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In 1966 the Mizo National Front (MNF) instigated a separatist conflict against the Indian state. This article argues that an environment conducive for separatist insurgency was created by the early 1960s in the Mizo Hills, a direct result of problematic state- and nation- building practices. First, there was an inability to initiate a successful state-building drive to overcome deep-seated challenges bestowed by colonial rule. Second, the friction between regional and national conceptions of identity was not resolved. This argument exploits a clear research gap. Currently there is a convincing explanation for the MNF's transition towards civil war between 1961-66. Yet, explaining the structural factors which created an environment conducive for separatist conflict remains elusive. This article plugs that gap, through archive-led historical analysis. In the process, it provides wider insights for conflict dynamics in India's northeast and raises broader questions about interdisciplinary research in the subfield of intrastate conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic homestead forests or the traditional agroforestry systems (TAFS) can achieve sustainable production, in-situ biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation while maintaining cultural values. The presence of trees under the TAFS increases the ecological and aesthetic value of the landscape and possesses important economic value for the farmer. This study aimed to determine the contribution of ethnic homestead forests to tree biodiversity, biomass storage and evaluated farmers' use criteria under the piper and pineapple systems of Assam and home gardens of Mizoram, North-East India. The results showed that tree species richness, basal area, and diversity were highest in the home gardens followed by piper and pineapple-based systems. On the other hand, stand density under these systems followed a reverse order. Altogether, 112, 91, and 15 tree species were documented from home gardens, piper, and pineapple-based systems with stand density of 399, 990, and 1225 (stems ha−1) under the same systems respectively. Two economically viable tree species, i.e. Aquilaria malaccensis and Parkia timoriana that are no longer found in wild are widely domesticated in the pineapple-based system. In Assam, the biomass storage in piper-based systems (129.39 Mg ha−1) was 19 % more than the nearby native forest (NF). In contrast, the biomass storage in the home gardens of Mizoram (117.32 Mg ha−1) was 57 % lower than the NF. The farmer's use classes revealed that greater numbers of tree species under these TAFS provided fuelwood, timber, and economic needs. According to the farmer's report, the environmental services provisioned by most tree species include - shade for other crop species and in soil erosion control. This study demonstrates the potentiality of TAFS in the conservation of biodiversity, and biomass storage while additionally ensuring livelihood resilience and a wide array of environmental services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides new information on the two medically important snakes, Bungarus niger and B. lividus from northeastern India. Included are morphological data on both the species and for the first time, genetic data (cytb) on B. lividus and establishing the genetic relation of the species to its congeners. We also provide brief descriptions of hemipenial morphology and new distributional records for both the species, along with notes on their natural history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India is one of the countries which has maximum number of livestock with rules the rural economy, which are eventually dealt by veterinarians to overcome different crisis. Veterinarians are entrusted with combating various disastrous situations whichever come in the way of this natural resource. This article deals with information needs and seeking behaviour of veterinary users who are aspiring to be future experts in the field and faculty personnel of two Veterinary Council of India accredited colleges situated in North East India, namely College of Veterinary Science, Assam and College of Veterinary Science, Mizoram. Methodology: The authors visited the above mentioned colleges to elicit data from respondents. A questionnaire was propounded for the purpose. Later the data were analysed, tabulated and hypothesis were drawn and checked. Scope and Coverage: The article encompasses veterinary college students; faculty personnel of two Veterinary Councils of India (VCI) accredited veterinary colleges of Assam and Mizoram. Findings: Sixty percent female respondents had graduation degree followed by 58.06% male respondents having the same. Overwhelming majority of both the male and female respondents claimed that they visited library for books while, 71.43% female respondents visited library for borrowing books. Chi square test proved that there is a significant relationship between the gender of the respondents and the purpose to visit the library. Originality: This article is entirely original in nature. No other research works have been performed in this region so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]