Abstract: Northeast India is well known for its unique practices of preparing alcoholic beverages and other fermented foods. Traditionally prepared rice beer is thought to possess various medicinal and therapeutic properties due to the utilization of numerous indigenous plant species during its preparation. It exhibits rich microbial diversity, whose synergistic action converts the starchy components of rice into beneficial metabolites such as sugar, alcohol and organic acids. It is locally believed that traditional rice beer is effective in treating worm expulsion, insomnia, body aches, inflammation and urinary issues. The bioprospecting result re-establishes our belief in using traditional rice beer as a medicinal probiotic while retaining all of its other sensory properties as a beer. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of traditional rice beer from Northeast India, with special reference to the Galo tribe, an ethnic community of Arunachal Pradesh. It discusses the ingredients, methods of preparation and associated traditional knowledge, along with the ethnobotanical aspects of starter cake preparation. In addition, the review examines microbial diversity, fermentation dynamics and metabolite profiles across different regions. Strategies for enhancing the shelf life of the rice beer are also discussed. Thus, with appropriate scientific interventions, traditionally prepared rice beer can be effectively commercialized, supporting traditional knowledge systems and boosting the economy of tribal communities.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Fermentation, Metabolites, Microbial diversity, Probiotics, Starter cake

Abstract: The Dibru River, a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra, traverses the Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam. It serves as a vital resource for local communities, many of whom rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods. However, intensive fishing pressure is believed to be a major driver of declining ichthyofaunal diversity in the region. This study aims to assess the diversity, composition, population trends, and economic significance of fish species inhabiting the Dibru River. Data were collected through experimental fishing at three designated sites and supplemented by surveys of fish sold nearby landing stations, including species not captured during field sampling. A total of 76 fish species were documented, representing 51 genera, 25 families, and 9 orders. The family Cyprinidae was the most represented (16 species), followed by Danionidae (12), Bagridae (7) and Channidae (6). According to the IUCN Red List assessment, 87% of the recorded species are classified as Least Concern (LC), 6% as Near Threatened (NT) and 3% each as Vulnerable (VU) and Endangered (EN), with 1% listed as Data Deficient. Of the identified species, 28 are primarily consumed as food, 7 possess exclusive ornamental value, and 41 serve both culinary and decorative purposes. During the study, dolphins were sighted across the years at different sites along the river. This comprehensive documentation of ichthyofaunal diversity is pivotal for guiding future research and conservation efforts, particularly in safeguarding the endangered Gangetic dolphin, which inhabits the same riverine ecosystem.

Keywords: Assam, Dibru River, Fish diversity, Gangetic dolphin

Abstract: The demand for Santalum album (Indian sandalwood) has risen dramatically in recent decades, resulting in widespread and unsustainable harvesting. Due to its scarcity and high economic value, many manufacturers and traders substitute other timber species, such as Gmelina arborea, which may visually resemble sandalwood but differ greatly in aroma, density, and chemical composition. Such substitutions reduce product quality and mislead consumers and also undermine conservation initiatives aimed at protecting authentic sandalwood resources. Traditional identification methods including morphological observation, anatomical characterization, and chemical profiling are effective for raw wood but lose reliability when the material is processed into powders or carvings, where diagnostic features are masked or destroyed. To overcome these limitations, molecular tools, particularly DNA fingerprinting and DNA barcoding, have emerged as powerful alternatives for species authentication. This study used the trnH–psbA intergenic spacer to confirm the genetic identity of S. album and to distinguish it from Gmelina arborea, a common substitute in commercial markets. DNA sequence analysis revealed clear genetic separation between the two species, despite their similar appearance. The S. album sequences obtained showed a 100% match with reference accessions in GenBank, validating the accuracy of the identification and the reliability of the marker. Similarly, G. arborea sample grouped closely with published Gmelina sequences in the phylogenetic tree, confirming their correct classification. The findings highlight the importance of integrating DNA-based identification into standard quality assurance protocols to protect endangered S. album populations and to strengthen traceability and transparency in the global sandalwood market.

Keywords: DNA barcoding, Gmelina arborea, Sandalwood, Santalum album, Sustainable trade, trnH–psbA intergenic spacer, White wood

Abstract: Incense is an aromatic biological substance that releases fragrant smoke or fumes when burned and used for appealing and aesthetic purposes as well as some other use like repelling insects. Darjeeling Himalayan region is rich in diversified flora and varied tribal communities having rich traditional knowledge. They still prefer to use their traditional knowledge to exploit the available plant resources for religious purposes as well as making traditional incense and insect repellent substances. Being rich in traditional knowledge system, different aspect of ethnobotany and indigenous knowledge of different communities of this area were studied by different workers. Lack of complete, concrete and compact study on incense and insect repellent plants of this zone and the related aspects encouraged the present dissertation which was designed to enumerate the botanicals used as incense and insect repellent agents by the people of Darjeeling. Standard methodology for ethnobotanical survey including field visit, market survey, visit to the religious places, interviews with monks, knowledgeable elderly person etc were followed to collect the data. A total of 58 species belonging to 52 genera and 26 families covering dicots, monocots and gymnosperms which played an important role in the daily life of the tribals and the locals. The study pointed towards the threats to some of the incense and insect repellent species and recommends further detailed and more intensive study to investigate their proper uses and potential as more effective and environment friendly incense and insect repellent products, population structure and ecological status of those species for their protection and conservation.

Keywords: Darjeeling, ethnobotany, ethnoreligious plants, incense, insect repellents, traditional knowledge

Abstract: We studied distribution and population densities of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) along urban–suburban gradients in five district Headquarter towns of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam—Kokrajhar, Kajalgaon, Udalguri, Tamulpur, and Mushalpur. We used 500 × 500 sq. m grids, selecting one point randomly in each grid. Stratified point count surveys (30 m radius, 5-minute counts) were conducted from April 2022 to June 2024 in different seasons across Commercial Areas (CA), Residential Areas (RA), and Suburban Areas (SUA). We did not find significant difference in population density of both the species among different seasons and two successive years as well as between the sexes in House Sparrows. We combined the data for further analyses. Kokrajhar had the highest density of House Sparrow in all the three habitats, and among the three habitats, the lowest density was found in suburban area in all the district Headquarter towns. The lowest density of Tree Sparrow was found in Kajalgaon in all the three habitats, and the highest density of Tree Sparrow was found in sub-urban area. House Sparrows were significantly more than the Tree Sparrows in all the district Headquarter towns and in all the habitats. We found highly significant difference of the population of both House Sparrow and Tree Sparrow across the district Headquarter towns and also among three different habitats. Interspecific comparisons confirmed clear habitat segregation between the two species. The study provides baseline data on sparrow populations in the urban areas of BTR, based on which population monitoring could be carried out.

Keywords: Urban ecology, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Habitat preference, Urban–suburban gradient

Abstract: Lichens are vital components of forest ecosystems, serving as indicators of environmental quality and contributing to nutrient cycling and habitat complexity. This study assesses lichen biomass across different forest stands in the Kumaun Himalaya, a region known for its rich biodiversity and varying ecological zones. Quantitative biomass estimation was conducted in representative forest types, including pine (Pinus roxburghii), oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and mixed broadleaf stands. Standardized sampling techniques, including stratified random sampling and destructive harvesting methods, were employed to quantify epiphytic lichen biomass. Results revealed significant variations in biomass distribution across forest types, with the highest biomass recorded in undisturbed oak-dominated forests, followed by mixed and pine stands. Factors influencing lichen biomass included canopy cover, bark texture, moisture availability, and anthropogenic disturbance. The study exhibits the ecological importance of conserving native broadleaf forests to maintain lichen diversity and biomass, which in turn support broader ecosystem functions. This study also provides a baseline for long-term monitoring of lichen dynamics in response to climate change and forest management practices in the Himalayan region.

Keywords: Lichens, biomass, forest types, altitude, Kumaun Himalaya

Abstract: Human-snake negative interaction is common in rural Assam, particularly during the breeding season when cobras often deposit eggs inside houses or other structures. Such encounters frequently lead to destruction of eggs, posing a threat to local populations of ecologically important species. We report two cases of successful hatching from rescued cobra (Naja spp.) eggs in Assam. In the first case, thirteen eggs of a Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia) were recovered from beneath the mud floor of a residence in Lakhimpur district and incubated in a container lined with straw and hay. All hatched successfully after sixteen days. The second case is from Kokrajhar district, where eleven eggs of a Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) were rescued from a school, and were incubated under controlled conditions (27–32 °C, 70–80% humidity), and eight of them hatched after fourteen days. Given the paucity of such documentation from the region, the present findings offer practical and replicable models for wildlife rescuers, forest departments, and conservation practitioners for the safe handling and management of rescued cobra eggs.

Keywords: Monocled Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, egg rescue, human-snake conflict, Assam, incubation