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Last Update: 28 November 2017 Part I

ET 165
Biodiversity of West Bengal
Biological diversity in the state of West Bengal could be presented at species as well as at
ecosystem levels. The geographical location of the state has bestowed major representative
ecosystem within it. Measured in terms of area, its incidence is higher than that of India. The
mountain ecosystem in the Darjiling Himalaya in the north, the forest ecosystem (semi-evergreen,
deciduous, dry, moist and tidal varieties) extending over the major part of the state, the freshwater
ecosystem (spread over rivers, wetlands and estuaries), the semi-arid ecosystem of Puruliya-
Bankura-Birbhum region, the mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans and coastal-marine
ecosystem along 24 Parganas and Medinipur are the examples of the largest assemblages of
habitats for floral and faunal diversity.

Bio-geographically, the State generally comes under the realm of Oriental region and, in particular,
to Indian sub-region. However, biodiversity at species level indicate assemblage of elements of
palaearitic region, Indo-Chinese sub-region and Malayan sub-region with some species having
Ethiopian affinity.

Faunal Diversity
The faunal diversity of West Bengal has been extensively documented by Zoological survey of India
in a series of publications since 1992. The state, has the representatives of almost every group of
animal phyla of India with an impressive incidence of species diversity.

From an assessment of species diversity in the state under different animal phyla, it appeared that
faunal diversity is highly variable in different groups of taxa in relation to the recorded species from
India. The percentage of West Bengal fauna vis-a-vis the Indian record remain below 10% in six
groups. At least in 6 other groups, the same ranges between 10-20%, while in 3 groups it varies
from 20-30% . In case of lower invertebrate groups like Protozoa and Porifera, the range is recorded
between 30-40%, while in the lower invertebrate group of Rotifera and in the highest vertebrate
group of Mammalia, the percentage of representation becomes as high as 47 to 48%. The most
impressive profile emerges, if the analysis is done for vertebrate groups. The state, occupying only
2.7% of the total area of India has more than 23% of vertebrate fauna. As for invertebrate, West
Bengal fauna represent 10% of the fauna of India (of those groups recorded in the State).

The faunal diversity appears to be the highest in the Darjiling Himalayan region. In case of
mamalian species, more than 50 percent of the species recorded in India could be located in the
Darjiling District. On the other hand, the faunal diversity is more specific to the southern deltaic
mangrove forest of Sundarban.

Endemism
The species diversity is further enriched by the evidence of endemism of a number of faunal
element. In terms of the newly detected mammalian species, the Salt Lake Marsh Mongoose, newly
recorded hemichordate in moist mangrove near Sundarban, the Bengal Monitor Lizard and the list
of invertebrates from different regions of the State bear testimony to the rich potential of the area.
From the Sundarban mangrove system, for instance, more than 50 species remained unrecorded in
the past. In a small pond within heart of Calcutta, appears to be a type-locality for a number of
invertebrate, aquatic and semiaquatic, species. The results of investigation on hemphera/

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homopteran insects (only 5 schedule family) are shown in Table - 9.2.

Table - 1.2 : Endemic, Insects (Hemp selected families) in West Bengal


Sl. No. Family Endemic Total %
1. 1. Membrucidae 10 29 34.0
2. 2. Psyllidae 8 24 33.0
3. 3. Aphididae 101 283 37.8
4. 4. Coccioidae 9 107 8.4
5. 5. Reduvidae 15 73 20.5

It is expected that such analysis in every group of fauna may reveal a significant percentage of
endemics, which were originally described and restricted to the State or later recorded from
neighbouring State of Sikkim or other north-eastern states.

Wild life & Endangered Species


The status of wildlife in West Bengal is being discussed here following the principles of categorising
wildlife as per Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The said act, revised from time to time, is
aimed at protecting, rare, endangered, threatened and vulnerable species by according variable
degree of protection under Schedules I, II, III, IV and V. The list of fauna is presented in Table - 9.3.

The analysis of vertebrate fauna of the state indicate presence of a significant percentage of
Protected Species that are known from West Bengal. Of the carnivores, the tiger, the snow
leopard, the leopard cat, the fishing cat, the jungle cat, marbled cat, golden cat, Himalayan black
bear, hyena, jackal and fox, three species of mongoose and two species of otters are becoming
extremely rare. The Clouded Leopard recently recorded in Buxa Tiger Reserve and outside
protected areas in Chumong of Kalimpong and Pankhbari region of Darjeeling Hill District had
special mention.

Another large mammal, once distributed over wider range of eco-systems, the Great Indian One
Horned Rhinoceros, is facing threats to its survival and are found only in some limited areas of north
Bengal. Even from the sanctuaries of Jaldapara and Garumara, Javan Rhinocerous, once found in
southern Bengal, has long become extinct.

A host of herbivores belonging to Artiodactyla ( such as the gaur, wild buffalo, bharal, serow, goral,
sambar, hog deer, barking deer), once largely found in North Bengal, are also included in the list of
endangered species at the country level. The situation in West Bengal is also critical. The Chinese
pangolin, Indian porcupine, Malayan giant squirrel have become rare in the state. The lagomarphs,
mouse and hispid hare are now found only in very restricted areas of North Bengal. The finding of
Pigmy Hog, an extremely rare and endangered species in the Gorumara Sanctuary of North Bengal
Duars region has drawn attention of naturalists.
Table - 1.3 : Fauna of West Bengal
Sl. No. Group Number of
Species
West Bengal India % W.B.:India
1. Protozoa 971 2577 37.6
2. Porifera 16 519 31.0
3. Rotifera 148 310 47.7
4. Siphurcula 3 38 7.8
5. Echiura 3 33 10.0
6. Annelida 179 1093 16.3
7. Arthropoda
8. Crustacea 92 2970 3.0
9. Insecta 4030 21000 7.9
10. Xiphosura 2 2 100.0
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11. Arachnida
12. Scorpinoida 14 102 13.7
13. Acari 419 1915 21.8
14. Aranae 213 1250 17.0
15. Mollusca 360 5042 7.1
16. Bryozoa 9 170 5.2
17. Hemichordata 1 12 8.3
18. Total invertebrate 6406 67033 9.5
19. Fish 574 2546 22.5
20. Amphibia 39 206 19.1
21. Reptilia 139 485 28.5
22. Aves 219 1228 17.8
23. Mammal 176 372 47.3
Total Vertebrate 1147 4837 23.7
Grand Total 7553 71870 10.5

Note : Total Indian fauna stands at 81,292 ; only phyla present in West Bengal have been compared with all India figures.

The avian fauna composed of 219 species (240 including sub-species) of the state have largely
been included in one or the other schedules of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. Of the aquatic birds,
pelicans, spoonbills and storks are becoming rare. Adjutant storks, large adjutant stork and lesser
adjutant stork have disappeared from wider areas. Likewise many of the ground dwelling birds,
specially the pheasants in the higher reaches of the Himalaya, are becoming increasingly rare
largely due to habitat disturbances. Of the pigeon group, snow pigeon and purple wood pigeon are
noted to be scarce. Most of the eagles, bazards, falcons, hawks and owls are now threatened or
vulnerable largely due to non-biodegradable pesticide contamination.

While pink headed duck has become extinct in West Bengal ( and rest of India), the sighting of black
necked crane in Buxa in North Bengal in recent years is a significant addition. Another species,
once wide spread in grasslands of the Himalayan Terai, the Bengal florican, has been listed as
endangered species.

The reptilian fauna of the State is equally noteworthy. The report on finding of endangered reticulate
python in Buxa Tiger Reserve and of four species of marine turtles (viz. Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and
Green Turtle) in the coastal zone and of Batagur terrapin in the Sunderban Tiger Reserve deserve
special mention.

The impact of illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction is also noted in the context of reptile
fauna, specially crocodiles, monitor lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoise. Three species of crocodiles
and four species of monitor lizards, besides python and king cobra are now endangered. However,
recent reports indicate the presence of both these species in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in North
Bengal and in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve in south Bengal. Captive breeding programme of
crocodile and marine turtle hatchery have made significant contribution towards restoration of
natural population.

Of the amphibian species, edible frog species were most vulnerable till mid 1980s due to demands
of export market and lack of regulatory controls. With the ban of frog leg export, the situation has
changed; nevertheless clandestine trading is causing a decline of natural population as noted in the
unconfirmed reports of specialists. The loss of shallow water bodies in Darjiling hills has caused
serious decline of Himalayan newt, a rare and unique salamander.

The fish fauna is yet to be assessed from the viewpoint of wildlife conservation. The hill stream
fishes specially goonch, common mahaseer, tor mahaseer, mosal mahaseer, etc., are becoming
rare due to intervention by dams and barrages. In south Bengal, collection of prawn seeds from
Hugli-Matlah estuary has caused serious depletion of many specially small sized fish species. Due
to lack of laws regarding the juveniles, many dead fishes are discarded. A recent report indicates
that about 25 species of fin fish juveniles and 10 species of shell fish juveniles are being destroyed
regularly as a result of harvest of prawn seeds. It is recorded that for collection of 519 prawn seeds,
about 5103 gm of juvenile-fishes are destroyed per net per day. The massive destruction of
juveniles include such economically important species as hilsa, specially during monsoon and post
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monsoon seasons.

Floral Diversity
The ecosystem diversity in the state has produced assemblages of aquatic and terrestrial floral
species. The floral diversity is undoubtedly the most impressive in the Terai, the Duars, Darjiling, in
the eastern Himalayan region and in the mangrove forests of Sundarbans. These tracts exhibit an
interesting array of species.

The Eastern Himalayan (Darjiling & Sikkim inclusive) vegetation is characterised by abundance of
rhododendrons and orchids, ferns, bryophytes, lichens besides tree like Terminalia, oaks, laurel,
bamboos, hedychiums, etc. In the eastern Himalayan region orchidaceae type flowering plant is the
single largest family with as many as 600 species representing more than 50% of total taxa known
from India. Hundreds of species of Asteraceae, Poaceae, Leguminoceae, Rosaceae,
Scorphulariaceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Cyperaceae, and Saxifragaceae represent 10
dominant families of angiosperms in the area. About 40 percent of total Himalayan flora is endemic
with the majority occurring in the eastern flank.

Of the gymnosperns, 15 species occur in eastern Himalaya with at least 5 genera being confined to
the region. Of the pteridophytes (fern and fern allies), 70 percent of polypodiaceous taxa of India are
concentrated in eastern Himalaya. Nearly 50 percent of more than 2000 moss species, are known
from this region. Of the liverworts, more than 320 species are known from the region with a high
percentage of endemism. The richness of fungal flora, specially of primitive Aphyllophorales-
Thelesphores group as also the Agaries, Gasteromycetous fungi, and sac fungi are well
documented. At least 728 taxa of lichens, out of 2000 species known from the country, occur in the
eastern Himalaya.

The Eastern Himalayan region is also well known for medicinal and aromatic plants of the genera
Aconitum Artermusa, Asparagus, Berberis, Ioscorea, Ephedra, Gentina, Hedychurum, Inula,
Prunus, Rheum, Rosa, Saussurea, etc. The role of eastern Himalaya as a centre of origin and
diversity of crop plants (82 species) is also well documented. Due to increasing loss of habitat and
impact of human activities, a large number of species are becoming vulnerable or threatened.

It is rather surprising that even after 50 years of independence, no account of flora of West Bengal
has been published. Excepting the Botanical Survey of India (established. in 1890 at Calcutta),
districtwise floral assessment has not been taken up by any of the five Universities having Life
Sciences or Botany as disciplines of study and research. The Botanical Survey of India informs that
districtwise assessment is far from being complete. The only account of plants of Bengal as such
remains that of Prain (1905) By deleting the locations in Bangladesh, one can roughly estimate the
flora of West Bengal as given in Table - 1.4(A). Prain did not include the richest area of floral
diversity in Duars and Eastern Himalaya.
Table - 1.4(A) : Tentative list of Flora of West Bengal (after Prain, 1905)
1. Angiosperms Order Genera Species
Dicotyledons 110 690 1493
Monocotyledons 25 203 625
Total 135 893 2118
2. Gymnosperms 3 3 4
3. Pterydophyta 10 25 66
Grand Total 148 921 2188
Note : Prain did not account for other flora i.e, Bacteria Algae, Fungi, Lichens, Moss, Liverworts etc. Prain
also did not include Duars and Darjiling Himalaya.

The richness of floral diversity could still be appreciated from the point that West Bengal occupying
only 2.7 percent of total area of India possesses more than 12 percent of floral diversity in
angiosperm (flowering plants) in the area outside Duars and Darjiling Himalaya.

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The southern deltaic part of West Bengal represent a distinctive floristic combination of 70 species
in the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem. Of these, 35 species are considered true mangroves, 28 as
mangrove associates and seven species as obligate mangrove. Such a combination outnumbers
the taxa in other mangrove ecosystems of India. The list of such floristic diversity is presented in

Table - 1.4 (B) : Mangrove Flora of the Sundarbans

Families & Genera Species Local Names


Major Floral Elements
RHIZOPHORACEAE
1. Rhizophora I. (all are trees) R. apiculata Blume Bhora, Garjan
R. mucronata Lamk Khamu, Garjan
2. Bruguiera Lamk (mostly trees, some B. Gimnorrhiza (L) Lamk Kakra
shrubs)
B. Sexangula (Lour) Poir Kakra
B. cylindrica (L) Blume Bakul Kakra
B. Parviflora W. & A.et Griff Bakul Kakra
3. Ceriops Arnold (small trees & shrubs) C. decandra (Griff) Ding Hou Jamti Goran
C. tagal (Perr.) Robin Mat Goran
4. Kandelia W.&A. (small trees) K. kandel (I.) Druce Goria
AVECENNIACEAE
5. Avicennia I. (small-midium trees) A. alba Blume Kalban, Bani
SONNERATIACEAE
6. Sonneratia Linn. f (medium-tall tree) S. caseolaris (L) Engle Chak-keora
S. griffithii Kurz Ora
S. apetala Buch. Ham Keora
COMBRETACEAE
7. Lunmitzera Wiltd. (shrub / small tree) L. racemosa Wiltd Kripa, Kripal
ARECACEAE
8. Nypa Steek N. fruticans (Thunb.) Gulpata
Minor Floral Elements (Conntinued)
MELIACEAE
1. Xylocarpus Roem (Medium / tall trees) X. granatum Koenig Dundal
X. mekongensi Pierce Pasur
2. Agtaia A. cucullata (L.) Pelle Khalsi
MYRSINACEAE
3. Aegicerus Gaertn. (shrub) A. conriculutum (I.) Blanco Khalsi
EUPHORBIACEAE
4. Excoexuria I. (tree) E. agallaclta I. Gneo, Gnena
AEGIALTIDACEAE
5. Aegialitis Brown (shrub) A. rotandifolia Roxb. Tora
STERCULIACEAE
6. Heritiera Alton (tall tree) H. fomes Buch. Hamilton Sundari
RUBIACEAE
7. Scyphiphora Gaert. (shrub) S.hydrophyllacaea Gaertn. f Tagri Bani
PTERIDACEAEA
8. Acrostichum I. (fern) A. aurcum L. Hudo fern
ACANTHACEAE
9. Acanthus L (shrub / twiner) A. ilicifolius L. Harkoch kanta
A. volubilis Wall Lata Hargoja
RUTACEAE
10. Atalanti M. Roem. (shrub) A. carrea M. Roem. (Merope angulata) Ban lebo
TILIACEAE
11. Brownlowia Roxb. (shrub) B. tersa (L) Kosterm (B. laniolata) Lata Sundari

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Families & Genera Species Local Names
Major Floral Elements
MALVACAEA
1. Hibiscus L (medium tree) H. tiliaceus I. Ban kapas
H. tortuosus Roxb. Ban kapas
2. Thespesia Soland et Curr (medium tree) T. populnia (L) Sold. Paras
T. populnioides (Roxb.) Kostel Paras
T. lampus (Cav) Dalz & Gibs Paras
FABACEAE
CAESAPINIACEAE
3. Cynometra L (Twiner) C. ramiflora l Gita
4. Caesalpinia L. (Twining shrub) C. bonduct l (Roxb.) Nata-karanja
Papilonaceae
5. Dalbergia L. (Small tree) D. spinosa Roxb. Chulia kanta
6. Derris wv (small tree) D. scandens Benth. Noa-lata
D. trifoliata Lour. Pan-lata
D. indica Bennet. Karanja
ARECACEAE
7. Phoenix L. P. paludosa Roxb. Hental
LECYTHIDCEAE
8. Barringtonia Forst (Tree) B. Asiatica L. (Kurz) Hijal
B.racemosa Roxb. Sumudra
BIGNONIACEAE
9. Dolichandrone Seem (Tree) D. spathaexeae l Gorsingiah
EBENACEAE
11. Diaspyros L. (Tree & shrub) D. ferrea (Willd) Roxb. Ban gab
CLUCIACEAE
12. Calophyllum L. (Tree) C. inophyllum L. Kath champa
CAPPAIDACEAE
13. Capparis L. (Woody climber) C. sepiaria L. Kanta gurkamai
14. Craiacya L. ( Small tree) C. roxburghia R. Hr. Barun
SAPINDACEAE
15. Allephylus L. A. cobbe L. BL.
Pandanaceae
16. Pandanus Parkin (Shrub/tree) P. tectorius Sol. ex Park. Keya
P. foetidas Roxb. Keya
SAPOTACEAE
17. Mamdhara Adns. (Tree) M nexandra (Roxb.) Dub Bilati bakul
ASCLEPIADACEAE
18. Sarcolobus R. Br. (Twiner / shrub) S. cariuntus Wall. Bao;i lata
19. Pentatropis Wight & Arn. P. capensis L. Bullock
ASCLEPIADACEAE
20. Hoya R. Brown (Twiner / shrub) H. paracitica Watt Pargacha
CHENOPODIACEAE
21. Suaeda Fors. (Herbaceous) S. maritima Dumort Gire sak
S. nudiflora Moq. Gire sak
22. Salicornia L. (Herbaceous) S. brachiata Roxb.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
23. Cronum L. (Herbaceous) C.defixum Kar-Gawl. Sukh darshan
ARACEAE
24. Cryptocoryne Fisch. C. ciliata (Roxb.) Fisch. Kerali
VERBENACEAE
25. Clerodendrum L. (Shrub) C. inerme L. Gaertan. Ban jui
RUPPIACEAE
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26. Ruppia l. R. maritima L. Sona jhanji
LAMARICACEAE
27. Lamaricx L. (Shrub / small tree) L. dioca Roxb. Nona jhau
L. galica L. Nona jhau
BORAGINACEAE
28. Heliotraphium L. H. curassavicum L.
POACEAE
29. Porteracia Talg. P. coarctata (Roxb.) Dhani ghash
30. Myriastachya Hook. M. wightiana Hook. Nalai
POACEAE
31. Aeluropas L. A. lagaporides L. Nona durba
OPENEIACEAE
32. Opuntia L. O. dillenii Nona phana
SOLANACEAE
33. Solanum L. S. trilobatum L. Nona begun
LAURACAEA
34. Cassitha L. C. filimorphis L. Akash bel
LORANEHACEAE
35. Dendrophthoe Mart D. falcata L. Baramanda
36. Viscum L. V. monoicum Roxb. Manda
V. oriental Willd. Manda
RUBIACEAE
37. Hydrophyllus H. maritima L.
CONVOLVULACEAE
38. Ipomaea L. I. pesycaprae L. Sweet

Wild Life Conservation

The current efforts of the State Government is directed to in-situ and ex-situ conservation. The
Alipore Zoological Garden at Calcutta, and the Himalayan Zoological Park at Darjiling are the two
major centres engaged in ex-situ conservation. The Himalayan Zoological Park has launched a
special programme for conservation of Red Panda and Snow Leopard through captive breeding
project. The Zoological Parks and gardens also include private Zoos. (e.g one at Marble Palace
Calcutta). The Forest Department has set up small deer parks in many districts. In the organised
sector, the State has six National Parks and 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries, one Biosphere Reserve and
two Tiger Reserves. The protected area network in West Bengal encompasses more than 4421 sq.
km, representing more than 37% of the total forested area. However, the Protected Area
(PA)network covers less than 5% of the total land area of the State and is largely concentrated in
North Bengal (10 out of 21 PAs) followed by South 24 Parganas (5), Nadia (2), Bardhaman (1), and
Birbhum (1); 9 out of 19 PAs have less than 5 sq. Km in each, barring Buxa and Sundarban Tiger
Reserve Area, rest of the PAs occupy only 25 % of the total area under conservation and little over
10% of the forest area. The list of PAs are noted in Table - 1.5

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Table - 1.5 : List of Protected Area (PA) in West Bengal

Name District Area in Sq. Km.


Balavpur Wildlife Sanctuary Birbhum 2.02
Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary Nadia 0.64
Bethudahari Wildlife Sanctuary Nadia 0.67
Buxa Wildlife Sanctury Jalpaiguri 314.52
Buxa National Park 117.00
Buxa Tiger Reserve 758.82
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctury Jalpaiguri 9.60
Garumara Wildlife Sanctuary Jalpaiguri 8.61
Garumara National Park 79.45
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary South 24 Parganas 3.501
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctury Jalpaiguri 216.502
Jorapukuri Wildlife Sanctuary Darjiling 0.04
Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctury South 24 Parganas 38.00
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Darjiling 158.043
Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary South 24 Parganas 0.10
Neora Valley National Park Darjiling 88.00
Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary Bardhaman 0.14
Raigunj Wildlife Sanctuary Uttar Dinajpur 1.30
Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary South 24 Parganas 362.00
Sinchal Wildlife Sanctuary Darjiling 38.88
Singhalila National Park Darjiling 78.60
Sundarban National Park South 24 Parganas
Sundarban Tiger Reserve 1592.40
Sunderban Biosphere Reserve 2585.10
Grand Total 4421.40
Tiger Reserve 3313.92
Other P.A. 1107.48
Total Geographical Area 8875000 sq. Km. Total Forest Area 11879 sq. km.
Source : Wild Life Wing, West Bengal Forest 1997 (1=1991 Statistics 5.95, 2 =Ibid 115.63, 3 =Ibid 127.22

India Eco-Development Project

Under the India Eco-development project, Buxa Tiger Reserve has been selected as one of the 10
PAs in the country. Its objective is to conserve bio-diversity by implementing eco development
strategy in and around the PAs, but restricted to two Km. radius from the PA boundary. This five
year long programme has been started from December 1996 and would terminate in December
2001. The project cost is estimated at US$ 8.4 million with major contribution from IDA credit (World
Bank)., Global Environment Facility and partially by grant from Government of India and West
Bengal. Villagers labour for the project is taken as contribution by project beneficiaries.

Phenomenal presence of chir-pine at the eastern edge of Batatam hills, occurrence of anti-cancer
drug yielding taxol in ewe trees in the upper and middle ranges of Darjiling region and the natural
forests of hemlock in Kalimpong hills call for special conservation measures. Similarly, the
Sundarbans, containing the largest mangrove diversity in this earth, also deserve conservation
measures.

Ex-situ Conservation of Flora

The Indian Botanical Garden was established on the west bank of the river Hugli at Shibpur near
Calcutta in 1787 by colonel Robert Kyd as East India Companys Garden. The garden remains as
one of the best and the largest in the country with a living repository of over 15,000 trees and many
shrubs distributed over 2350 species together with several thousand herbaceous plants. A number
of exotics were first introduced by colonial rulers through experimentation in this garden. The
gardens role in the introduction and in the spread of tea, rubber, mahogany, cinchona, jute, indigo,
sugarcane, teak and several other economic species over last 210 years is well documented. A
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significant collection of plants in the garden represent the flora of West Bengal. An account of
available plants in East India Companys Botanical Garden, Calcutta was published by J.O Voigt
under the title of Hortus Sundarbanuss Calcuttaensis in 1844.45. Apart from it an account of the
Serampur Botanical Garden (established by Rev Willam Carey circa 1800 AD) was published by
Willam Roxburgh (1814) under the title of Hortus Bengaleses, containing a catalogue of 3500
species. Besides these two Botanical Garden, the Agri-Horticultural Garden at Alipore, Calcutta and
Llyods Botanical Garden at Darjiling deserve special mention in this regard. It may be mentions that
the Agri-Horticultural Society succeeded Agricultural Society of India with Willam Carey as the
President (1824-26). The society encouraged collection of seed and experimentation in the garden
and had branches at four districts in undivided Bengal, besides its branches elsewhere. Introduction
of better varieties of exotics has till now remained as a major objective. The Lloyds Botanical
Garden at Darjiling was set up for plants of temperate conditions and continues to function till date.

The forest conservation Act, 1980 and the National Policy on Conservation of Natural Resources
has led to a series of plantation programme with local floral species in recent times. The number of
nurseries at the district level, largely initiated by State Forest Department supported by Non-
Government Organisations and village Panchayats have contributed towards the process of ex-situ
conservation of many Bengal plant such as sirish, kadam, kamranga, neem, kanchan, simul, palas,
sandal, chalta, gaub, anshphal, bot, dumur, kurchi, aam, bakul, karanj, putranjva, tentul, etc., which
were otherwise getting replaced by exotics. Such plantations are welcome ventures in the
conservation of flora.

Besides these ex-situ conservation efforts, collection of agricultural crops, specially rice, was first
initiated in West Bengal at Chinsurah farm. Ex-situ conservation of flora, both wild and cultivated,
such has had a long history in the state.

In-situ Conservation and Tribal Culture

Besides the governmental actions to designate protected area (PAs), the tribal communities have
had an old tradition of protection of plants. The cultural heritage of tribal groups involve the use of
bio resources in rituals performed both at the family and community levels. This in turn has led to
protection of several flora and fauna in the series of evanescent sacred groups in West Bengal. A
recent survey of five tribal groups in Medinipur district showed that, despite the process of
attenuation, the sacred groves are still maintained by tribal villagers. Nearly 50 species of
flowering plants are associated with rituals and are protected by such a tradition.

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