Tripura

Tipra community is one of the major ethnic groups living in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh Tipra tribes are living in the Chittagong Hills tract, Cumilla, Noakhali, and Sylhet region. They have a distinct culture, socio economic pattern, food habits, marital customs, rites and rituals and other customs from the rest of the people of the country. Their large historical background and lifestyle is manifested in their significant housing and settlement pattern. Their neighborhood and community life is strong though they have a poor economic condition. This paper attempts to search for the settlement pattern and archetype of their settlement. A limited work had been done on settlement pattern of Tipra ethnic group also their socio-cultural condition and socioeconomic situation needs more to be revealed .Moreover, this study tries to collect information from a Tipra village called Dolubari Tipra Village at Sreemangal, Moulovibazar. It is expected that after examining all the information about Tipra ethnic group an archetype and settlement pattern of ethnic housing can be construct.

This paper presents the results of the incisive geo-archaeological explorations carried out in parts of the Khowai, Hoara and Sonai river valleys in Tripura. This was undertaken as part of the Field Trip Project of the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC). Extensive and systematic Quaternary mapping in the 1980s by the Geological Survey of India, using a morphostratigraphic approach generated multi-disciplinary data on Quaternary geological history, besides establishing the presence of prehistoric human cultures in this part of Northeast India. After a gap of some three decades, the present research group with multi-disciplinary backgrounds undertook some extensive geological traverses and archaeological mapping across some of the well-mapped Quaternary fluvial sequences in the intermontane valleys of Khowai and in West Tripura districts to understand the context of the Stone Age sites. The Quaternary deposits significantly host stratified records of prehistoric artefacts made exclusively of petrified fossil woods of Neogene origin. The in-depth survey strengthens our understanding of the vertical and horizontal continuity of the Stone Age materials in certain areas of the Sonai Valley, which appears to be the most widespread prehistoric site covering an area of approx. 0.256 km2. The study opens up vistas for further research on the chronology and cultural affinities with the neighbouring regions of Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Assam and Tripura both states are worst effected due to illegal migration from Bangladesh. Although, both state governments are committed to detect and deport Bangladeshi Immigrants as per 'Assam Accord' and 'ATTF Accord' respectively, yet still these states are suffering for the problem. The paper is an attempt to study the extent of illegal migration and its effect on politics in two states. Since inception of the problem Assam always remained sounds but surprisingly, despite of having commitments in peace accord, Tripura is completely silent. In case of Assam, illegal immigrants became the determinant factor in politics. They are capable to influence 32 percent of assembly constituencies in Assam. Honorable Gauhati high court also treated them as 'king maker' of Assam. The uncontrolled influx from Bangladesh to Tripura causes huge demographic changes in Tripura; a predominantly tribal state became non-tribal state. Few years ago, a person associated with Islamic terrorist organization (HUJI) entered into the state and got national citizenship through government officials. This issue got its deep root with the resignation of a Minister. Moreover, it leaves an adverse effect in politics of Assam and Tripura.

The Field Trip (36th IGC Code No. NER005) is planned to study parts of Khowai and Hoara-Sonai river valleys in and around the capital city of Agartala, Tripura. Situated at the eastern margin of Bengal Basin representing western fringe of the typical 'ridge and valley' structural province of late Tertiary fold mountain belt (Indo-Burman Ranges), the study area comprises three distinct landforms: hill-ridges (mura), terraces/uplands (tila) and flood plains (lunga). The intermontane valleys are flanked by Neogene fold ridges and filled with well-developed, flat bedded Quaternary sediments. However, Quaternary Geology remained terra incognita till systematic Quaternary mapping by GSI from morphostratigraphic approach (Ramesh and Kar, 1981; Ramesh, 1982, 1983), which led to generation of a wealth of multidisciplinary data on Quaternary geological history, besides establishing human cultures in the critical area of Tripura. This region is also significant in terms of understanding of the movements of early man as it is considered crossroad between Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
 
The transect embodies some of the best mapped Quaternary fluvial sequences in intermontane valleys in India. Stratigraphic and geochronologic mapping in parts of Khowai, Haora, Sonai Gang demonstrated existence of extensive outcrops of late Quaternary fluvial deposits which form a four-tier system of terraces. Abundant Stone age artifacts preserved in stratigraphic context in ‘open stations’ in several localities spread around Agartala city demonstrate the existence of multiple dispersed colonies of Stone Age people on the stabilized river terraces, especially near the junction of mountain ranges. Typo-technologically, the discovered geo-archaeological material can be divided into: (a) Heavy tool-types, (b) Flake tools, (c) Blade tool-types, (d) Microlithic tool-types and (e) Neolithic tool-types. They can be classified into distinct chrono-cultural groups as: (a) Middle Paleolithic (Upper Phase), (b) Tripurian, (c) Neolithic and (d) Medieval Pottery. It is remarkable that almost 100% of the tools are made of silicified wood of a very fine variety.

Tripura has the distinction of hosting/ preserving the first known stratified records of geo-archaeological sites in the entire Northeastern India. The discovery has brought Tripura State on the Prehistoric map of Northeast India and Southeast Asia and establishes the cultural linkages across India and Southeast Asia. The tool assemblage bear close affinity with the Anyathian culture of Myanmar and Hoabinhian culture of East and Southeast Asia and resembles tools reported from the Chittagong Hill tracts of Bangladesh. An integrated study of prehistory of Southeast Asia and Northeast India would throw considerable light on early man’s adaptation in the changing scenario of the tropical environment. Northeast Indian region is a melting pot of ethnic communities, genetic and linguistic groups and cultural traits besides natural features of different geo-physical realms and provides insights to study migration routes of early hominids in Eastern Himalaya, Bay of Bengal, and particularly Tripura. These kinds of studies would also benefit the neighboring regions of Myanmar and Bangladesh in terms of Geology and Geo-archaeology.

Northeastern India has high medicinal plant diversity due to variance in topography and physiognomy. We documented the uses of various medicinal plants by the Bengali people of West district and South district of Tripura state for their own health care as well as for domesticated animals. Based on semi structured interviews, group discussions and information from local informants, a total of 93 species of medicinal plants of 52 families and 83 genera were documented. These plants were used to treat more than 55 different human diseases and 6 diseases of livestock. Sixty-eight plant species were used singly and the rest were used in combination with other species for therapeutic formulations of various diseases. Leaves of plants were most often used for most of the ethnobotanical preparations. Maximum consensus value of 96% was recorded for Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & H. Rob., and the minimum was 15% for Bambusa balcooa Robx. Of the 93 plant species, 75 species showed pharmacological properties. Prospects for augmenting existing knowledge and enhancing the use of traditional medicinal plants are discussed.

Herpetofaunal biodiversity in a particular area determine the quantitative and qualitative data of habitat modifications because of their receptive nature. Hilly terrain, undulating slopes and valleys with semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forests of Tripura form heterogeneous habitats for rich herpetofaunal diversity, although it is inadequately documented from the state. In the present communication, 55 species of herpetofauna was recorded belonging to 39 genera and 15 families. Out of which, 18 species were snakes, 17 species of lizards, 3 species of turtles and 17 species of amphibians. Twenty six species are new record for the state. Twenty four species were enlisted in IUCN Red List category. Habitat preference and existing threats in the state from anthropogenic activities were also mentioned.

North-east India is part of Indo-Burma hotspot and among the richest bird zones in India. Tripura lies in the border of Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot area but very poorly covered by ornithological works. Avifauna of Tripura state is known by 277 species but there is lack of information about their distribution, particularly in and around Agartala city, which is the capital of Tripura state and is a tourist destination along the border of Bangladesh for its natural landscapes, inland water species, and strong presence of green flora with a view to enhance its value for tourist attraction and naturalists. A study was conducted to record the species of birds that occur in and around the City. In the present study 73 bird species were recorded from Agartala city and its adjacent areas belonging to 41 families and 14 orders.