich floral species in the
Sanctuary, bearing characteristics of a rain forest. The sanctuary is a tropical moist deciduous dipterocarp forest and accordingly they form three storey of canopy shown below:
Table.1: The following table represents the plant species of the study area in accordance to their canopy form, medicinal value, scientific and local name and also of their family name.
Canopy form/ storey | Sl. no | Local name | Scientific name, | Family | Uses Known/ Unknown |
L O W E R C A N O P Y | 1 | Bah potiya bon | Na | Na | Un |
2 | Kakoisia | Na | Na | Un | |
3 | Phutokola | Na | Na | Un | |
4 | Jutuli poka | Altingia excelsa | Altingiaceae | Un | |
5 | Kaliori | Polyalthia jenkinsii | Annonaceae | Un | |
6 | Kukura thengia | Na | Na | Un | |
7 | Bilongoni | Na | Na | Un | |
8 | Bet | Calamus | Na | Un | |
9 | Haldhara aalo | Na | Na | Un | |
10 | Mou aalo | Na | Na | Un | |
11 | Hunborial | Na | Na | Un | |
12 | Gunhualo | Na | Na | Un | |
13 | Yam lakhuti | Na | Na | Jaundice | |
14 | Germany bon | Clerodendron eupatorium | Na | Na | |
15 | Bagitora | Na | Na | Un | |
16 | Phakdema | Na | Na | Un | |
17 | hati dhenkiya | Pothos cathcartii | Araceae | Un | |
18 | Nephaphu | Na | Na | High blood pressure | |
19 | Aathu bhanga | Na | Na | Un | |
20 | Teteli potiya | Na | Na | Un | |
21 | Bagonia | Na | Na | Un |
L O W E R C A N O P Y | 22 | Kasidoria | Na | Na | Blood sugar |
23 | Naginimora | Na | Na | Un | |
24 | Bojal bah | Pseudostachyum polumorphum | Na | Un | |
25 | Sotomol | Na | Na | Un | |
26 | kunwa bhaturi | Na | Na | Un | |
27 | Hatikerepa | Ilex godjam | Aquifuliaceae | Un | |
28 | Bon kesheru | Na | Na | Un | |
29 | Bonbaberi | Phyllanthus simplex | Euphorbiaceae | Un | |
30 | Pareng | Na | Na | Un | |
31 | Bonphoroi | Na | Na | Uh | |
32 | Bonsoom | Na | Na | Un | |
33 | Sarpagandha | Na | Na | Pressure and internal uses | |
34 | Tejmoyi | Na | Na | Toothache | |
35 | Letaguti | Na | Na | Pneumonia, malaria | |
36 | Borjanali | Na | Na | Paralysis | |
37 | Majank kati | Na | Na | Encephalitis | |
38 | Pani poduna | Na | Na | Jaundice | |
39 | Gonkasu | Na | Na | Un | |
40 | Maankosu | Na | Na | Un | |
41 | Teli kosu | Na | Na | Un | |
42 | Adoliya kosu | Na | Na | Un | |
43 | Ull kosu | Na | Na | Un | |
44 | Kola kosu | Na | Na | Un | |
45 | Sengmarakosu | Na | Na | Jaundice | |
46 | Bandardima | Dysoxylum | Maeliaceae | Un |
M I D D L E C A N O P Y | binectariferum | ||||
47 | Chalmugra | Hydnocarpus kurzii | Flacourtiaceae | Skin disease | |
48 | Morsal | Vatica lancefolia | Dipterocarpaceae | Un | |
49 | Nahar | Mesua ferrea | Clusiaceae | Un | |
50 | Outenga | Dillenia indica | Na | Un | |
51 | Agaru | Aqualaria agallocha | Na | Un | |
52 | Dimaru | Ficus fistulosa | Na | Un | |
53 | Rudraksya | Elaeocarpus ganitrus | Elaeocaepaceae | Heart disease | |
54 | Leteku | Baccaurea sapida | Euphorbiaceae | Fruit eaten | |
55 | Gameri | Gmelina arborea | Verbenaceae | Un | |
56 | Sashi | Aqualaria agolacha | Na | Timber | |
57 | Titachapa | Michelia baillonii | Magnoliaceae | Timber | |
58 | Dhopat tita | Na | Na | Un | |
59 | Segun | Na | Na | Timber | |
60 | Simolu | Bombax ceiba | Bombacaceae | Un | |
61 | Jamuk | Na | Na | Dysentery, diabetics | |
62 | Bhelu | Tetramelos nudiflora | Na | Un | |
63 | Thekera | Garcinia kydia | Clusiaceae | Dysentery | |
64 | Amallokhi | Amblica officinalis | Euphorbiaceae | Cough,stomacheach | |
65 | Hilikha | Bridelia stipularis | Euphorbiaceae | Trifala good for stomach, eyes | |
66 | Pan sopas | Na | Na | Un | |
67 | Arjun | Na | Na | Heart disease, diabetic | |
68 | Borhamthuri | Talauma hodgsoni | Magnoliaceae | Un | |
T O P | 69 | Ban aam | Magnifera sylvatica | Anacardiaceae | Un |
70 | Hoolung | Dipterocarpus retusa | Dipterocarpaceae | Un | |
71 | Dhuna | Canarium bengalensis | Burseraceae | Aromatic |
C A N O P Y | 72 | Seleng | Sapium baccatum | Euphorbiaceae | Un |
73 | Ajar | Lagestroemia reginae | Lythraceae | Un | |
74 | Hingoori | Castonopsis indica | Fagaceae | Un | |
75 | Kadam | Anthocephalus chinensis | Rubiaceae | Un | |
76 | Hoolock | Tesminalia myriocarpa | Magnociaceae | Un | |
C L I M B E R S | 77 | Dighal loti | Litsea salicifolia | Lauraceae | Un |
78 | Mahuli lota | Croton caudatus | Euphorbiaceae | Un | |
79 | Tubukilota | Cissmpelos pareira | Menispermaceae | Un | |
80 | Madhabilota | Hiptage acuminate | Malpighiaceae | Un | |
81 | Jori lota | Ficus benjamina | Moraceae | Un | |
82 | Hal lota | Na | Na | Un | |
83 | Pipoli | Piper longum | Piperaceae | Un | |
84 | Baghasura lota | Na | Na | Un | |
85 | Khal lota | Na | Na | Un | |
86 | Jaglo pat | Macaranga denticulata | Euphorbiaceae | Un | |
87 | Harjora lota | Cissus quadrangularis | Na | For joints | |
88 | Bhedai lota | Na | Na | For stomach | |
89 | Ghela lota | Na | Na | Gastric, stomachache | |
90 | Thebu lota | Na | Na | Un |
* Source: Hoolock: the ape of India by Gibbon Conservation Centre, **( Na – Not applicable)
Diverse Faunal Species
Apart from this variety of plant species, the sanctuary is also known for its host of faunal species more particularly for the primate diversities. Out of 15 species of primates found in India, 9 species of primate are found in the North Eastern India while 7 species of primate i.e. Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, Stump Tailed Macaque, Rhesus in Schedule I as per the legal status of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the remaining four primates species are in
:
Macaque, Pig tailed Macaque, Assamese Macaque and Slow Loris, are found in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. Infact, the Sanctuary boost of having glimpse of these primates. Out of these 7 primate species, 3 primate species viz. Capped Langur, Hoolock Gibbon and Slow Loris are
Schedule II. Brief check lists of major faunal species are given below
Table 2: A brief check list of major species of fauna
Primates(endangered)
Other mammal
Reptiles
Assamese macaque
Asiatic elephant
The Indian python
Pig-tailed macaque
Barking deer
The common monitor lizard
Stump-tailed macaque
Sambar deer
The gecko lizard
Rhesus macaque
Wild boar
The common cobra
Capped langue
Albino boar
King cobra
Hoolock gibbon
Porcupine
Viper(pit)
Slow Loris
Tiger
Other various snakes (endemic)
Leopard
Tortoise
Jungle cat
Indian civet
Pangolin
Fox
Himalayan orange bellied
squirrel
Horry bellied squirrel
Malayan giant squirrel
⃰Source: Article-Gibbon Wild Life Sanctuary: An Approach for Sustainable Development Goswami.B.N. ; Sharma. P.
Table-3: The following list presents major bird species found in the Sanctuary.
Sl. no
Vernacular name
Scientific name
1
Red jungle fowl
Gallus gallus
2
Kalij pheasant
Lophura leucomelanos
3
Ruddy shelduck
Tadorna furruginea
4
Common teal
Anas crecca
5
Rufous wood pecker
Celceus brachyumes
6
Lesser yellownape
Picus chlorolophus
7
Raket tailed drongo
Dicrurus paradiseus
8
Indian pied hornbill
Buceros bicornis
9
Hill mayna
Gracula religiosa
10
Bank mayna
Acridotheres ginginianus
11
Bulbuls(black)
Hypsipetes leucocephalus
12
Parakeet(red breasted)
Psittacula alexandri
13
Doves(spotted)
Streptopelia chinensis
14
Himalyan flameblack
Dinopium shorii
15
Mountain scops owl
Otus spilocephalus
16
Creasted serprent eagle
Spilornis cheela
17
Black kite
Milvus migrans
18
Asian pied startling
Sturnus contra
19
Plain flower picker
Dicaeun cancolor
20
Little pied flycatcher
Ficedula westermanii
21
Indian roller
Coracias benghalensis
22
Tailed jacana pheasant
Hydrophasianus chirugus
23
Grey wag tail
Motacilla cinerea
24
Sperkled piculet
Picumnus innominatus
25
Rosy minivet
Pericrocotus roseus
26
Rufous treepie
Dendrocitta vagabunda
27
Common kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
28
Pied cuckoo
Clamator
29
Ashywood pigeon
Columba pulchricollis
30
Large billed crow
Corvus macrorhynchs
31
Rosy pipit
Anthus roseatus
32
White rumped munia
Lonchura striata
33
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
34
Purple sunbird
Nectarinia asiatica
35
Rufous winged bushlark
Mirafra assamila
36
Abbots bubbler
Malacocicla
37
Rofous necked laughingthrush
Garrulax ruficollis
38
Smoky warbler
Phylloscopus fuligiventer
39
Common tailor bird
Orthotomus sutorius
40
Slaty bellied tesia
Tesia olivea
41
Yellow bellied prinia
Prinia flaviventris
42
Barn swallow
Hirundo rustica
43
Great tit
Parus major
44
Oriental magpie robin
Copsyahus saulacis
45
Large niltava
Niltava
46
Brown shrike
Lanius cristatus
47
Golden fronted leaf bird
Chloropsis aurifrons
48
Little heron
Butorides stratus
49
Asian koel
Eudynamys scolopacea
50
Green bee eater
Merops orientatis
Recently on January/09/2009,white –winged wood duck, a rare and endangered bird was sighted in the sanctuary by a
researcher from national institute of advance studies ,Bangalore.
Source: 2007 Ghosh- Birds of Holongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, newsletter of birdwatchers.