Utilization of some Aquatic macrophytes in Borobandh-a lentic water body in Durgapur, West Bengal, India: Implications for socio-economic upliftment of local stakeholder
Sanchita Banerjee1, Debalina Kar2, Arnab Banerjee3 and Debnath Palit*
1,2Research Scholar, Post Graduate Department of Conservation Biology, Durgapur Govt. College, Durgapur (India) 3Lecturer in Conservation Biology, Durgapur Govt. College, Durgapur, West Bengal (India) *Assistant Professor in Botany and Head, P.G. Department of Conservation Biology, Durgapur Govt. College, Durgapur, West Bengal (India)
ABSTRACT
Aquatic vegetation is an essential component of the aquatic ecosystem. Efforts are always made to curtail the excessive growth of aquatic plants in order to prevent them from becoming a nuisance in the ecosystem. One of the ways of solving such problem is the positive economic use of such plants. In the present study an attempt have been made to enumerate the macrophytes and their utilization in a fresh-water lentic water body (Borobandh) at Muchipara in Durgapur, West Bengal, India. As many as 52 species of macrophytes belonging to 26 families have been enumerated and their potential utilization has been evaluated. The present investigation revealed the multifarious uses of macrophytes viz., as a source of medicines (Alternanthera sessilis, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica etc.), foods (Commelina paludosa, Enhydra fluctuans, Hygrophila difformis etc.), fodder (Brachiaria ramosa, Echinochloa colona etc.), compost or green manure (Salvinia cuculata, Vallisneria spiralis etc.), soil binder (Fimbristylis dichotoma, Panicum repens), biofertilizers (Azolla pinnata) and other uses (Cyperus exaltatus, Vetiveria zizanioides). These aquatic resources need optimum commercial exploitation for the upliftment of local stake holder.