Behali Reserved Forest (Wildlife Sanctuary, preliminary notified)

One of the last preserved patches of intact forests left in the Biswanath district of Assam is the Behali Reserved Forest (Behali Wildlife Sanctuary).

About the reserve

Behali Forest was declared a reserve forest in 1917 and notified a Wild Life Sanctuary on 04 May 2022 (Preliminary Notification) with about 157 sq. km of total area. The forest has only recently been explored. Noteworthy is the work of Kafley (2016–17, revised), who studied elements of the fauna, reporting several interesting records from the reserve (49 mammals, 282 birds, 23 snakes, 11 turtles, 11 lizards, 12 amphibians, 275 butterflies) and flora by Borah et al. (2018–21, revised) as reflected in a series of publications attached below.

Species richness and unique elements of flora

So far, a total of 308 native plant species (updated) have been recorded in the BRF, representing about 10% of the erstwhile Flora of Assam by Kanjilal et al. (1934–1940). Several exotic elements, however, have also occupied degraded patches, but their complete inventory and distribution is under study. Recently, two new species, Chlorophytum assamicum (Asparagaceae) and Aristolochia assamica (Aristolochiaceae), and a new variety Peliosanthes macrophylla var. assamensis (Asparagaceae) have been described from the BRF as new to science. Interestingly, it is worth mentioning that Tupistra stoliczkana (Asparagaceae) and Citrus indica (Rutaceae) were rediscovered from this reserve forest a century later. Another two species (Pandanus unguifer and Galeola nudifolia) are new records for Assam. These discoveries and rediscoveries in the present era demonstrate the importance of the area in maintaining the unique natural elements and therefore the need to preserve its ecological integrity. Four of the native plants, Chlorophytum assamicum (Critically Endangered), Aristolochia assamica (Endangered), Elaeocarpus rugosus (Vulnerable), and Aglaia edulis (Near Threatened) belong to threatened categories according to IUCN, 2020. The reserve forest is classified as semi-evergreen forest (Champion & Seth 1968). Magnolia hodgsonii is the most dominant species in the northern part of the reserve, and Mesua ferrea at the southern boundaries. Other common species include: Bauhinia variegata, Elaeocarpus rugosus, E. varunua and Gynocardia odorata. Whereas, trees like Terminalia citrina, Magnolia griffithii, Litsea assamica, Horsfieldia kingii are rare. The forest is also divided into various habitat types, where pristine and virgin forests host a high species diversity, followed by secondary forests, rehabilitated forests, and open habitats (e.g. grasslands). Furthermore, the diversity of orchids in the reserve forest has been explored; they are represented by 37 species distributed in the canopy layer as well as in the ground layer. The genus Ficus is represented by the largest number of species (14), with habit ranging from the largest trees in the forest to strict epiphytes.

In addition to the high biodiversity, the BRF provides shelter to a number of ethnic communities in peripheral areas. More than 50% of its population is directly or indirectly dependent on the forest for their livelihood. One hundred different non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are reported to have been harvested by these fringe communities, the highest percentage being edible plants, followed by medicinal plants. A few selected wild edible plants, such as Gnetum gnemon and Lepionurus sylvestris, are the most preferred ones; they are collected by the local folk on every visit to the forest. From the economic perspective, however, most of the species have so far been unable to generate stable income. Gnetum gnemon, whose cones can reach up to INR 400/kg in a season lasting for 2–3 months in spring. Dried flowers of Mesua ferrea also reach INR 35/kg in early winter are two prioritized potential NTFPs. Aristolochia assamica, Aristolochia cathcartii, Hodgsonia macrocarpa and Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum have been reported with high use values indicating that these species are the most valuable plants collected from BRF.

Faunal diversity of Behali RF

The richness of this small forest patch can be gauged from the fact that it is inhabited by some of the endangered, vulnerable and endemic faunal species including Aceros nipalensis, Aceros undulatus, Arctictis binturong, Asarcornis scutulata, Bos gaurus, Buceros bicornis, Ciconia episcopus, Cuon alpinus, Cuora amboinensis, Cuora mouhotii, Elaeocarpus rugosus, Elephas maximus, Geoclemys hamiltonii, Hyelaphus porcinus, Leptoptilos javanicus, Lutrogale perspicillata, Melanochelys tricarinata, Neofelis nebulosa, Nilssonia gangeticus, Nilssonia hurum, Nycticebus bengalensis, Ophiophagus hannah, Panthera pardus, Porcula salvania, Python bivittatus, Rusa unicolor, Sterna aurantia, Trachypithecus pileatus, Ursus thibetanus and critically endangered ones Manis pentadactyla, Sarcogyps calvus and Nilssonia nigricans (Upadhaya & Bordoloi 2016-17).

Threats caused by human exploitation and the broader picture

"Although the erstwhile Sonitpur district had about 1200 sq. km of forest cover in official records, what is left on the ground and under the forest department’s control accounts for less than 400 sq. km. Of these, 200 sq. km is in Nameri National Park, 128 sq. km in Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary (satellite core of Nameri National Park) and about 60 sq. km in Behali Reserve Forest (out of the total 140 sq. km). The rest is either degraded or is being rapidly lost. This has resulted in severe human-elephant conflict leading to large-scale crop depredation and loss of human and elephant lives." Menon et al. (Rights of Passage, Elephant corridors of India).

As these foothills have been home to elephants since ages, abetted with passive pressure from the other side caused the elephants to settle there. This has repeatedly intensified the conflicts in a small area.

"For example, in the winter there is a group of about 80-100 elephants that moves from Behali and Singlijan Reserve Forests to the Brahmaputra via the Buroi and Borgang rivers in the dry season. On the way they raid crops and the harvest is done, they reach the chaporis (river islands) and stay there for a few days. On the chapori, they rest during the day and at dark emerge to eat the crops in the villages. The conflict has increased over the years. We’ve seen that they are starting to stay longer in the chaporis. Where before they would stay a month or two, now they stay 4-6 months. The herds are also bigger. We think that this is because of the disturbance to the forests in the north, theelephants feel safer on the chaporis. Recently, in the last two years or so, we have seen a new trend of elephant poaching for meat in the Behali and Singlijan areas. Brahmaputra’s have some tributaries such as the the Boroi, Jia Bhareli and Borgang. These tributaries also function as corridors: e.g. the Jia bhareli connects to Nameri National Park of the foothills and the Boroi and Borgang connects to Behali RF, then to Nameri NP and Pakke Tiger Reserve. A tiger we camera-trapped in Kaziranga, here on the river in 2012 was camera-trapped in Nameri in 2013. Last year, a tiger attacked people here on the north bank. The tigers come to the chaporis. It is to see and monitor this movement that we do the river corridor survey. The Brahmaputra is the main corridor for the wild animals. Elephants come at different times to the chaporis and damage houses. Some elephants come from Behali RF along the Boroi river corridor, stay on the Rangsali and Doloni chaporis on the Brahmaputra, then move back up along the Borgang river corridor. Not just the large mammals, many kinds of fish, turtles and dolphins also found here." Kashmira Kakati (Wildlife of the Brahmaputra)

Nevertheless, Behali RF is a corridor for various wild animals migrating to highlands during floods and, its lowlands also experience migrations of several animals, ensuring the safety of the existing harmony in the region. It is worth mentioning that the rescue operations of slow lorises, leopards, etc. have become more frequent in recent years.

The forest currently serves as the only habitat for a wide variety of important plant species (Citrus indica, Picrasma javanica, Homalomena aromatica, Mesua ferrea, etc.), to name but a few, and newly described plant species, threatened mammals (Capped Langur, Bengal Slow loris, Asian Elephant) and many more.

"However, illegal deforestation, which has been widespread for two or three decades along with extensive logging, firewood collection and occasional hunting, is one of the serious concerns and utmost threats to the survival of this forest. Encroachment in Behali R.F started from 1980. Nepali, Karbi, Bodo and Ex-tea garden communities encroached this R.F and constructed more than 1000 huts. In Behali reserved forest, people from Arunachal Pradesh have encroached huge area and have settled there by constructing permanent buildings. A.P govt. has constructed many Govt. Offices and Schools in this R. F by clearing large R. F areas." MC Bora (Natural Resource Management-Sustainable extraction level of forest products in Assam)

"The biggest mass encroachment was attempted at Behali RF in March 2009 when hundreds of trees were chopped off." Jay Mazoomdaar (Open, The Magazine)

Although the forest department has been active with protection measures, considering it to be a reserve forest, the manpower is very small and therefore inefficient in monitoring activities in all corners. Several proposals have been made to designate it a protected area, fulfilling its criteria but the issue of boundaries between the two neighbouring states, i.e. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, has been a serious obstacle towards considering its modernisation. Another non-governmental organization called “Nature’s Bonyopran” has been active for a long time to monitor the reserve from time to time. Over the last fifteen years, almost 50% of the biodiversity data have been compiled, with Mr. Parixit Kafley, a citizen scientist, playing an important role. He alone has achieved tremendous success in preserving the reserve through rigorous monitoring, documenting and making the locals aware of the importance and necessity of the reserve. He has also helped the authorities concerned with effective regulation and several researchers with thorough and in-depth study within BRF.

Conclusion

Bearing in mind the existence of the present diversity and records over these 3-10 years of study period, the reported number does not give a full picture of the total BRF inventory, which requires more rigorous and greater sampling efforts. The below listed articles however, may serve as a starting point for future ecological studies in BRF and its nearest protected and managed areas in Assam.

Publications from the reserve

Dipankar Borah, Sumpam Tangjang, Abhaya Prasad Das, Parixit Kafley, Anatoliy A. Khapugin. 2020. Native vascular flora of Behali Reserve Forest (Assam, India) with global IUCN Red list assessment of two endemic species. Contribuţii Botanice – 2020, LV: 27-48 DOI: 10.24193/Contrib.Bot.55.2.
Dipankar Borah, Sumpam Tangjang. 2020. Behali Reserve Forest of Assam, Northeast India – unique elements of flora, its threats and protection. In: Mieczysław Kunz. Role and Functioning of Landscape Parks in the Biosphere Reserves, Torun, Poland.
Dipankar Borah, Biswajit Das, Sumpam Tangjang, Abhaya Prasad Das, Anatoliy A. Khapugin. 2021. Assessment of woody species diversity and composition along a disturbance gradient in Behali Reserve Forest of Biswanath district, Assam, India. Ecological Questions 32(1): 1–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2021.009
Dipankar Borah, Momang Taram, Sumpam Tangjang, Ankur Upadhyaya, Noriyuki Tanaka. 2020. Peliosanthes macrophylla var. assamensis (Asparagaceae), a new variety from Behali Reserve Forest in Assam, Northeast India. Blumea 65: 121–125. (https://www.ipni.org/n/77211705-1). https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2020.65.02.05
Dipankar Borah, Noriyuki Tanaka, Leonid V. Averyanov, Momang Taram, Dilip Kumar Roy. 2020. Rediscovery of Tupistra stoliczkana (Asparagaceae) in northeastern India and the identity of T. ashihoi. Phytotaxa 443 (2): 207–210. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.443.2.8
Dipankar Borah, Sumpam Tangjang, Abhaya Prasad Das, Ankur Upadhaya, Puranjoy Mipun. 2020. Assessment of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Behali Reserve Forest, Assam, Northeast India. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 19:43 (2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.19.43.1-15
Dipankar Borah, Parixit Kafley, A.P. Das, Sumpam Tangjang and Leonid Averynov. 2019. Chlorophytum assamicum (Asparagaceae), a new species from Northeast India. Phytotaxa 394 (1): 123–125. (https://www.ipni.org/n/77195396-1) https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.394.1.12
Dipankar Borah, Momang Taram, A.P. Das, Sumpam Tangjang & Truong Van Do. 2019. Aristolochia assamica (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from the East Himalayas. Annales Botanici Fennici 56: 253-257. (https://www.ipni.org/n/77203350-1) https://doi.org/10.5735/085.056.0410
Dipankar Borah, Parixit Kafley, Sumpam Tangjang and A.P. Das. 2018. Population structure and conservation of endangered Citrus indica Yu.Tanaka (Rutaceae) in Behali Reserve Forest of Assam, India. Pleione 12(2): 181-186. 10.26679//Pleione.12.2.2018.181-186
Dipankar Borah, Khyanjeet Gogoi, Parixit Kafley, Niku Das and Sumpam Tangjang. 2021. Checklist of orchids of Biswanath district of Assam, India, with a new record for the state. Richardiana 5: 148-157.
Dipankar Borah, Puranjoy Mipun, Jintu Sarma, Chiranjib Mili, Deiji Narah. 2021. Quantitative documentation of traditionally used medicinal plants and their significance to healthcare among the Mishing community of Northeast India. Ecological Questions 32(4):1-62. https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2021.034
Dipankar Borah, Ranjit Kakati, Parixit Kafley, Dhananjay Das, Niku Das, Sunayan Borkakati, Nilim Kumar Saikia, Rupam Bhujel. 2021. Journey of a forest towards extinction: a multi-perspective approach for the demand to declare Behali Reserved Forest as a wildlife sanctuary. Zoo’s Print 36(10): 01–09.
Dipankar Borah, Babli Paul, Puranjoy Mipun, Sumpam Tangjang. 2021. Diversity and Composition of Herbaceous Component in Behali Reserve Forest of Biswanath District, Assam, India. Indian Journal of Ecology 48(5): 1335–1342.
Ranjit Kakati, Keshab Jyoti Borah. 2021. Deforestation: A Case study in Behali Reserved Forest, Assam, India. In book: Rejuvenating Environmental Studies, Publisher: Udayan Publication, Thomson Press
Dipankar Borah, Niku Das, Inda Mihu, Bipankar Hajong, Sumpam Tangjang. 2022. Diversity and composition of shrubs in Behali Reserve Forest of Biswanath district, Assam with special emphasis on Gnetum gnemon L. Ecological Questions 33(2): 1-19.