The North Eastern Region is a rich respositary of useful plants. These plants have not been studied in detail regarding their characteristics, use, utilization, potential and also as a source of valuable protein. This publication is an number attempt in the above direction and may from the basis of further detailed work. The author is fully conscious of the present publication. Much more could have been done but because of the problems of insurgency, difficult terrain and lack of literature and information on the plants of the region were the constraints and this is all what the author could do. The author will feel satisfied and amply rewarded if this publication stimulates further efforts and studies on these valuable plants and those listed in the second chapter as compendium of useful plants of the region. A chapter on useful plants of the region has also been added, so that, all those who may be interested in knowing the plant wealth of this remote region. This part is especially for those, who may be interested in the development and progress of the region and to remove regional imbalance and may be useful for all those, who may be interested in pursuing studies on specific groups of plants.

The author had collected information on many lesser known leafy and other edible plants used by the local tribal communities of N.E. India and compiled it in the form of a 'Status Report of Leafy and Edible Plants of North East India'. He claims to have seen many of these plants in the local markets of North Eastern States. Most of these plants are collected by the locals from the wild and are lesser known outside the region. The author had compiled information on 278 plant species of edible-leafy and other edibles (roots, rhizome, fruits, nuts or young fonds) with finer details. All such plants are excellent candidates for developing valuable functional foods, nutraceuticals or providing valuable chemicals or genes of economic or other interests. The author, who spent a good part of his life in this region was able to observe and interact closely with the local communities. The report compiled by him is, therefore original, authentic and authoritative. This book will serve as an excellent reference source for researchers and well as for those engaged in conservation, bioprospecting and sustainable utilization of biodiversity.

This work is a comprehensive information on the indigenous bioresources of North Eastern India with the scope of bioprospecting for discovery and commercialization of new sources and products and long-term ecological balance. The exploration, conservation and sustainable utilization of bioresources of world’s Megabiodiversity Hotspots are undeniable. North Eastern India is a recognised biodiversity hot spot where the evolutionary forces are at its optimum, making this region as centre of origin for many species. Although little bit exploratory studies have been conducted in this part of the globe but a scientific exploitation of the bioresources is almost lacking. Unscientific exploitation and overexploitation without proper knowledge of the bioresources may lead to imbalanced ecosystem of this mega diversity region. At the same time, very less exploration and exploitation will hamper biodiversity based development. Today, unscientific dramatic changes are underway in this region. Human activities are changing, degrading and destroying the bioresources in an unplanned manner. Scientific bioprospecting of the bioresources will boost the economy while ensuring conservation. This book offers comprehensive information about various levels of bioprospecting of the gene pool of this Indo-Burma Mega Biodiversity Hot Spot, the North East India, which is endowed with huge biodiversity potential for exploration and exploitation for the benefit of humankind. Also, this book highlights the less and merely explored part of the indigenous biodiversity of North East India with explanation towards their better sustainable exploitation for benefit of the people, economy and environment. The novelty of the book lies in expert coverage of the bioresources of this mega-diverse region including plants, microbes, insects etc. with provisions for their sustainable scientific utilization. This book portrays North East India as a melting pot of bioresources which are little explored and also those resources which are still to be explored. The book mainly highlights the bioprospecting approaches for North East Indian bioresources, and thus, it make itself a unique one in filling the knowledge gap that is there regarding the bioprospecting of the biodiversity of this special region on the earth. The book concludes by the ecotourism potential of this region. The target audiences for this book include biodiversity economists who are working on technology and bioresource management issues, and especially on biotechnology and biodiversity, development economists addressing the issues of bioresources in developing countries. These people may be in academia, in government, in non-governmental organizations and in private companies. The other target audiences group is policy scholars in government/public sectors who are interested in issues of biotechnology, IPRs, and biodiversity. In addition, scholars/experts in both development studies and resource management studies form another group of target audiences. Also, the book will be useful for the interaction between developed and developing nations regarding the issues of biodiversity and bioprospecting, as North Eastern India is the hub of Biodiversity.