CONVERSATIONS WITH NATURE…. This Nature trail will take you through the rich biodiversity of the Mishing Village & will let you

experience the tradition and culture of the biodiversity conservation leaders- ‘The Mishing Community’

At the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark, our endeavour is to promote and showcase the rich biodiversity and culture of the Eastern Himalayan region; to preserve the area’s unique species and ecosystems and engaging with the communities to learn and exchange ideas of the native species and their habitats.

We at the Ark have built an intricate inter-dependent relationship with the Mishing community residing in a village located a short 20- minute drive from the Ark.

The Baligaon Mishing Village

The Baligaon Mishing village in Sonitpur district is Assam’s first green village. It is rich in history, tradition and culture of the Mishings. Guided and inspired by the Mishing village head- Kamison Mili, a man of the soil, to experience the hospitality and rich cultural heritage of local communities, the village today is a remarkable example of community conservation, rich in ethnobotanical plants, home garden farming,  handicrafts, traditional fishing, weaving culture and agricultural tools of the Mishing community.

Standing true to its title as Green village, it exemplifies clean and green living with a botanic garden of 700+ endemic species, efficient rainwater harvesting system waste management system and an ethnic way of life.

Through Conversations with Nature, engage & connect with different species of trees, vibrant butterflies, exotic birds and medicinal plants at the Mishing village and explore the rich

tradition of the community. As the locals open up their homes to allow travelers to explore the biodiversity abundance and the cultural heritage in the Eastern Himalayas.

A DAY AT THE BALIGAON MISHING GREEN VILLAGE

Welcome by the locals & An Introduction to the Mishing Community

Engage in compelling stories as the Mishing village head will take you through the history of clean Baligaon Mishing village and the community in Sonitpur district.

Conversations with Nature

The Baligaon Mishing Village is rich in indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge and has variety of medicinal plants in the village. The community will let you explore more about those plants and their relationship with the plants. Take a tourof the organic home garden and experience the traditional techniques for growing vegetables and fruits.

Handlooms & Handicrafts

Explore home exquisite handlooms of cotton handcrafted by the village women. The practices of weaving and bamboo works are some popular handicraft profession adopted by the Nyishi community.

Capturing Moments

As you explore the colorful traditional handlooms made by the community women, try those traditional attires. With the colourful dress, make your memories colourful too and capture the perfect moment.

Lifestyle and Chang Ghar

The culture and lifestyle of Mishing community reflect their belief in traditional values. As the the community narrate their lifestyle, experience the traditional Mishing hut built on stilts- Chang Ghar. A glimpse into their traditional tools and the fishing gears will add to their lifestyle picture.

The Ethnic Lunch by the River Bank/ Nyishi Hill

No one would ever want to miss the finger licking taste of Sai mod, pork and rice. And yes, who would not want to enjoy Nogin Apong and Poro Apong. Indulge in ethnic lunch with rice, boiled vegetables and fish.Dried fish and meat are also very popular dishes of the community.

Boating at Green Village Wetlands

For the adventure lover in you, enjoy a leisure time by boating and feel the breeze of the Eastern Himalayan region.

SOME OF THE IMPORTANT PLANTS THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE TRAIL:

Ficus hispid

Locally known as Takshek Leaves are used as vegetable to cook

pork dishes

Streblus Asper

Locally known as Shewra The Mishing people use the stem as

toothbrush

Sarcochlamys pulcherrima Locally known as Ombe/Notke The Mishing people consider the plant

as sacred plant They make special food item from the

tender leaves of the plant in any religious festival

Can be used in cold and fever as vegetable

Amaranthus caudatus

Locally known as Genek The Mishing people use the leaves

and tender shoots as vegetables Also used as feeder to animals for

high milk production

Tinospora cordifolia Locally known as Amarlota Stem juice is used in high fever and

also given in jaundice Leaves of the plant are rich in protein,

calcium and phosphorous The starch obtained from the roots

and stems are useful in diarrhea and dysentery

Flacourita indica

Locally known as ponial Leaves, fruits and bark are used The Mishing people use the leaves in

asthma, cough, dysentery, indigestion etc.

Bark is used for wood

Sr. Botanical name English Name Local Name1 Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. Ear leaf Acacia Acacia2 Albizia procera(Roxb.)Benth. White siris Koroi3 Alstonia scholaris(L.)R. Br. Indian Devil’s tree Sotiana4 Bauhinia sp.5 Bischofia javanica Bl. Javacedar/Vineger wood Urium6 Bombax ceiba L. Silk cotton tree Simalu7 Borassus flabellifer L. Asian palmyra palm Taal8 Ceratopteris thalictroides(L.)Brongniart Water horn fern9 Dicranopteris linearis(Burm.f.)Underw.10 Ehretia acuminata R. Br. Projar11 Ficus hispida Vahl. Rough-leaved fig Khoksa dimoru12 Ficus racemosa L. Cluster fig Jagya dimoru13 Heteropanax fragrans Seem Kochoru14 Hydrilla verticillata(L. f.)Royle Water thyme Panibirina15 Jatropha curcus L. Physic nut/Purging nut Bhotara16 Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.)Pers Queen Crape Myrtle Ajar17 Lantana camara L. Red sage Bonbahar18 Litsea glutinosa(Lour.)C.B. Robins Indian Laurel Bagnala19 Litsea monopetala(Roxb.)Pers Common Grey Mango Laurel Shualu20 Mallotus tetracoccus(Roxb.)Kurz. Rusty Kamala Moralia21 Melastoma malabathricum L. Blue tongue Futuka22 Melia azedarach L. China berry tree Ghora neem23 Neolamarckia cadamba(Roxb.)Bosser Burflower tree Kadam24 Ottelia alismoides(L.)Pers. Duck-lettuce Panikola

AnnexurePLANTS

AnnexureBIRDS IN THE NATUR WALK

English Name Scientific Name Local Name1. Blue throated barbet Megalaima asiatica Xeteluka2. Common myna Acridotheres tristis Xalika3. Black hooded oriole Oriolus xanthornus Xokhiyoti4. Spotted dove Spilopelia chinensis Kopou5. Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Bulbul6. Rufous treepie Dendroceita vagabunda Sekseki7. Asian koel (male and female) Eudynamys scolopaceous Kuli8. Oriental Magpie robin Copysychus saularis Dohikotora9. Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Bogoli10. Black rumped fameback Dinopium benghalense Kathkhuli11. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Fesu12. Indian roller Coracias benghalensis Nilakantha13. Hill mynah Gracula religiosa Pahari myna14. Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchus Kauri