AQUATIC ANGIOSPERMS OF JALUGUTI BEEL OF MORIGAON DISTRICT OF ASSAM AND THEIR UTILIZATION

Jaluguti beel is an important wetland of Morigaon district, situated at longitude 92025 (E) and latitude 26015(N). It has a rich biodiversity with a vertically stratified aquatic angiospermic plants consisting of rooted submerged, floating submerged, rooted floating, free floating and emergent species. It is the habitat of many herbivores as well as source of livelihood of the people of nearby area. The present study is an attempt to highlight the diversity of aquatic angiospermic plants of the wetland and their economical importance. For the purpose an extensive field surveys were conducted during August 2011 to December 2013 along with the discussions with fishermen and local communities regarding their resource utilization from the wetland. The paper records the occurrence of 55 aquatic angiospermic plants of the wetland with their various uses. Due to human interference in and around the wetland, many of the economically and ecologically important plants of this wetland are gradually disappearing. Therefore it become important to properly document explores and conserves the macrophytes to provide supports to the local people of the area for their sustenance.