Traditional Conservation Practices in Hailakandi District, Barak Valley of Assam, India T.U. Khan* 1 , B. Chowdhury 2 and S.K. Borthakur 3 1 Department of Botany, S.S. College, Hailakandi-788151, Assam, India 2 Department of Botany, Hailakandi Jr. Science College, Hailakandi, Assam, India 3 Department of Botany, Gauhati University,Guwahati-781014.Assam.India *Corresponding Author, E-mail :tuk_gu1@yahoo.com [Received revised 21.05.2011; Accepted 05.06.2011] Abstract In the present paper a total of 70 home gardens plants belonging to 38 families have been presented along with their locality, habitat, mode of propagation and uses have been reported. Majority of these plants are traditionally conserved to use as medicine, edible fruits, timber and ornamental garden plants. Key words: Traditional conservation, Home garden, Hailakandi, uses INTRODUCTION The district Hailakandi is situated in the Barak Valley of Assam and covers an area of 1327 sq km. It falls between 24 0 8" and 25 0 8" N latitude and 92 0 15" & 93 0 15" E longitude and an altitude of about 39 - 40 meter above MSL. The district is a heterogeneous land, composed of hills, low lands and plains. The district is humid and sub-tropical in nature and cold climate in winter. Rainy season generally starts from April and continues till September. More than 70% of total rainfall is received during May to August and December was the coolest month and July is the warmest month. Maximum temperature ranged from 19.60 0 C to 33.52 0 C and 19.04 0 C to 35.5 0 C during 2005 – 2006 and 2006 – 2007, minimum temperature ranged from 12.18 0 C to 27.59 0 C and 10.78 0 C to 27.21 0 C during 2005 – 2006 and 2006 – 2007 respectively. The average annual rainfall of the district is below 500 mm, mean annual relative humidity is 78 – 85%. The sunshine hour was relatively low during the months of July to September. The physicochemical characteristics of soil are sandy-loam, acidic, rich in organic carbon, low in nitrogen and medium in phosphorus content. The soil pH is ranging between 5.0 and 5.6. Kanjilal et al (1934 – 1940) had reported the predominant flora of Barak Valley. Reports on the status of medicinal plants of Barak valley, Assam have been studied by Saha & Dutta (2001). Some ethnobotanical studies on north east tribes in relation to the medicinal plants have already been emphasized by several workers (Borthakur 1976, 1981, 1992; Bhattacharjee 1980; Dutta & Dutta 2001). However, very little work has been done on the home gardens of Barak valley, although its importance has been highlighted by different workers (Gliessmen1989; Saha & Dutta 2001). Therefore, in the present work an attempt has been made to explore traditional conservation of medicinal plants in home gardens of Hailakandi district, Barak valley of Assam and their uses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Different areas in the Hailakandi district, Barak valley of Assam were surveyed during 2005 – 2009. The places include viz. Algapur, Chandipur ,Pedalapunji, Sirispore, Bhatirkupa, Ujankupha, Nitainagar, Katakhal, Chiporsangan, Mohanpur, Ghulalia, Narainpur, Lala, Tantu, Nischintapur, Ainakhal, Rajyeswarpur, Sudarshanpur, Bandukmara, Kalacherra, Samarikuna, Sonapur, Borokhai, Rupacherra, Rongpur, Dholai-molai, Matijuri, Sahabad, Krishnapur, Lalacherra, Katlicherra, Pleione 5(1): 142 - 147. 2011. ISSN: 0973-9467 © East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy