Guwahati: A new scientific study has revealed the extensive use of wild plants and animals in the local markets of Sonitpur district, Assam, raising urgent questions about sustainable harvesting, biodiversity conservation, and the future of indigenous knowledge systems.
The study, published this week in Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, documents 79 species of wild plants and 14 wild animal species being sold in seven rural markets across the district. Conducted by researchers from the Balipara Foundation, Bodoland University, and Tezpur University, the year-long investigation (February 2022 to March 2023) provides the first systematic market-level account of Sonitpur’s informal wild bioresource economy.
Most of these wild products are harvested and sold by tribal communities, who depend on local biodiversity for nutrition, medicine, income, and cultural rituals. The research team found that 50% of the plant species are consumed as wild edibles, while 27% are used in traditional medicine, known locally as Kabiraji. Others are used as firewood, for making brooms, baskets, mats, and fermented delicacies.
“The scale and diversity of wild bioresources in these markets are remarkable,” said Chandra Bahadur Darji, lead author and researcher at the Balipara Foundation. “This shows how tribal livelihoods are intertwined with the forest, but also how vulnerable these ecosystems are to overuse.”
Species documented include Houttuynia cordata, Centella asiatica, Bambusa tulda, Amomum maximum, and wild mushrooms like Lentinula edodes. Many of these are also known for their therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-diabetic effects. Among the animals sold were freshwater fish, snails, crabs, and even eels—collected from nearby wetlands, rivers, and forest streams.
Markets surveyed include Bhalukpong, Borsola, Chariduar, Chowk Bazar, Lokra, Mission Chariali, and 5 Mile. These marketplaces function as regional trade hubs and cultural exchange spaces, where forest produce is sold openly, and often without regulatory oversight.
Importantly, the study also catalogues 12 species used for firewood and 15 species used in household handicrafts—indicating that wild bioresources support not just food and medicine but also essential aspects of rural economies.
While the research underscores the richness of Assam’s biodiversity and the deep traditional knowledge that supports its use, it also raises alarms.
“There is very little monitoring of what is harvested, how frequently, and whether it’s sustainable,” said Sanjib Baruah, co-author and botanist at Bodoland University. “As demand grows, we risk depleting species that have long been part of community life.”
The paper calls for conservation strategies that are community-led and knowledge-integrated. Instead of blanket bans or top-down restrictions, the authors suggest participatory approaches that include tribal elders, herbal practitioners, and local market committees in decision-making.
Assam falls within one of the most biodiverse regions of India, sharing borders with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, and forming a key part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Sonitpur itself features tropical forests, wetlands, and bamboo groves—ideal habitats for the species being collected.
The authors say the findings underscore the need for conservation strategies that integrate indigenous knowledge and promote sustainable use, ensuring both ecological balance and socio-economic well-being for future generations.
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