A botanical field study expedition was conducted jointly by the Department of Botany, D.M. College of Sc, Imphal led by Dr. H. Nandiram Sharma (HOD) and Volunteers of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Senapati District led by Luxman Singh (Co-ordinator, NYK Senapati District) to Liyai Khullen and Vaunuhro Senapati District situated at the north-eastern region of Senapati District, Manipur at a distance of 130km.

24^th March, 2001

The study team left the college campus at 7.am. on 24^th March, 2001 by bus and reached senapati Bazaar at 8:45 am from there a team of NYK volunteers joined us. After having light refreshment and procurement of essential commodities, the team left the bazaar for Liyai khullen by 9:30 am. A few members (Volunteers) of NYK also joined the team on the sway to Liyai khullen from Tungjoy (1874msl) and Paomata (1895 msl). After traveling for about 4km from paomata, we stopped at a ridge of the patkai range which is on the way of migratory route.

            The study team finally reached Liyai Khullen which is situated at an altitude of 2004 MSL at 12:55 pm. We were warmly greeted by the waiting volunteers. Young and Old boosting the spirit and moral of the study team after the tiresome journey.

            The local volunteers and members of the community helped us in carrying the goods and other equipments to the local community hall where the lodging for the study team was arranged. The study team took rest for a while refreshing with glucose and got ready for the arduous trekking at Vaunuhro. At around, 1:30pm, the study team under the guidance of the accompanying teachers and local volunteers along with the guidance of the volunteers of NYK, Senapati District set-off for Vaunuhro. The foot track passed through sub-tropical forest to wet-tropical forests inspite of its altitude due to the presence of perennial initiating streams of the Lai river i.e. Barak and terrace cultivation. It also passed through semi-temperate and sub-alpine region. The forest consists of dwarf-bamboo, herbs, shrubs, epiphytes, ferns along with some large gigantic trees.

            After long arduous trekking through the dense and thick forest, the study team finally reached its summit, Vaunuhro at 3:45pm, a big water body covered with a thick grass mat (phumdi) which is the source of the Lai river, Barak. The grass mat is mainly composed of varieties of sedges and grasses. The word Vaunuhro is derived from the two words ‘Vaunu’ meaning Allium porum and ‘hro’ meaning ground in paomei dialect. Thus Vaunuhro actually means a ground of Allium porum. The temperature was 11ºC and cool breeze was blowing over the place and it was very much refreshing. The components of the grassmat (phumdi) and vegetation in its surrounding are the representation of sub-alpine forest, characterised by dwarfism and perennial underground parts. The latter is a special adaptation developed to tide over the forest during cold season. Other important components of the grass mat (phumdi) are Allium sp., Buttercups, Saxifragis, Primilia, Sedum etc.

            The special feature of the Phumdi is the presence of dominant species Allium porum (Vaunu in Paomei, Maroi Napakpi in Manipuri). The surrounding slopes of the spot are clad with dwarf bamboos. It drains down to the Lai river by a perennial stream through its north-eastern corner. This is one of the initiating streams of the barak river.

            After collecting a number of specimens from the entire vaonuhro and adjacent slopes and taking photographs of the study team, the narrow open spot, the slopes surrounding Vaunuhro, we retreated. After careful study of specimens and conditions prevailing there with the help of Dr. H. Nandiram Sharma we left the spot and reached the community hall at 6:30 pm. The team had a light refreshment and took rest for a while. Dinner was served by 7:30pm and chiefs and elders joined us. After having dinner village interaction function was held at the community hall itself in which all the members of the Village community men, women, young and old thronged the hall. The study team....

to be continued on next week. Thanks for reading upto this. With regards Jayanta