Structure, phenology, fruit yield, and future prospects of some prominent wild edible plant species of the Sikkim Himalaya, India

2004·15.1 MB·English

by  Manju Sundriyal

Ethnobiology /Summer
Spring 2004
AND
STRUCTURE, PHENOLOGY,
FRUIT FUTURE
YIELD,
PROSPECTS OF SOME PROMINENT WILD PLANT
EDIBLE
THE
SPECIES OF SIKKIM HIMALAYA, INDIA
MANJU
SUNDRIYAL* SUNDRIYAL
and b
R.C.
&
G.B. Pant Himalayan Environment Development
Institute
of
North East Unit, Vivek Vihar, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India
a b
([email protected]), ([email protected])
—
ABSTRACT.
Himalaya grow
In the a large variety of plants that in forest areas
We
are used as food, and a few of them are exploited on large discuss
scale. six
wild Sikkim Himalaya and
tree species of the that yield edible fruit that are of
great economic value to rural people: Baccaurea sapida (Roxb.) Muell.-Arg., Diplok-
nema
butyracea (Roxb.) Lam., Elaeagnus Eriolobas indica Schn., Machilus
L.,
latifolia
edulis King, and Spondias Roxb. These species, which are an important
axillaris
component found low have poor
of forest diversity, are in densities, rates of re-
and from by
generation, suffer overexploitation the local population. All the spe-
cies have market value and significant potential for value addition. The per-tree
was each and plantation stands could generate high
fruit yield fair for species,
economic returns. suggested that a large-scale propagation plan needed
It is is
for these species so that farmers could cultivate them, which would reduce the
on
pressure the wild populations of the forests.
Key words: wild edible plants, structure, regeneration, phenology, fruit yield, mar-
keting.
—
RESUMEN. como una
En Himalaya Sikkim alimento gran variedad
se utilizan
el
de plantas que crecen en areas boscosas, pocas de ellas se explotan a gran
las y
Examinamos
rurales
Baccaurea (Roxb.) Muell.-Arg., Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) Lam., Elaeagnus
sapida
Roxb.
Schn., Machilus edulis King, y Spondias axillaris
Eriolobus indica
latifolia L.,
un
sufren
en mer-
de sobreexplotacion por gente local. Todas las especies tienen valor el
la
cado y un potencial de valor anadido significativo. La produccion por 3rbol es
bastante abundante para cada especie, y una plantaci6n podrfa generar altos be-
un de propagacion gran
nefices economicos. Sugerimos que se necesita plan a
que
pudieran
escala para estas especies de forma que los granjeros cultivarlas, lo
de bosques.
reduciria presion sobre poblaciones silvestres los
la las
RESUME poussant
milieux
grande
echelle
mi donnent
d*
Lam., Elaeagnus
Muell.-Arg., Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) lalifoli
Schn., Machilus
populat
SUNDRIYAL SUNDRIYAL
and No.
114 Vol. 24,
1
peces forment une part importante de la diversite forestiere. Elles se retrouvent
a faible densite, possedent un taux de regeneration faible et sont surexploitees
par population Toutes especes possedent une valeur commerciale
la locale. les et
un grand potentiel pouvant augmenter leur valeur. Le rendement des recoltes de
par arbre assez bon pour chacune des especes. Aussi, plantations
fruits etait les
pourraient generer un grand profit economique. Aussi, un plan de propagation
est necessaire aiin que les agriculteurs puissent cultiver ces especes. Cela reduirait
pression exercee sur populations naturelles que Ton trouve en
la les foret.
INTRODUCTION
People throughout the tropics depend on their indigenous plants for food
and multitude everyday products from medicines Large
security a of to fibers.
numbers from and wild meet sub-
of plants are collected forests other areas to
sistence food needs of the people (Arora and Pandey 1996). Such dependence is
even greater in the Himalayan region (Samant and Dhar 1997). Wild species pro-
ducing edible products could play a prominent role in increasing the income of
Some
farm households cultivated or harvested sustainably (Phillips 1993). of
if
these plants are rich in nutrients, and their consumption helps to maintain a
among
balanced diet the rural population (Sundriyal and Sundriyal 2001a). There-
more and
fore attention should be paid to the natural associations, fruit yield
many
them
regeneration of potential wild edible species, as of often function as
many
and
keystone species provide food not only to people, but to frugivores as
well.
In the Sikkim Himalaya, 190 wild plant species used by local communities
them
for food have been screened (Sundriyal 1999; Sundriyal et al. 1998). All of
made
are collected from wild habitats and to date no effort has been to cultivate
We
and market-
them. discuss the structure, regeneration, phenology, fruit yield,
Himalaya produce
ing of the six most widely used wild plants of the Sikkim that
Due an urgent
edible fruits. to their poor regeneration in forest habitats, there is
need for them to be propagated under nursery conditions. The study highlights
the condition of these species in the forests of Sikkim and provides related infor-
mation be management.
that will useful for their
AND
METHODS
MATERIALS
The Sikkim Himalaya the part of Eastern Himalaya, with an elevational
is
m km
2
range of 300 to 8579 above msl. Sikkim State has a total area of 7096
,
which is just 0.02% of the total area of India. has a population of 505,505, of
It
which 85% The and
lives in villages. region rich in cultural biological diversity.
is
Lepchas, Bhutias, Limbus, and Nepalese are the main ethnic groups; Nepalese
and
are most numerous. Farmers practice double cropping in the valleys single
36%
cropping higher Sikkim, of the area
at elevations (Sundriyal et 1994a). In
al.
15% 10% 25% The
forested, under cultivation, pasture and barren land.
is is is is
state has subtropical, temperate and subalpine forests as one goes from lower to
and
and
higher elevations (Rai Sundriyal 1997; Sundriyal et 1994b, Sundriyal
al.
Sharma
1996). All the forests provide diverse products, such as timber, firewood,
/Summer JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
Spring 2004
115
NTFPs
fodder and
(non-timber
forest products). Plants with
edible parts are
found growing among
in all the forest stands, are very popular local people, and
a large variety is also brought to markets.
The
Due
climate of the area monsoonal.
typically proximity
is to its to the
Bay
of Bengal, it has high rainfall and humidity, which supports the growth of
mm
m
luxuriant vegetation. Average annual rainfall varies from 1200 300
(at
mm
m
elevation) to 4500 (at 2000 elevation), and over 80% of the rain comes
during monsoon maximum
the season (June through September). The average
temperature varies from 21° to 35°C while the average minimum temperature
varies from 12° to 23°C. The winter (December through February)
generally
is
and The minimum
rainless cold. temperature during this period varies from 0°C
maximum
higher
at elevations to 9°C in the valleys, while temperature ranges
between 13° 28°C October November autumn
to to is the period; spring falls in
March
and April. Pleasant weather prevails during these two seasons.
The may
legal status of forests be categorized into Reserve Forest
(legally
protected areas), Khasmahal Forest (forest area designated for the use of villages
for meeting their fuel and fodder needs), Community Forest (owned by a village)
and
Private Forest (owned by an individual farmer). The Sikkim Forest Depart-
ment manages and Khasmahal and community
Reserve
forests village or indi-
vidual farm manage Community and
family Private
forests.
—
mid
For the present study
Selected
if
importan
terms
of their
hieh
natural
habitats;
\e
the fruits; market value; dearth of information available about their structure, phe-
nology, regeneration and growth; and the possibility of incorporating the prop-
agation of these species in traditional agroforestry systems. Six wild edible species
met
these criteria and were selected for detailed study: Baccaurea sapida (Roxb.)
Muell.-Arg., Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) Lam., Elaeagnus latifolia L., Eriolobus indica
Schn., Machilus King, and Spondias Roxb. All are trees except Elaeag-
edulis axillaris
nus which (woody
a liana climber).
latifolia, is
name: kusum
Euphorbiaceae;
Baccaurea sapida (syn. B. ramiflora Lour., local
m
medium semi-evergreen
'sapida') a small to size (up to 10 height) tree that
is
m
grows 500-1500 above msl. The
in the subtropical forests at elevations of yel-
May
lowish from August.
fruits are available to
Diploknema Roxb., Aesandra butyracea (Roxb.)
butyracea (syn. Bassia butyracea
Baehni, Sapotaceae; local name: chiuree 'Indian butter tree') is a tree of nearly 15
m m
The
grows 300-1300 above msl. fruits are scented
height, that elevations of
at
and
pulp and
juicy sweet.
is
Elaeagn
Roxb.,
Elaeagnus
(syn. conferta
latifolia
'bastard
March and and
during April are
in the Sikkim Himalaya. Fruits are collected
commonly
available in the markets at that time.
deciduous
name: mehal 'Indian crabapple') a
Eriolobus indica (Rosaceae; local is
m
m
above
zone (900-1800 msl). Fruits
tree (9-12 height) of the lower temperate
form
are available July-September and eaten fresh or processed into a of pickle.
SUNDRIYAL SUNDRIYAL
and No.
116 Vol. 24,
1
An
made
medicine valued stomach
extract of the fruit into chuk, a for relieving
is
pain.
name: an
Machilus edulis (syn. Persea fructifera Kost, Lauraceae; local pumsi) is
m
•green tree of about 20-30 height that grows in natural forests at elevations
ve 1700 m. considered to be a local variety of avocado (Persea americana).
It is
commonlv found markets during December March, and the outer
are in to
its
attached
Choerospond
Anacardiaceae; local name: lapsi 'hog-plum') is a tree that can reach
ill,
35 m. commonly grows in lower hill forests. The ripened fruits are
It
The fruits that are sold at a semiripe stage are pickled, which gives
them
METHODS
—
Vegetation Structure Analysis and Regeneration. In order to analyze the vegetation
and were chosen
structure regeneration for the six selected species, eight forests
for detailed study based on the preliminary surveys done for areas that are fre-
X
quented by forest dwellers. The vegetation was sampled with 10 10-m quadrats.
Depending upon the area of each of the between 30 and 40 quadrats were
forests,
examined (Sundrival 1999). All tree species and indviduals erowine in a quadrat
Woody
plants with >32.4-cm cbh were counted (Sundriyal 1994b;
as trees et Si
al.
and Sharma The and (ground
1996). frequency, density, abundance, basal cover
area covered by each species) were calculated following the method given by
Curtis and Cottam To measure the dominance of each tree species, the
(1956).
sum
was
Importance Value Index (IVI) calculated as a of relative frequency, rel-
ative density and relative dominance (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974). For
The
each stand, the species with the highest IVI was considered most dominant.
A/F
(abundance /frequency) ratio was calculated to interpret the distribution pat-
<0.025 shows between 0.025-0.05
tern of the species; a value regular distribution,
shows random distribution, and >0.05 shows contagious distribution of the spe-
cies in the forest stand (Saxena and Singh 1982).
The was from randomly quad-
regeneration of species assessed 20 selected
all
X
rats of 10 10-m size in each forest stand. All plants with <32.4-cm cbh con-
sisting of saplings and seedlings of woody species were considered to be regen-
and Sharma and den-
erating individuals (Sundriyal et 1994b; Sundriyal 1996),
al.
sity for species was noted that also included wild edible plants in each stand.
all
—
provides
Phenological Investigation. Study of the phenological stages of a species
information on functional aspects: growth of buds, leaf fall and leafing out,
its
and seed months, season or years that
anthesis, fruiting dispersal in relation to
phenology
phenomenon. Understanding
describes seasonal aspects of ecological
The
very important optimal management under conditions.
for species forest
is
phenological investigation for each species was conducted in at least two stands.
For each species, 5-8 individual trees were marked at each stand to study the
bud
phenological observations on bud formation and flushing, flower
leaf leaf
fall,
Spring/Summer JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
2004
117
formation and and
anthesis, fruit formation maturation
han
et al. 1985; Sundriyal 1990).
Fruit
Yield. harvesting
by
ally tree. For all the species, individuals of different girth classes and heights
marked
measured
made
individuals. were
Efforts to harvest
was
big
trees it not possible to harvest all the fruits. Therefore, the uncollected
fruits were counted visually and converted biomass value based on
to the har-
vested method 70-80%
This accounts nearly
fruits. for of total fruit yield. Per-tree
was
fruit yield plotted against tree circumference at breast height (cbh) for the
harvested individuals. Regression equations were developed
to assess the
rela-
tionship between and
productivity
fruit tree girth.
—
Marketing Three prominent markets Sikkim namely
of Selected Species. of State,
Gangtok, Namchi, and Singtam, were surveyed every other week one
for year.
For each fruit type, data about period of availability, number of
its retailers in-
mcome
its sale.
RESULTS
—
Characteristics Forest Stands and Status Wild Edible Plants. Table 1 provides
of of
m
details of all the sampled forest stands ranging from elevations of 400-2600 in
the Sikkim Himalaya. Of eight stands sampled, three are in the Reserve Forest,
Community
one Khasmahal and one
is in forest, three are in Forest is in the
Private The Reserve Forest areas generally do not suffer any severe an-
Forest.
thropogenic pressure from fuel and timber collection. Field visits and discussion
do and
with local people revealed, however, that people collect fodder various
Khasmahal
other NTFPs, which include wild edible plants. Forests are sup-
also
and and
posed 7 need fodder, timber, thus bear maxi-
to villagers for fuel,
fulfill
mum
The Community and Private Forests generally have higher pro-
pressure.
The
portions of the species preferred for their subsistence value. Reserve Forests
(Stands maintain high diversity of species with high density and basal
VIII)
I, II,
cover, which expected in view of low anthropogenic pressure in these forests.
is
Even
Stand was in the most inaccessible area. so, people collect wild edible
II
showed low and
The Khasmahal (Stand VII) density basal
plants Forest
there.
Community
The
cover due high anthropogenic pressure. Forests (Stands IV, V,
to
was
were good though the Private forest (Stand
VI) also in fairly condition, III)
demands. The presence and absence
highly exploited due individual family of
to
common names presented in Table Alto-
different species along with their is 2.
had most
were Stand the species closely
gether 143 tree species identified. II (30),
followed by Stand Data concerning the phytosociology of each
VIII (29 species).
stand discussed below are presented in Table 3.
Stand This stand occurs elevations of 400-700 m, and represents a
forest at
I.
According
Eastern Himalayan region. to Forest
typical subtropical forest of the
was dominated by Shorea robusta;
Department records the forest stand originally
TABLE
1.—
Characteristics of the forest stands /sites sampled for vegetation structure and regeneration of selected wild edible species
oo
Forest stands/Sites
V
Site characteristics
IV
I II VI
III VII
VIII
Mamkhola
Location Raileykhola Chhota-Sing- Samdung Yuksam
Central Pan- Pangthang
Tendong-Ti-
tam dam
(lower) top
in
f
District Darjeeling Darjeeling South Sikkim
East Sikkim East Sikkim West Sikkim East Sikkim South Sikkim
m m
m
m m
Elevation range 400-700 450-900 860-1050 m m m
800-1400 200-1 500 1200-1600 1500-1900 700-2600
1
1
Forest category Reserve Reserve Private Community Community Community
Khasmahal
Reserve
number
Total of tree 23 30 23
16 23
12 15 29
•P
^r
species in stand
Total no. of wild ed- 7 7 CD
5 4 4
3 3 9
^
ible species in
O
stand*
Dominant
tree spe- T. grandis-S. C. indica-S. S. ivallichii- A. mpalensis- E roxburghii- C. tribuloides- £. acuminata- O. lamellosa-
>
cies robusta robusta Albizia
E. indica
S. axillaris E. indica S. theifolia C. tribulo-
ides
-1
Standing
trees (ha 711 600 280 393 495
420 350 715 a
)
(m _1
Basal area 2ha 43.52 48.54 19.45 21.66
27.70 51.64 37.75 91.27
) CD
Medium
Low-medium
Biotic pressure** High High
Low
Selective Selective Very high
Total density of 180 150 100
all 105 135 69
55 155
^V ^^r -A W-* w**
M
wild
edible spe-
cies (individuals
>
ha"
1 r
)
Basal area of all 9.89 11.80 3.35 4.11 7.35 19.90 16.15 17.12
"
^™* ^Wp v^^H
wild
edible spe-
-1
(m
2ha
cies
)
NR
Total stand regener- 3820 1655 1710 2060 2786 3138 4700
-1
ation (ha
)
NR
Regenerating
of 1560 725 695 730 765 503 230
<
^^^^m ^ ^ ^
wild
edible plants
(ha-*)
—
NR
Details ot the species is provided in Table data not recorded.
2;
Z
** "Biotic pressure" is a qualitative assessment based on field observations; it is based on the number of trees cut and lopped and the quantity of NTFPs
o
and
fodder
collected in each forest stand.
CO
TABLE 2.—Presence (+) of tree species and wild edible plants at different forest stands in the Sikkim Himalaya 5'
stands
Forest
in
c
V
name* IV VI VII VIII 3
Local
Species III
I II
3
+ + +
&
kapase
Acer campbellii Hk.f.
T.
+
+
Acer oblongum Wall. phirphire
+
+ +
Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. siris 4-
+
Albizia stipulata Boiv. rato-siris
+ +
Alnus Don. utish
nepalensis
+ +
lahsune
Arnoora King.
wallichii
+
badar
Artocarpus lakoocha (Roxb.)
+
kathal
Artocarpus
sp.
kusum + +
Baccaurea sapida (Roxb.) Muell.-Arg.
+ + +
Munro) choya bans
Bambusa nutans ex
(Wall,
+
nibabans
Bambusa
sp.
+ +
tanki
Bauhinia variegata L.
+
+
roxburghiana Nees. tarsing
Beilschmiedia
+
Buch.-Ham. saur
Betula alnoides
+
Bet cylindrostachys Wall. saur
la
it
+
Bombax malabaricum DC. semal
+ +
+
Clarke chuletro
Brassaiopsis mitis
+
gayo
Spreng.
Bridelia retusa (L.)
+
Roxb. guyilo
Callicarpa arborea
+
Casearia tomentosa Roxb. barkule
+ + + + +
A. DC. dhalne katus
Castanopsis indica
+ +
+
DC. musure
A. katus
Castanopsis tribuloides
+
khari
Celtis tetrandra Wall.
m
C +
innamomu Meissn
impressinervium
sisi
+ +
dhupi
Don.
Cryptomeria
japonica
+
Dendrocalamus Gamble. bhalubans
sikkimensis
+
bans
Dcndrocalamus (Roxb.) Nees.
strictus
+ +
Lam.
Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) chiuree
DC) +
Duabanga (Roxb. ex lampatey
grandiflora
vD
. *
2—
TABLE
(continued)
K)
Forest stands
V
name*
Species Local IV
VI
I II III VII VIII
Echinocarpus dasycarpus Benth. gobrey +
+
Elaeagnus Linn. muslendi
latifolia
Elaeocarpus sikkimensis Mast. bhadrasey + +
+ +
Emblica (Gaerth.) amla
officinalis
Endospermum Benth. + +
chiriense setikath
Engelhard BL mahua + + + + +
tia spicata
+
Eriolobus indica Schn. mehal, likung +
+
Erythrina sp. phaledo G
—
Z
Eurya acuminata DC. + + +
jhingni
o
—
H K
f khanakpa + +
Evodia rax
folia
if f
i i . 2
— —
+
Ficus bengalensis L. bar
— —
+ +
Ficus benjamina kabra
L.
r
— _ —
Ham. + +
Ficus cunia khaniu
+ +
Roxb.
Ficus elastica labar a
— —
FJcm +
Vahl. khasre ^~
///rta
C
L
+
hispida khasrey
Fickfi
Z
Corner +
Ffcitt liookerii nebara ^^ a
^^—
+
nemoralis Wall. dudhilo 2
Ffclis _^_
F/cms roxburghii Roxb. nebara + + +
>
— — —
+
Gmelina khameri
arborca L.
Gynocardia odorata R. gante +
Br.
+ +
Gynocardia odorata R. gantey
Br.
Hk.
sikkimensis +
//ex lisey
f.
okhar + +
luglans regia L.
Leucosceptrum canum Sm. ghurpis + + +
+ +
l.itsaea citrata BI. siltimur
<
Litsaea oblonga Wall. kalipahenle +
kutmero + +
l.itsaea pohfa)itha Juss.
Ij/wmz ovalifolia (Wall.) angeri + +
2
Macaranga pustulate King. malata + + + +
o
5'
2—
TABLE
(continued)
stands
Forest
V
name* IV VI VII VIII
Local
Species II III
I
seto-malata
Macaran
sp.
+
lapche kawlo,
Machilu King.
lulis
+ +
+
4^
phun-
pumsi,
chey
+ +
+
kawlo
Machilus gammiemui King.
+
lali-kawlo
Machilu- odoratissima Wall.
8
+
kawlo
bhaisi
Machilus
sp,
+
+
(Mn nd
Mallotu* pkQippmtnsis lire
si
+
>
anp
Mattgifera hniiai Wall.
+
anp
chuche
Mangifem (Roxb.)
sylvatica
O
+ +
+
MrtM Hon. bilaune
D.
cfttSU
MWw +
bakain
azadtrachta
L.
H
+
wn dabdabe
Mdtemfl f/ww King. Brandis. X
+ +
2
chanp
MicMia BL
excels*
O
+
tite-chanp
Wall.
MiWk'li/j /<?mh vjimos<?
cd
% +
Gamble
Mimosa arare
O
NiimiTnyiiifl
r
+ + + +
Mono kimbu
laevigata (Wall.)
+
Mynia kaphal
saptda Wall.
+
VyiM HK. lokh chilaune *<
sessitiflora
+
Qrary/imi nuiicum Vent. total a
+ +
Rim&imis tarika
L.
+
Pninus CfHBO*^ Don. paiyun
I).
+
Prunus Koch. arupate
ntpaleti
s
+
aru
Bat
Prii fius persiOl sell.
ambak +
Psidium guajmxi
L.
+ +
Pyrw (Buch.-tlamex naspati
pasftia
+
Quercus Roxb. arkholo
fenest rata
Sm. book +
Quercus
lamellosa
+
Quercus
sp.
N>
2—
TABLE
(continued)
Forest stands
m
V
name*
Species Local IV
VI
I II VII VIII
Rhododendron arboreum Sm. gurans +
lali
Rhus succedanea L. bhalayo + + + +
+
Salmalia malabarica Schott. semul
Schima (DC.) Karth + + + +
wallichii chilaune
sakuwa + +
Shorea robusta (Gaernt.
f.)
Roxb. + +
Spondias
axillaris lapsi, silet-kung,
lumsee
DC. +
Stereospermum suaveolans parari c
Ham.
Symplocos sumuntia kholmein + + +
Don
Symplocos D. kharane + + +
tlieifolia
2
+
Tectona grandis sagon
(L.
f.)
Roxb. +
Terminalia (Gaertn.) barrah
belerica
r
+
Terminalia myriocarpa (Muell.-Arg.) panisaj
+
Bedd.
Terminalia tomentosa pakhasaj a
M. Roem.
Toona +
cilliata tuni
Viburnum + +
cordifolium Wall. asare
I
Walsura tubulata Hiern. phalame + +
Zanthoxylum budrunga +
Wall. siltimur
Unidentified amphi +
>
+
Unidentified badari
+
Unidentified bakhain
+
Unidentified dayar
+
Unidentified
kalikath
Unidentified kamlo +
+
Unidentified khankar
+
Unidentified
kheari
<
Unidentified mahina +
o
mahony
Unidentified +
+
Unidentified
pailey
+ z
Unidentified
pilpile
o
name
* First (or only) listed is Nepali, second is Lepcha, and third is Bhutia