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Based on a collection housed at LWG (Herbarium of CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India), collected by Singh et al. on 25 June 2017 from Nagaland state of India, Pouzolzia friisii A.Gupta & V.Wagh sp. nov. (Urticaceae) is described and illustrated. The species resembles Pouzolzia sanguinea var. fulgens, P. niveotomentossa and P. australis in its serrated leaf margins and the indumentum on the abaxial leaf surface however, P. friisii is quite distinct in its grayish or pale yellowish indumentum, 4‐merous sessile male flowers and densely pubescent fruiting perianths without wings and ribs. A detailed description, illustration, distribution map, and information on ecology, as well as phenology are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyptothorax pongoensis, sp. n. is described from the Yongmon River in Nagaland, India. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following combination of characters: an ovate-shaped thoracic adhesive apparatus with skin ridges present over the entire apparatus, including the subulate-shaped median depression; presence of plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral fin spine and the first ray of the pelvic fin; W-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; dorsal-fin origin nearer to the snout tip than to the origin of the adipose fin; posterior margin of dorsal spine rugose with 4–5 ridges, tuberculate skin, and nasal barbel not reaching eye when adpressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psilorhynchus kosygini, a new species, is described from the Tepuiki River, a tributary of the Barak drainage in Nagaland, north-east India. The new species, belonging to the P. homaloptera species group, is characterised by possessing a unique pattern of 3–4 scales positioned along the mid-ventral region between the posterior base of the pelvic fin and the anal opening, body elongate with 41–42 scales along the lateral line, 14 scales in the pre-dorsal region, 8 scales around the caudal peduncle and 9–10 branched pectoral-fin rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of medicinal plants for managing diabetes and related conditions has been an integral part of traditional healthcare systems throughout the world including Nagaland, India. Authentic identification of these medicinal plants is crucial for their safe and effective use. A study was aimed for authentic identification of some anti-diabetic potential ethnomedicinal plants from Nagaland, India using DNA sequence based molecular characterization by amplifying and sequencing of ITS, rbcL and matK barcode regions. DNA barcode loci from the nuclear and chloroplast genomes from 15 different ethnomedicinal anti-diabetic plants of Nagaland, India, were studied for molecular characterisation. Based on the ITS, rbcL and matK region sequences, three main discrimination methods, i.e., BLAST, Phylogenetic tree and genetic distance, were adopted to identify the species. Utilising DNA markers for identification is both highly advantageous and efficient due to its reliability and rapidity. Successful amplification across species and high blast hits (100 % identity) highlighted their potential for molecular characterisation. Phylogenetic trees constructed using various models showed distinct clades and subclades, with matK revealing hypervariability and rbcL demonstrating consistent matches. Genetic distances revealed varying levels of similarity, with certain species establishing close relationships based on pairwise comparisons. GC% variations were detected, potentially indicating nucleotide composition differences and functional constraints among species genomes. The findings of this study highlight that the ITS, rbcL , and matK regions serve as effective markers for verifying the authenticity of anti-diabetic medicinal plants indigenous to Nagaland, India. [Display omitted] • DNA markers based species identification of 15 antidiabetic plants from Nagaland. • ITS, matK and rbcL based identification complemented with phonological identification. • Consistency in rbcL and matK regions showing reliability as DNA barcode markers. • Sequence length variations attributed to genomic differences among plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted on August 2020 to study the diversity of fishes in Dikhu River under Longleng District, Nagaland. The fish species were collected and for identification systematic list and while nomenclature was after FishBase (http//www.fishbase.org). A total of 11 species of fishes, representing 5 orders (Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Perciformes, Synbranchiformes and Anguilliformes), 9 families (Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, Sisoridae, Siluridae, Heteopneustidae, Bagridae, Mastacembelidae, Anguillidae, Channidae) and 11 genera were collected from the Dikhu River, Longleng District. Among the fish species collected from the river, the order Cypriniformes composed of 37% was the most dominant, followed by Siluriformes composed of 27%, Perciformes composed of 18% and the remaining order Synbranchiformes, Anguilliformes composed of 9% and the number of individual species was highest from the order Cyprinformes (Devio aequipnatus sp.). The short term study does not cover up all the fish species that are found in the river. Therefore, the further study on the diversity of fish can be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fritillaria crassicaulis S.C. Chen. (Liliaceae) is collected for the first time from Nagaland, India. This species so far is known from South‐Central China and Nepal. A detailed description along with field photograph, illustration, and key to Indian species of Fritillaria is provided for easy identification in the field. We also designate lectotypification for the name, Fritillaria crassicaulis S.C. Chen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 highlighted interconnections between matters of identity and citizenship, vulnerability, and inclusion in/exclusion from systems of care in times of crisis. Migrant workers from Nagaland state, northeast India, were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic's socioeconomic consequences. The public health emergency brought into question who is 'Indian' and the citizenship rights attached to that identity, heightening migrants' exclusion from central structures. Communitarian responses in Nagaland enhanced resilience in the face of often inadequate government responses; however, COVID‐19 also exposed structural inequalities within and between Naga communities. This study shows that identity‐based citizenship regimes and multi‐nation federalism interact to increase minorities' exclusion during crises, and that crises can strengthen both divisions and solidarity at the local level in multi‐nation federal systems. Inclusion in and exclusion from systems of care are shaped by and can reshape notions of identity and citizenship, underlining the need for inclusive sociopolitical systems to mitigate crises in multi‐nation federal states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys were conducted in five districts of Nagaland to collect crop legumes grown in Jhum fields and home gardens. Ten crop legumes, namely Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC, Glycine max (L.) Merr, Lablab purpureus L., Mucuna prurita (L.) DC, Phaseolus lunatus L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L., Vicia faba (L.) D.C, Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and H. Ohashi and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp were commonly cultivated. Vigna unguiculata and Vigna umbellata were the most popularly grown beans. Root nodule was observed in all nine crop legumes except for Vicia faba. The nodules were of the determinate type. Number of root nodules and nodule size varies with the species. Large nodules were found in Canavalia gladiata, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, and Mucuna prurita with the mean size of 5.15 ± 0.617 mm, 4.93 ± 0.115 mm, and 4.83 ± 0.289 mm. The smallest was in Vigna umbellata, with 1.45 ± 0.610 mm. Root nodule endophytes belonging to Rhizobium sp. were isolated from three popular crop legumes, namely, V. umbellata, V. unguiculata, and P. vulgaris. The study underscores the importance of further research on the crop legume symbiotic association with native root nodulating bacteria (rhizobia) for crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was designed to examine associations among measures of stress, social support, and symptoms at midlife. Specifically, the study examined whether support buffered against the negative effects of stress on severity of symptoms grouped via factor analyses into emotional instability, vaso‐somatic symptoms, mood disturbances, and aches and pains. Methods: We used cross‐sectional data from n = 119 women aged 40–55 in Nagaland, India. Midlife symptoms were measured with the help of questionnaires, and factor analysis was used to identify latent factors. Stress and social support were measured by Perceived Stress Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, respectively. Chronic stress was measured by fingernail cortisol. Results: After adjusting for menopausal status, tobacco use, body mass index, and socioeconomic status, cortisol level was positively associated with emotional instability (p < 0.01), vaso‐somatic symptom score (p < 0.05), and total symptoms at midlife (p < 0.05). Familial support was negatively associated with emotional instability (p < 0.05) and total symptoms at midlife (p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were observed with spousal or friend support. Although no significant interactions between stress, social support, and symptoms at midlife were observed, spousal support when stratified as high and low support using the means, perceived stress and vaso‐somatic symptoms indicated an interaction. Conclusion: Cortisol level and support from family were independently associated with symptoms at midlife. The study highlights the importance of family ties and support for navigating the stressors of everyday life among women in Nagaland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifting cultivation (Jhum) continues to be a dominant mode of food production in Northeast India, including the district of Wokha, Nagaland. Assessing how changes in shifting cultivation impact social, economic, and cultural advances is crucial for understanding the impact of modernization and development on traditional agricultural practices. Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change is essential for creating policies to ensure the food security of the growing population in Wokha, especially for managing the usage and management of water assets in the region. We assess changes in LULC and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) over the last few decades in the Wokha district of Nagaland, India, using the Landsat images for 1993, 2003, 2013, and 2022. In order to detect LULC changes, we apply Supervised Classification using the Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) technique in ERDAS Imagine by classifying six major LULC types: Forest, Waterbodies, Built-up Areas, Barren Land, Cropland, and Grassland. Our results reveal that the Forests were reduced from 74.23% in 1993 before the construction of Doyang Dam to 66.28% in 2022 post dam construction, whereas Grassland significantly increased from 16.12% in 1993 to 26.56% in 2022. At the same time Built-up Areas, Barren Land, and Waterbodies also increased between 1993 and 2022. In NDVI analysis, high vegetation has significantly decreased from 26.94% in 1993 to 18.26% in 2022. At the same time, low vegetation has increased from 5.73% in 1993 to 13.43% in 2022. Our observations of alterations in LULC and Vegetation Mapping can provide the government and policymakers with valuable data for the formulation of effective policies focussing on land management development for Wokha district from a financial perspective that can enhance district-level engagement and increase both the quality and quantity of agricultural output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the knowledge level of kiwi growers and its determinants in Nagaland. The study was conducted among kiwi growers in Phek district of Nagaland during 2023-24 and the sample size was 120. A knowledge test index was adapted with suitable modification. More than half of the respondents were above 50 years of age, majority were illiterate, had marginal size of land under kiwi, had ‘medium’ farming experience and had an average annual income of Rs. 139391.67. The findings of the study concluded that majority of the respondents had ‘fair or moderate’ level of knowledge on kiwi cultivation and the determinants of knowledge level on kiwi cultivation were education, extension contact, training exposure & farming experience.

Wild legumes are widely distributed and better adapted to extreme agro-climatic conditions because of their soil microbiota. In the present study, Root Nodulating Bacteria (RNB) were isolated from wild legumes and analysed for their abiotic stress tolerant and Plant Growth Promoting Traits (PGPT). Rhizobial strains were identified based on their 16S rRNA sequences. A total of 14 rhizobial species were characterized based, of which six were Rhizobium (AIS3, AIS9, AIR14, LUMCR3, LUMVRW4, LUMVRW8), four belongs to Burkholderia (AIS12, MOLKCS15, CHMP9, CHMP10) and one each of genera Cupriavidus (LUMMD12) , Herbaspirillum (LUMVRW4) , Paraburkholderia (CHMP1) and Ralstonia (LUMDes9). Stress tolerance analysis found most of the strains are to be tolerant to alkaline pH (9–11) where highest tolerance exhibited by Rhizobium sp. (strain AIS9) and Burkholderia territorii (strain MOKCS15). Seven Rhizobial strains were able to thrive at lower temperature stress (10 and 20 °C); while, strains AIS9, CHMP1 and LUMMD21 were able to grow at higher temperature (40 and 50 °C). Most of the isolate could tolerate salinity stress up to 1.5 %; but, only isolates AIS9, AIS12 and LUMMD12 could tolerate 2 and 2.5 % salt concentrations. The PGPT analyses found LUMCR3 having the highest IAA production potentiality (102.5 µg/ml); while, isolate MOKCS15 exhibited highest phosphate solubilizing activity (4.1 Phosphate Solubilization Index). The RNB isolates in the present study exhibited both stress tolerance and PGP traits indicating their potential use as biofertilizer under extreme agronomic conditions to improve productivity. [Display omitted] • A total 14 rhizobial RNB isolated from the root nodules of 8 wild legumes from Nagaland. • Rhizobial strains were found to have abiotic stress (pH, salt, temperature) tolerance abilities. • Rhizobial isolates also showed IAA production and PSB traits. • First report nodulating ability of Burkholderia sp. isolated from Aeschynomene americana nodules. • First report on RNB from Vigna nepalensis (Herbaspirillum sp. and Rhizobium sp). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, Elspeth Iralu initiates a time-travelling correspondence with her paternal grandfather, Vichazelhu Iralu, about his dreams for the Naga sovereignty movement. The letter grieves the loss of personal and political archives that were stolen, disappeared, and destroyed through processes of colonization. Iralu offers letter-writing, shaped by Naga modes of storytelling, as an anticolonial epistemology that enacts Naga sovereignty in the here and now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed changes in herb, shrub and tree composition of Coal mining-affected forest (CMAF) area in relation to a community reserve forest designated as Non-affected forest (NAF) of Changki village, Nagaland, Northeast India. In all the three plant life forms, Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson's diversity index and Margalef richness index showed higher species diversity and richness in NAF compared to CMAF while Sorenson's index reveals a low species similarity between the sites. Pielou's evenness was higher at NAF and a contiguous pattern was prominently distributed in both the forest. The family Poaceae, Asteraceae and Cyperaceae dominated the CMAF while Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Poaceae dominated NAF. The NAF has greater plant density compared to CMAF and the IVI shows the dominant status of native tree Terminalia myriocarpa in the Northeastern tropical forest. Weeds like Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa and Drymaria cordata were prominently distributed in CMAF while Abarema clypearia, Inula cappa and Strobilanthes coloratus has been obstructed by mining. The result imparted that the plant diversity of Nagaland tropical forests are under threat due to coal mining which has reduced the vegetation diversity and induce the loss of dominant plant species. As such, regulation of mine waste, land reclamation projects, robust forest management and bioremediation can be scientifically integrated to reduce the mining repercussion effects. Moreover, the result emphasizes the need to impart the tribal knowledge of preserving natural forest to the upcoming generations and develop conservation strategies to prevent further degradation or loss of biodiversity in this part of the Indo-Burma hotspot region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showed changing patterns in the plant species composition, diversity, and carbon storage potential of different forests along altitudinal gradients (i.e. 100 – 1900 m) in Eastern Himalayan India. Different tree, shrub and herb species were sampled along the altitudinal gradients ranging from tropical to temperate forests through Nested Plot design. In each forest, vegetation sampling was made by establishing a permanent plot of 250 m × 250 m as per ISRO-GBP/NCP-VCP protocol. Individuals of trees ≥10 cm girth at breast height (GBH), shrubs and herbs were recorded in 4, 8 and 16 subplots of 31.62 m × 31.62 m, 5 m × 5 m and 1 m × 1 m, respectively. Community attributes such as species richness, density, basal area, diversity indices and biomass and carbon storages were computed for each study site. A total of 5 forest communities (2 each from tropical and subtropical and one from temperate forest) were identified. The woody species diversity was highest in the subtropical forest followed by tropical and temperate forest. Altitude played an important role in the Eastern Himalayan Mountains in the establishment and distribution of forest community. Forest community composition changes with elevation, for instance, the dominant communities like Dipterocarpus retusus–Phoebe goalparensis–Schima wallichii (D-P-S), Gmelina arborea–Schima wallichii-Duabanga grandiflora (G-S-D), Schima wallichii–Duabanga grandiflora–Alstonia scholaris (S-D-A), Alstonia scholaris–Terminalia myriocarpa–Bischofia javanica (A-T-B) and Acer thomsonii–Rhodendron arboreum–Quercus lamellose (A-R-Q) were present at elevational ranges of 100–300 m, 300–700 m, 700–1100 m, 1100–1500 m and 1500–1900 m, respectively. The study showed that about 41–57% of the tree species exhibited good regeneration followed by 23–30% as fair, 6–16% as poor, and 6–21% species did not show regeneration along the altitudinal gradient. The total biomass carbon (Mg C ha−1) varied from 84.74 to 163.56 in tropical, 103.12 – 156.41 in subtropical and 133.05 in temperate forest. In conclusion, community composition, regeneration pattern and biomass carbon storage changes along altitude because of altered biophysical characteristics. However, despite variations in elevation, factors for forest disturbance at different altitudes significantly contributed to the community attributes and overall accumulation of biomass carbon. Hence, the traditional management practices carried out by local communities also play a crucial role in shaping the structure, composition, and carbon dynamics of forest ecosystems. Understanding the impacts of these practices is essential for promoting sustainable forest management by conserving forests and preserving carbon stocks for mitigating climate change in future. This study emphasizes the importance of long-term forest monitoring to promote biodiversity conservation and formulate conservation strategies that support sustainable forest management policies to which ensure continuous provision of ecosystem services in the region.

This article expands the study of museums and public culture in postcolonial South Asia and the Global South through an exploration of non-state house museums in contemporary Nagaland, a state in north-east India that is Indigenously inhabited, predominantly Christian, and was home to an armed movement for political autonomy over 1953–97. It demonstrates that the political significance of the Naga house museum as a site of history, heritage and identity rendered invisible in state-funded exhibitionary arenas that display an essentialist image of Naga Indigeneity is not only anchored to the labour of non-state actors, but also to the open-ended and oscillating ties between ritual and secular frames of exhibition and reception that animate it within an expanded field of visual and exhibitionary cultures. In doing so, this article challenges the dominant European and North American imaginary of the historic house as the basis for normative understandings of the house museum. If canonical accounts of house museums focus on their 'museumness', this study seeks to foreground the 'houseness' of the house museum in postcolonial South Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock rearing and agriculture are the primary and integral parts of livelihood among the indigenous people of Nagaland, India. A significant improvement towards the socio-economic status of the people is attributed to piggery farming. This work highlights the various wild fodder plants (WFPs) found in Wokha and Zunheboto districts of Nagaland. The survey revealed a major involvement of women's community in backyard piggery rearing. A total of 64 WFPs, belonging to 33 families were documented, identified and assessed. A major portion of WFPs was collected from forests (31%) and secondary succession fields (23%). The habits of WFPs mainly belonged to herbs (56%) and shrubs (26%). The main constituent of the plant parts used comprised of leaves (36%). Normalized Difference Vegetation Index revealed a high percentage of the land area under the class thick vegetation with 51.9% and 59.14%, and overall accuracy of 90% and 87.5% for Wokha and Zunheboto, respectively. The pervasive distribution of WFPs in a high vegetation status area offers remarkable prospect towards the sustainability and socio-economic upliftment of the indigenous people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple being one of the important horticultural crops of Nagaland, adoption of sustainable cultivation practices is crucial with changing climatic conditions. The study was conducted in Nagaland during 2018-2022 to evaluate the factors influencing the use of information sources and technology adoption for sustainable pineapple cultivation. Altogether 275 respondents were selected from 13 villages representing three leading pineapple growing districts of Nagaland using proportionate random sampling. The study revealed that informal sources of information were most preferred by the respondents. Selection of improved varieties, planting materials, weed management, ratooning, storage, and post-harvest management practices were fully adopted by the respondents. Variables viz., size of land under pineapple cultivation, annual income, income from pineapple cultivation, training exposure, experience, social participation, attitude, economic motivation, and knowledge had significant relationships with the information sources utilization and technology adoption. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.582 and 0.581 for explaining the utilization of information sources and adoption respectively. It is recommended that strengthening extension-farmer linkages and improving digital literacy may help enhance the efficacy of the information sources as well as improve technology adoption by pineapple growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their increasing visibility on highways and in prominent spaces in cities and villages across Nagaland and Naga-inhabited regions in northeast India since the early 1990s, monuments to the history of Naga nationalism have failed to garner significant scholarly attention. On the one hand, they are dismissed by urban Nagas as passive illustrations of the ideologically motivated “agendas” of Naga nationalist organizations. On the other, their continuities with the Naga stone monolith form remain unaddressed, rooted in the longstanding assumption that the influx of Christianity and literacy has meant that “tribal culture” is ruptured from the present. If the former approach suffers from a limiting historicism that imprisons the monument within a preconceived sense of historical and chronological time, the latter reproduces the problem of essentialism, which denies the Naga stone monolith any time. In this article, I challenge the dismissal of these monuments on both historicist and essentialist grounds. I demonstrate that their formal, scalar, and spatial particularities materialize a monumental form that constantly slips across the border between the secular domain of the war monument and the ritual domain of the Naga stone monolith. This movement across these supposedly separate and opposed domains of practice enacts a plural and layered temporality, which foregrounds monumentality as the ground to engage the lived realities and histories of a borderland region. It also illuminates the political significance of the aesthetic in the Indigenously inhabited and politically contested region amidst its marginalization by the state in postcolonial South Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle are losing maximum breeds among the world's livestock. Genetic variability data is essentially required for conservation decision-making. Thutho is a recently registered Indian cattle breed (INDIA_CATTLE_1400_THUTHO_03047) from the northeast region (NE), a biodiversity hotspot. Genetic diversity in the Thutho population and its differentiation from the only other cattle breed of NE (Siri) and cattle (Bachaur) of the neighboring region was established using highly polymorphic, FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. Numerous alleles (253) were detected across the 25 loci. The mean observed and expected numbers of alleles in the population were 10.12 ± 0.5 and 4.5 ± 0.37, respectively. The observed heterozygosity (0.67 ± 0.04) was lower than the expected heterozygosity (0.73 ± 0.03) which indicated a departure from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. A positive FIS value (0.097) confirmed the heterozygote deficiency in the Thutho population. Genetic distance, phylogenetic relationships, differentiation parameters, population assignment, and Bayesian analysis explicitly ascertained the unique genetic identity of the Thutho cattle. The population did not suffer any bottlenecks in the past. Thutho has minimum diversity among the three populations; hence, its scientific management needs to be initiated immediately. Interestingly, genetic variation is enough for formulating breeding programs for managing, improving, and conserving this precious indigenous cattle germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their increasing visibility on highways and in prominent spaces in cities and villages across Nagaland and Naga-inhabited regions in northeast India since the early 1990s, monuments to the history of Naga nationalism have failed to garner significant scholarly attention. On the one hand, they are dismissed by urban Nagas as passive illustrations of the ideologically motivated “agendas” of Naga nationalist organizations. On the other, their continuities with the Naga stone monolith form remain unaddressed, rooted in the longstanding assumption that the influx of Christianity and literacy has meant that “tribal culture” is ruptured from the present. If the former approach suffers from a limiting historicism that imprisons the monument within a preconceived sense of historical and chronological time, the latter reproduces the problem of essentialism, which denies the Naga stone monolith any time. In this article, I challenge the dismissal of these monuments on both historicist and essentialist grounds. I demonstrate that theirformal, scalar, and spatial particularities materialize a monumental form that constantly slips across the border between the secular domain of the war monument and the ritual domain of the Naga stone monolith. This movement across these supposedly separate and opposed domains of practice enacts a plural and layered temporality, which foregrounds monumentality as the ground to engage the lived realities and histories of a borderland region. It also illuminates the political significance of the aesthetic in the Indigenously inhabited and politically contested region amidst its marginalization by the state in postcolonial South Asia.

This article contributes to the burgeoning critical literature on Naga lifeworlds by using a heterodox Foucaultian and Marxist framework. The analysis is structured as a genealogy that reinterprets the ways that historical epistemologies have shaped contemporary land relations in Nagaland. Our genealogy draws on place-based interviews to foreground what the history of land relations mean to Nagas today. The discussion sheds new light on (i) the epistemological bearings of gennas on the present-day social realities of Naga-Christianity; (ii) territoriality as an epistemology that reified the village-centered ownership of land; (iii) epistemic ruptures of subjectivation under British colonialism. The paper ends by contextualizing the genealogy of Naga land relations to redress its biased representations and culture of alterity by mainstream media and political outlets in India.

This paper attempts to measure the sustainable performance of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation, a livelihood component in Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR). The objectives of the study were to examine the role, and the sustainable performance of French bean as a livelihood component in EHR. Altogether, 240 French bean growers had included from two selected districts of Nagaland, EHR. The contribution of French bean cultivation, contribution from other livelihood activities and annual expenditure pattern, 12 parameters under each of 4 indicators (economic, social, human and environmental) of sustainability were assessed. A relationship was established between the sustainability index and the livelihood index. French bean cultivation was ranked as the first, and other livelihood activities in descending order are; livestock-based, crop-based (excluding French bean), Off-farm, and forest-based livelihood. Despite less income from French bean cultivation than other countries, it is contributing about 43.00% to annual income and 73.00% to the yearly expenditure of growers. Thus French bean cultivation is a sustainable livelihood component. The study adopted a framework that can assess the sustainable performance of other crops/activities under similar/different agroecology. The policy process should emphasize higher productivity and more income from it and bring all-round development of the EHR.

The paper examined the knowledge level and adoption behaviour of maize growers in Nagaland. Altogether, 120 respondents were selected following proportionate random sampling from 8 villages from four blocks of two districts. Two indices, namely, knowledge and adoption indices were developed. The maize growers had inadequate knowledge of improved cultivation practices of maize. Respondents had inadequate adoption index. The variables- age, marital status, and family size had having statistically significant relationship at 5% with knowledge level. Simultaneously, income from maize cultivation, informal information, mass media, social participation, and experience in maize cultivation established a statistically significant relationship at 1% with the knowledge level. Similarly, marital status, education, and informal sources of information established a statistically significant relationship at 5% with the adoption level, and annual income was found to be statistically significant at 1% with the adoption level. It is recommended that all the stakeholders and extension systems take the initiative to improve maize cultivation in Nagaland, which will accelerate the socio-economic up-scaling of the study community. Concerned authorities may also carry out frequent capacity development and technology transfer drives for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forest fringe villages, folk medicines play a pivotal role in human health care management. The aim of present study was to document the plants employed in the folk medicines by ethnic groups inhabiting forest fringe villages of Nagaland. Field survey was conducted for over two years in 32 forest fringe villages of Nagaland. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and quantitatively analyzed by statistical tools i.e., Use-value, Relative frequency of citation and Informant consensus factor to identify promising plants for future studies. This research documented 96 medicinal plants employed in the treatment of 59 ailments of human being. The quantitative analysis of the data indicates that some species have relatively high "use value (UV)" and "relative frequency of citation (Rfc)", these are: Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Phyllanthus emblica L. with 0.67 as UV and 3.6 as Rfc. Maximum consensus among informants was observed for the treatment of tooth and gum ailment and under this category Solanum aculeatissimum Moench was frequently cited by informants. Those plants which receive high relative frequency of citation values may serve as potential source for pharmacological studies, especially Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (used as insect repellent), Phyllanthus emblica L. (used in abdominal pain and indigestion), Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. (in flatulence), Aloe vera Mill. (in constipation), Canna indica L. (in genital infection), Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Sm. (prevent miscarriage), Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. (in bleeding piles), Carica papaya (DC.) Merr. (cure ringworm), Solanum aculeatissimum Moench (in foot and toe infection), Thalictrum foliolosum DC. (for vomiting and indigestion), Mentha spicata L. (in stomach ache), Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton (incough and cold), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (in cough and cold) and Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre (in skin infection). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural extension services in the North East region of India are not only hindered by limited resources and scarcity of trained staff at state & regional level but also by the remoteness of the villages. Many villages remain inaccessible particularly during monsoon, due to poor road connectivity. The major technology dissemination approach adopted so far had been the traditional direct interaction and field level practical demonstration at the community level. The facility of toll-free modern smart phone based information and communication technology (ICT) service has been started and is gaining momentum. An attempt has been made to collect the data from 200 farmers of Tseminyu district of Nagaland State based on proportionate random sampling (PPS) technique to know the impact of mobile based extension agro advisory services in the region. Majority of the farmer respondents had perceived ‘yield increase’ , and ‘information of new agricultural technology’ as the major benefits of using the mobile -based agro- advisory services.

The present study explores the demographic dynamics of the Naga population of Dimapur with respect to their population structure, fertility, and mortality along with other reproductive factors. Data have been collected from 460 Angami, 544 Ao and 573 Sumi women from 12 villages of Dimapur. Information on demographic profile, reproductive performances of mother, healthcare behavior and socio-economic features of the Nagas of Dimapur district were collected by using standard pre-tested semi-structure schedule. Results have shown that the sex-ratios of children (0-14 years) were lower than that of the reproductive ages. Moreover step-wise regression analysis shows that the present age of mother, age at marriage and age at conceptions are the statistically significant factors influencing fertility and mortality among Angamis, Sumis and Aos. An inverse relationship between fertility and education and economic status were observed in the present populations. Mortality status in these tribal groups is much reduced as compared to the present status in Nagaland and other states of India. An in-depth study with combined biological, socio-cultural and economic insights into their population structure is required for comprehensive understanding of demographic processes in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to document the various indigenous pest control methods in jhum fields in controlling pests. The data was collected from Mokokchung district taking 6 villages from a sample of 120 farmers practicing jhum cultivation. A total of 10 common adopted ITKs were documented, validated and triangulated. These includes seed preservation (1), crop protection from insect-pest and disease (7), crop protection from birds (1) and sowing time (1). A majority of the farmers (96.67%) perceived the indigenous pest control methods as effective in controlling the pests in the jhum fields. For the farmers in Mokukchung, jhum is a way of life and is to stay considering the socio-cultural institutions embedded with this practice along with the ITKs, their associated beliefs and perceived effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a paucity of data on the burden and factors associated with hypertension among the Nagas (collective term for tribal ethnic groups predominantly residing in Nagaland) living in an urban environment. Insights from this study will aid in mapping focused community-based and primary care interventions for hypertension. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among Nagas aged 30–50 years residing in urban Dimapur, Nagaland. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2019. This study screened 660 participants for hypertension using a digital blood pressure apparatus. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the risk factors, and anthropometric measurements were recorded using standard guidelines. Results: The prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was 25.9% and 44.5%, respectively. Non-modifiable risk factors such as male gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–3.09), age > 40 years (AOR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.57–3.41), family history of hypertension (AOR, 1.87, 95% CI: 1.19–2.92) and modifiable risk factors such as current alcohol consumption (AOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.27–3.31), high/very high perceived stress (AOR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.28–3.62), lack of participation in stress relief activities (AOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.17–3.71) and overweight/obesity (AOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.55–3.30) were independently associated with hypertension in this study. Conclusion: To avert an impending health crisis in this community, a multipronged approach involving primary-care/family physicians, culturally appropriate awareness, and targeted community-based screening programs with an adept referral system must be implemented to curtail this emerging threat.

The identification of terrestrial water bodies and underground water interaction is crucial in the effective management and development of aquifer resources as the process affects both the quantity and quality. For the current work plan, 32 water samples were gathered from rivers, lake, pond, swamp and groundwater located in an alluvial plain of Dimapur Valley of Nagaland, India, to investigate the possible mechanisms of terrestrial water bodies and groundwater interaction adopting multivariate statistical procedure and hydrochemistry. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) resulted in two major clusters and five sub-clusters based on their similarities on ionic composition reflecting ion interaction between the surface water and groundwater. The results were supported by PCA, which signified the stream and groundwater hydrochemistry by the sub-clusters. Graphical ionic plots indicated that the provenance of dissolved ions was identified as physical weathering and disaggregation of rock mechanism especially from sedimentary rocks and subsequent ion exchange process. Spatial distribution of hydrochemical facies showed that the Chathe River in its upstream reach was characterized by a similar water type (Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3−) with the surrounding groundwater indicating the process of chemical interaction. The hydrogeologic section along with the water table inferred that the Chathe River exists as an influent river while the Dhansiri River flows as an effluent river. The isotope δ18O− values suggested that the terrestrial water bodies got recharged through underground water. The overall study, thus, provided insights into the mechanism of terrestrial water bodies and underground water interaction in the area of interest which will help in designing suitable effective strategic action plans to stakeholders for the development of water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Often obesity and hypertension are bracketed with developed countries, urban locations, and affluent societies. Yet, there is a recent secular trend in rising adiposity and cardiovascular risks, even in rural locations in developing countries like India. Objectives: Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among the Chakhesang adults, emphasizing the association between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) traits and their socio-demographic correlates. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted among the Chakhesang adults of Nagaland. The total sample comprises 209 participants (102 females and 107 males) aged 18-50 years. BMI was classified according to the classification given by WHO for adult Asians. Whereas BP traits were classified based on the Joint National Committee (JNC) protocols. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 42.6% and 13.4%, respectively, while systolic and diastolic hypertension was prevalent at 22.5% and 28.2%, respectively. Results of the linear regression depicting the relationship between BMI and BP traits presented significant figures. Further, the multivariate multiple regression (MMR) analyses yielded a positive association of sex, age, occupation, and income with BMI and BP traits. In contrast, education was found to have a negative impact on both BMI and BP. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypertension in this tribal community is relatively high for a rural setting. Socio-economic changes pertaining to occupation shift and adoption of modern lifestyle are the causal factors for high cases of obesity and hypertension among the Chakhesang adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]