Group 2 Dr. Hamilton Bio 110 10/4/2009 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve ...

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There are several biospheres throughout the country of India. One of these biospheres is the Nokrek biosphere in Meghalaya India. This biosphere is an example of an undisturbed natural ecosystem. Nokrek biosphere is home to a variety of flora. It is hidden out in the country of India where it remains mostly untouched. The biosphere is a protected forest full of lush tall trees. The trees can create a canopy within the forest. The vegetation in the biosphere is important to the country. However, 10% of the indigenous plants in Nokrek are rare or endangered. The most important plant life found in this biosphere is the citrus life. Citrus plants are not uncommon in the area. In particular, one citrus plant found in the biosphere that is quite important is the Indian Orange. The more scientific name for the Indian Orange is Citrus Indica. This wild citrus plant is thought to be where all other citrus species in the world originated from. The biosphere was recently given the UNESCO heritage status in light of this. This status is applied to a place whenThe environment has to be just right with temperate weather and heavy rainfall to produce citrus plants. The Nokrek biosphere reserve has the right environment for producing a lot of citrus plants. The common names of other rare citrus plants that can be found in the area are the Melanesian sour orange, the lemon, and pummelo. The biosphere actually is used to protect the genes of these citrus plants. The Indian Orange protected within the biosphere has a gene pool that could potentially be used to produce the citrus commercially. These other rare or endangered citrus also have genes that the people in the area want to protect and save. There was a large amount of deforestation done in areas close to the biosphere. This created a problem with soil erosion. An alarming percentage of the reserve was destroyed to soil erosion. Cultivation done nearby also is a problem for the biosphere. Selective cultivation is being done on citrus plants near the biosphere. This is done for commercial production but it can interfere with the gene pool of the citrus plants that are being protected within the biosphere. The citrus growing in the biosphere is very abundant and important to the area but it is not all that is there. The biosphere is made up of forests. The forests within the biosphere are sub-tropical evergreen, tropical evergreen, tropical semi-evergreen and moist mixed deciduous. Also, there are bamboo patches growing in the areas where there is shifting cultivation. The shifting cultivation done in the area can cause
disturbances in the environment of reserve. The forests are important to the area but the citrus gene pool is the main focus of The main focuses in the reserve area is now not only observation and identification of endangered or rare species of flora and fauna, is the conservation of these species, as well as conservation of the entire biosphere from more than enough human involvement into the reserve’ “core” and even the “buffer” zones. With the newly appointed identification given to the region by UNESCO, the park will find more aid by international experts to help conserve the natural state of the park. The research that still continues in the area is meant to conserve and protect not only what is in the reserve, but in entire region of Meghalaya. The current research going on in the West Garo Hills district ranges from collection of citrus fruits (Web. Malik.) to rare bird spotting throughout the area (. The conservation of the flora and fauna of this area is extremely important. The citrus fruit Citrus indica, for example, is considered to be the most primitive citrus fruit to date. It is considered the “parent” for all other citrus fruits. The conservation of this fruit is vital to connection between maybe all citrus. Even with the intentions of conservation and research, there is still room for those looking for a getaway. Just throwing Nokrek, West Garo Hills, or Meghalaya into the google search bar will bring up countless sites with intentions to help book a trip to the area. In a land of conservation there still remains much to do for a tourist. There are mountain treks ranging from a day trip all the way to a weeklong trip. The treks can go along the Tura peak to the Nokrek peak and beyond. Along with mountain trekking, there are many caves throughout the Garo hills districts, such as Tetengkol Balwakol or the Siju Cave, that can provide ample opportunity for exploration and adventure. After caving, one can travel to the Nokrek National park for a guided tour of all the flora and fauna throughout the park. Finally after visiting the park and taking a week long trek of the mountains, the waterfalls of Imil-Chang-Dare,
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Group 2 Dr. Hamilton Bio 110 10/4/2009 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve ...

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