The brief outline of a region's
topography and natural environment also encompasses the region's forest resources
and wildlife. In this context, it must be said— the 'Bam' region of South Cachar
is indeed a veritable playground of
nature.
This region's rolling hills and dense forests are
home to a variety of remarkable tree species, as well as numerous small and
large birds, various species of wild animals, and reptiles. Their appearance,
size, and diversity are distinct and unique. The natural environment of this
region heightens tourists' interest.
The extensive forests here were and
are rich with valuable trees. Among these trees were the prized wild species
such as Cham and Sundi as well as the popular forest tree Gamari .
Additionally, the area contained rare species like Nageshwar, used in
house construction, Ramdala , used in boat-making, and other once-rare
species like Kurta Rata, Puma, Jam, Gandhari, Tula, Kadamba, Shirish,
and many others. There were various types of bamboo, including Ikor and Khag,
as well as numerous species of reeds like Galla reed, Jali reed, Sundi
reed, and Annah reed. Furthermore, the region was rich in rare
herbal plants. Naturally, the flowers of the forest attracted honeybees, and
the Bam region was famous for its honey, which was abundant and had a unique taste.
It is still available today.
Discussing the fauna, it can be
said that these areas were once shrouded in dense, eerie forests. The region
was home to wild elephants, tigers,
deer, various types of monkeys, wolves, wild cats, striped wildcats, and
Khattaas (locally known as Tola), among other diverse animals and
reptiles.
The Rukni Valley, the Bam region
are known as a land of birds. Many species of both small and large birds could
be seen in this valley. In the southern part, near the Mizo hills, even amidst
human settlements, the free movement of various birds was once a characteristic
feature. The area was lively with local and migratory birds. The chirps of
parrots, lorikeets, herons, wild ducks, various types of storks, egrets,
kingfishers, colored kites, eagles, hornbills, multiple species of vultures,
harriers, pigeons (wild pigeons), blue doves, various mynas, wild cocks, Mouka,Moudhra,
yellow birds, bulbuls, woodpeckers, and small sparrows (flower-eating sparrows,
Monia, Tekoi) would invigorate the daily life of the inhabitants.
In the forests and jungles, the
rich diversity of flora and fauna was matched by the variety of fish in the
rivers and streams, including Kacchap(turtle), Shushuk (dolphin, locally known
as 'Fu'), and aquatic snakes.
Until the mid-20th century,
tigers would come into human settlements and freely kill villagers' livestock,
and occasionally a stray deer would wander around. At dusk, the hills near
human settlements would be filled with the collective cries of owls. The
incessant chirping of numerous birds would signal the coming of dawn to the
inhabitants of Bam. Perhaps at that time, there were no wildlife conservation
laws. Local hunters would kill tigers and bring them to the Dholai police outpost.
The practice of rewarding hunters for killing tigers and leopards might have
existed, as in 1904, the government rewarded those who killed 17 tigers and 16
leopards in the Cachar district. It is said that the Frenchnagar (locally
pronounced as *Peres Nagar*) near the Mizo border got its name from a British
gentleman named J. French, who came here for tiger hunting. Due to population
growth, although the wildlife of Bam has not been completely extinct, their
numbers have rapidly dwindled.
Early Bam was an example of
biodiversity. Had the government decided to conserve the forest land instead of
settling people, Bam would have become a beautiful sanctuary for wild animals,
possibly even housing a one-horned rhinoceros.
Changes have come with the flow
of time. Much of the natural wealth that was once stored in the area is now
gone. Due to human recklessness and misuse, much has been lost to oblivion. For
the people of Bam, there is some good news—recently, the Assam government has
declared the eastern part of Bam between the Sonai and Barak rivers as the
"Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary."
