Nokrek Biosphere Reserve. speak in a broad sense, speaking on behalf of the entire earth being a biosphere in which the global

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1 Group 2 Dr. Hamilton Bio /4/2009 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve The definition of the term biosphere can be referred to in several different ways. One may speak in a broad sense, speaking on behalf of the entire earth being a biosphere in which the global ecological system, the biosphere, can then be defined as that part of the terrestrial surface which is ordered by the flow of energy, mediated by photosynthetic processes. The term may also be coined in reference to a specific region, such as Nokrek, Meghalaya, India which is being specifically targeted by those who want to keep intact the natural ecological environment by designating it a national park. This is the case in which the nation park of Nokrek falls. There is an entire system that this region contains that has gone untouched by human nature, with plans to keep this virgin virtually unscathed by humans. To summarize what makes a biosphere, whether it be global or specific region, is summarized by the wide spread ideas of the term, identifying living organisms as functional entities, processing energy and matter, reproducing, interacting with each other and with the physical environment; and the idea that the entire biota, together with its physical environment, can be regarded as a single system.

2 (Web. PlaneMad/Wikipedia.) The highlighted area in Northeastern India is the individual state of Meghalaya. This state is broken down into districts based on the tribe that lives in the area. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located on the east border of the West Garo Hills, in between Tura and Williamnagar.

3 (Web. Meghalaya. ) Meghalaya, India was separated into three kingdoms, named after the ruling tribes of the areas. The tribes consisted of the Garo, the Khasi and the Jaintia. These Tribes ruled their own individual districts until they came under British imperial rule in 1835 and incorporated the current Meghalaya area, all three tribes kingdoms, with Assam. After India s independence in 1947, Meghalaya was given autonomous standing with Assam but this did not please the people of Meghalaya. Until Assam declared the spoken language to be Assamese in 1972, the plea for separation by Meghalaya was not heard. (Web. History of Meghalaya. ) Located in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India, The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located on the Tura mountain range, on the mountain with the tallest peak in the range, the Nokrek peak with and elevation of approximately 1,418m above sea level. (Web. Sidhva.) The park itself is nearly 50 sq. km. and is considered the core zone of the reserve Nokrek Biosphere Reserve or Nokrek National Park, was not until recently identified as a biosphere reserve along with two other newly identified Indian biosphere reserves. Nokrek is now one of twenty-two recognized by United Nations Educational Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO). Beyond the core zone is the buffer zone, which is an area of land to prevent as much human interaction with the core. In this buffer zone, there is the first Gene sanctuary, setup originally to preserve the rare citrus species Citrus indica, more commonly known by the locals as Memang Narang, found growing indigenously in the core zone. (Web. Malik.) The West Garo Hills is a large area bordering Bangladesh to the south, as well as Assam to the north. Originally all the Garos Hills districts were one large district until it was split into the East and West districts in 1976, the West district was again split because of its still large area into West and South districts in 1992 The total area of the district is 3714 sq. km. with a population of 518,390 with a number of 95,524 households. The literacy to illiteracy rate amongst the population is 2: 3 respectively. (Web. Garo Hills.)

4 There are several biospheres throughout the country of India. One of these biospheres is the Nokrek biosphere in Meghalaya India. This biosphere is an example of an undisturbed natural ecosystem. Nokrek biosphere is home to a variety of flora. It is hidden out in the country of India where it remains mostly untouched. The biosphere is a protected forest full of lush tall trees. The trees can create a canopy within the forest. The vegetation in the biosphere is important to the country. However, 10% of the indigenous plants in Nokrek are rare or endangered. The most important plant life found in this biosphere is the citrus life. Citrus plants are not uncommon in the area. In particular, one citrus plant found in the biosphere that is quite important is the Indian Orange. The more scientific name for the Indian Orange is Citrus Indica. This wild citrus plant is thought to be where all other citrus species in the world originated from. The biosphere was recently given the UNESCO heritage status in light of this. This status is applied to a place whenthe environment has to be just right with temperate weather and heavy rainfall to produce citrus plants. The Nokrek biosphere reserve has the right environment for producing a lot of citrus plants. The common names of other rare citrus plants that can be found in the area are the Melanesian sour orange, the lemon, and pummelo. The biosphere actually is used to protect the genes of these citrus plants. The Indian Orange protected within the biosphere has a gene pool that could potentially be used to produce the citrus commercially. These other rare or endangered citrus also have genes that the people in the area want to protect and save. There was a large amount of deforestation done in areas close to the biosphere. This created a problem with soil erosion. An alarming percentage of the reserve was destroyed to soil erosion. Cultivation done nearby also is a problem for the biosphere. Selective cultivation is being done on citrus plants near the biosphere. This is done for commercial production but it can interfere with the gene pool of the citrus plants that are being protected within the biosphere. The citrus growing in the biosphere is very abundant and important to the area but it is not all that is there. The biosphere is made up of forests. The forests within the biosphere are sub-tropical evergreen, tropical evergreen, tropical semi-evergreen and moist mixed deciduous. Also, there are bamboo patches growing in the areas where there is shifting cultivation. The shifting cultivation done in the area can cause

5 disturbances in the environment of reserve. The forests are important to the area but the citrus gene pool is the main focus of The main focuses in the reserve area is now not only observation and identification of endangered or rare species of flora and fauna, is the conservation of these species, as well as conservation of the entire biosphere from more than enough human involvement into the reserve core and even the buffer zones. With the newly appointed identification given to the region by UNESCO, the park will find more aid by international experts to help conserve the natural state of the park. The research that still continues in the area is meant to conserve and protect not only what is in the reserve, but in entire region of Meghalaya. The current research going on in the West Garo Hills district ranges from collection of citrus fruits (Web. Malik.) to rare bird spotting throughout the area (. The conservation of the flora and fauna of this area is extremely important. The citrus fruit Citrus indica, for example, is considered to be the most primitive citrus fruit to date. It is considered the parent for all other citrus fruits. The conservation of this fruit is vital to connection between maybe all citrus. Even with the intentions of conservation and research, there is still room for those looking for a getaway. Just throwing Nokrek, West Garo Hills, or Meghalaya into the google search bar will bring up countless sites with intentions to help book a trip to the area. In a land of conservation there still remains much to do for a tourist. There are mountain treks ranging from a day trip all the way to a weeklong trip. The treks can go along the Tura peak to the Nokrek peak and beyond. Along with mountain trekking, there are many caves throughout the Garo hills districts, such as Tetengkol Balwakol or the Siju Cave, that can provide ample opportunity for exploration and adventure. After caving, one can travel to the Nokrek National park for a guided tour of all the flora and fauna throughout the park. Finally after visiting the park and taking a week long trek of the mountains, the waterfalls of Imil-Chang-Dare,

6 Rong bang Falls and Pelga Falls can provide a very relax environment. Unfortunately the Nokrek are does not provide much lodging but there is lodging mostly in the capital of Shillong. Bibliography Borah, Amarjyoti. Local Citrus goes Global. India Environmental Portal, 30 Jan Web. 02 Nov < Collection and Characterization of Citrus indica Tanaka and C. macroptera Montr.: Wild Endangered Species of Northeastern India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution: web. 01 November < Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. Mesmerizing Meghalaya. Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. Web. 2 November History of Meghalaya. North-eastindia.com. web. 2 November Malik, Chaudhury, Dhariwal and Kalia. Collection and characterization of Citrus indica Tanaka and C. macroptera Montr.: wild endangered species of northeastern India. Google scholar. Web. 2 November Meghalaya. Rhinotravels.net. Web. 2 November (permission pending) Negi, S.S. Biosphere reserves in India: landuse, biodiversity and conservation. Google books. Indus publishing company November =false. PlaneMad/Wikipedia. Meghalaya locator map. file:///e:/bio/nokrek/india%20map.htm. Web. 1 November (Permission given on page) Sidhva, Shiraz. Tigers and Men. UNESCO (2009). UNESCO. Seville +5: International Meeting of Experts. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. UNESCO (2001) November West Garo Hills. National Informatics Centre. Web. 28 Sept

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