Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) used by Garo tribe of Rongram block in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya

151-161The forests of Garo Hills, Meghalaya has a rich diversity of Non-timber forest products which contribute in different ways for the livelihood of the villagers. The objective of the study is to construct socio-economic profile and to document the available NTFPs in the study area. Present study was carried out in 12 villages of Rongram block in West Garo Hills district viz. Baljek agal, Dorenggre, Bolbokgre, Masumatagre, Waribok, Asanang, Tebronggre, Rombagre, Chibragre, Wakringtonggre, Chandigre and Sakalgre. Data were collected from randomly selected 288 households using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. All the households from the 12 villages reported collection of NTFPs. A total of 50 plant species which belongs to 36 families and 50 genera were recorded. Maximum number of plants were recorded for fuelwood (25), followed by wild vegetables with 13 species, wild fruits and medicinal plants with 11 species each, fodder with 6 species, broom with 2 species and 1 species each for thatching and wrapping material. Other NTFPs like mushroom and honey were also collected by the villagers for their livelihood. The study reveals that the Garos are blessed with abundant natural resources of NTFPs with which they can develop their way of living mainly by fuelwood and honey business in a sustainable way

Phytochemical analysis, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Alstonia scholaris from Mizoram, India

The Devil’s tree (Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.), a member of the Apocynaceae family, is recognised in various traditional systems for its efficacy in treating several diseases. In the Mizo traditional medicines of India, the bark extract is utilised as a remedy for bacterial and parasitic infections, among other ailments. To validate the therapeutic claim of the Mizo people, a methanolic extract of the bark was prepared and its chemical composition was analysed. The extract was found to contain alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phytosterols, saponins, tannins, and reducing sugars. The antioxidant components of the extract were quantified, revealing a phenolic content of 13.563±0.09 mg/g quercetin equivalent, a flavonoid content of 31.64±2.50 mg/g gallic acid equivalent, and a total antioxidant of 10.48±0.84 mg/g ascorbic equivalent. These findings underscore the plant’s cellular protective capacity. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-1-picryldrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The plant extract exhibited significant antioxidant properties, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 11.01 against free radicals generated from the DPPH reaction. Notably, the extract demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, as well as Gram-positive species such as Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. This study establishes A. scholaris as a medicinal plant with promising antimicrobial and pharmacological properties, containing chemical components that can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes