http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/8 2026-05-06T11:35:54Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/507 Title: A STUDY ON LAND ACCESS ISSUES AND LIVELIHOODS OF TRIBAL PEOPLE IN THE CONTEXT OF BODOLAND TERRITORIAL REGION OF ASSAM, INDIA Authors: BRAHMA, ASHOK Abstract: ABSTRACT 1. BACKGROUND Land access refers to the ability of individuals, households, or communities to acquire rights to use, control, and benefit from land resources. This concept is crucial as land provides a foundation for livelihood, agriculture, shelter, and economic development. Land access can take various forms, including ownership, leasing, inheritance, or community-based rights, and is often governed by legal, cultural, and social norms. In many rural and indigenous/tribal communities, land access ensures food security, economic independence, and cultural continuity. However, land access is not uniformly distributed and is influenced by factors like socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, and government policies. For example, marginalised groups like women, ethnic minorities, and tribal communities often face significant challenges in securing land rights. In such cases, restricted access to land can lead to economic vulnerability, social inequalities, and limited opportunities for development. Furthermore, issues such as land encroachment, displacement, and conflict can exacerbate these challenges, leading to reduced access for vulnerable populations. Improving equitable land access is essential for promoting sustainable development, empowering marginalised communities, and addressing socio- economic disparities. It enables communities to build secure livelihoods and fosters resilience against external pressures. Land access is fundamental to securing livelihoods, especially for rural and indigenous communities whose economic survival depends on land-based activities like agriculture, grazing, and forestry. With secure land access, individuals and families can cultivate crops, build homes, and sustainably manage resources, enabling food security, economic independence, and resilience against poverty. Land access also allows people to make long-term investments in their land, which can improve productivity, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. However, limited or insecure access to land can lead to economic vulnerability and social instability. Marginalised groups such as women, ethnic minorities, and indigenous communities often face restrictions in land ownership and access, leaving them at greater risk of poverty and displacement. Issues such as encroachment, displacement due to development projects, and environmental degradation further complicate land access for these communities, impacting their livelihoods and quality of life. Ensuring equitable land access is essential for sustainable development and poverty alleviation. It enables communities to generate income, secure their | 1food supply, and maintain their cultural practices, creating a foundation for both economic and social well-being. Land access is fundamental for the livelihood, culture, and identity of tribal communities, as land is central to their traditional ways of life, subsistence, and social structure. For many tribal groups, land is not just an economic asset; it holds spiritual significance and is deeply tied to their customs, beliefs, and communal identity. However, tribal communities often face challenges in accessing and securing land rights due to socio-political marginalisation, displacement, encroachment, and the pressure of developmental projects, which can lead to a loss of ancestral lands. Legal protections, such as the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Indian Constitution, aim to secure land rights and self-governance for tribal areas. However, the implementation remains complex and inconsistent. Despite these legal provisions, tribal land rights are frequently under threat from industrial expansion, mining, and deforestation. These activities can displace communities and undermine their rights to use and manage their lands sustainably. Improving land access for tribal communities is crucial to maintaining their cultural heritage, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development. It allows them to uphold their traditional practices, ensures food security, and provides them with the autonomy to develop according to their needs and aspirations. Land access is a critical component of tribal livelihoods, as it directly influences their economic activities, cultural practices, and social stability. Tribal communities traditionally rely on land for agriculture, animal grazing, forest produce collection, and other means of subsistence. Access to land ensures food security and sustains their daily needs, while also supporting traditional crafts, medicine, and resource-based trades that are vital to their economic resilience. For many tribal groups, the land carries a sacred value that connects them with their ancestors and guides their cultural expressions, rituals, and social structure. However, in many regions, tribal communities face challenges such as displacement, land grabbing, and limited legal recognition of customary rights, which hinder their ability to maintain sustainable livelihoods. Industrial projects, mining, and deforestation are significant threats, often forcing tribes to migrate, lose economic independence, and face cultural disintegration. Securing land access for tribal communities is essential for strengthening their socio-economic position, reducing poverty, and supporting sustainable development. With protected land rights, tribal people can sustain their livelihoods, preserve biodiversity, and exercise self-determination in ways that align with their traditional values and community needs. 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/506 Title: A CRITICAL STUDY ON RITA BARO’S NOVELS Authors: Mushahary, Chittaranjan Abstract: Abstract Title of the Study A Critical Study on Rita Baro’s Novels Scholar Chittaranjan Mushahary B.U. Registration No: PHDBO19D007 Supervisor: Dr. Laishri Mahilary Asst. Prof., Dept. of Bodo Bodoland University Rita Baro is a prominent figure in Bodo literature, recognized not only for her contributions to the novel genre but also for her creative works across various forms of prose fiction. This research study aims to explore the creative techniques employed by Rita Baro in her novels. Baro has authored five notable novels: Gongse Okhrangni Singao (Beneath the Sky, 2002), Thwisam (Blood Cot, 2014), Saikhong (Shadow, 2017), Bachiram Jwhwlao (Bachiram Hero, 2017), and Swmaosarnaini Ogang (Volcano of Revolution, 2020). These five novels serve as the primary texts for this study. The research is organized into five chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction, which presents a systematic overview, including the problem statement, aims and objectives, significance of the study, area of study, literature review, methodology, data collection, hypothesis, and a discussion of Rita Baro’s life and works. Chapter 2: Critique of plot construction, characterization, dialogue, and theme. This chapter delves into the creative aspects of Baro’s novels, focusing on how she reflects the natural life and conditions of Bodo society through storytelling. Chapter 3: An exploration of the social, cultural, economic, political, religious, and historical aspects depicted in Baro’s works, emphasizing how these elements influence her narrative style and thematic choices. Chapter 4: Analysis of language use, divided into two sections: the art of words, examining the use of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, imagery, fantasy, onomatopoeia, irony, and rhetorical questions; and the art of language, which looks at the use of dialects and the influence of other languages on Baro’s creative expression. Chapter 5: Conclusion and summary, where the findings of the research are consolidated, highlighting the impact of Rita Baro’s literary contributions and the outcomes of this analysis. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Rita Baro’s creative techniques and the cultural significance of her literary works. 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/505 Title: A STUDY ON ISOLATION, CHARACTERISATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA FROM SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KOKRAJHAR DISTRICT, ASSAM Authors: DAS, DEBAJANI Abstract: ABSTRACT Endophytic bacteria are those that multiply intracellularly or intercellularly in their host plants at least once during their life cycle without showing any obvious symptom of disease. Plant-associated bacteria represent a vast and untapped source of unique phytochemical compounds, biofertilisers, and plant growth promoters that can be used as sustainable and natural alternatives to agrochemicals. Numerous issues in agriculture and health can be resolved by endophytic bacteria, including reducing environmental pollution brought on by the long-term use of chemical fertilisers and producing medications that will aid in the fight against drug resistance. In addition to their capacity to stimulate plant growth, a number of endophytes (which were previously isolated from a variety of plants) have shown antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. The ability of many endophytic bacteria to produce extracellular enzymes, such as lipases, amylases, pectinases, cellulase, xylanase and proteases, has been demonstrated. These enzymes can be used in various industries, including the food and beverage, textile, and leather sectors. There are several different types of endophytic bacteria that are economically important and can be isolated from medicinal plants. Although many medicinal plants have not yet been fully studied. With these considerations, the present study was carried out to isolate, characterise and identify endophytic bacteria present in some medicinal plants, like Glycosmis pentaphylla, Hygrophila auriculata and Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis, collected from different locations of the Kokrajhar district, Assam. For the isolation of endophytic bacteria, surface sterilisation plays an important role. In this study, surface sterilisation was done by using 70% ethanol and sodium hypochlorite in different concentrations and for different durations. The conformation of proper surface sterilisation was done by performing a sterility test. Here, 16 endophytic bacteria have been successfully isolated from the leaf, root and stem of three medicinal plants using the optimised surface sterilisation method. A total of 5 endophytic bacteria were isolated from the different tissues of G. pentaphylla: GPL-1, GPL-2 and GPL-3 from the leaves; GPS-4 from stems and GPR-5 from roots. Also, from H. auriculata, a total of 5 endophytic bacteria were isolated: HAL-1 and HAL-2 from leaves; HAS-3 and HAS-4 from stems; HAR-5 from roots. Whereas from P. thyrsiformis, 6 endophytic bacteria were isolated: PTS-1 and PTS-2 from stems; PTL-3 and PTL-4 from leaves; PTR-5 and PTR- 6 from roots. Morphological, microscopic and biochemical characterisation of the isolates vi | P a g ewas done using some standard protocol. For microscopic analysis, both Gram staining and scanning electron microscopy analysis were performed. Of the 16 isolates, 10 exhibited Gram-positive nature and 6 exhibited Gram-negative nature. Under microscope, almost all isolates were rod-shaped except PTL-4, which is circular in shape. In biochemical characterisation, almost all isolates showed positive for the catalase test and negative for the indole test. Almost all isolates showed positive for the oxidase test except PTL-3, PTL-4, PTR-6, HAL-2, HAS-3 and HAR-5, whereas GPL-2 is slightly positive as the purple colour is produced after some seconds (delayed production). All the isolates showed positive for the citrate test except PTR-6. In the methyl red test, all isolates showed negative results except HAL-2, which showed a positive result. Out of sixteen, eleven isolates showed positive and five showed negative for the Voges- Proskauer test. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were also performed on the isolates against a number of standard antibiotics. Isolates PTS-1, PTR-5, GPL-2, GPS-4, GPR-5, HAL-1, HAL-2, HAS-3, HAS-4 and HAR-5 showed resistant to ampicillin, whereas PTS-2, PTL- 3, PTL-4, PTR-6, GPL-1, and GPL-3 showed susceptibility to ampicillin. All the isolates showed resistant to penicillin. For gentamicin, almost all isolates were susceptible except GPR-5 and HAS-3, which showed resistant to gentamicin. Except for GPR-5, all isolates showed susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Against cefotaxime, PTS-1, GPL-2, GPS-4, GPR- 5, HAL-1, HAL-2, HAS-3, HAS-4, and HAR-5 were resistant; PTR-6 showed intermediate resistant, whereas isolates PTS-2, PTL-3, PTL-4, PTR-5, GPL-1, and GPL- 3 showed susceptibility to cefotaxime. For molecular identification, the genomic DNA was extracted from all 16 bacterial isolates using the CTAB method with some modifications. After that, PCR amplification was done for all isolates using the universal primer for the 16S rDNA gene, namely, 27F (forward primer) and 1492R (reverse primer). Amplified products were checked in 1.5% agarose gel, and then sequencing was performed. After getting the sequence, identification was done by performing BLAST followed by constructing a phylogenetic tree using MEGA 11 software. Then, the endophytic bacteria were identified from three medicinal plants, which are as follows: Pseudomonas oryzihabitans strain HAL1DD (HAL-1), Proteus mirabilis strain HAL2DD (HAL-2), Stenotrophomonas geniculata strain HAS3DD (HAS-3), Agrobacterium cavarae strain HAS4DD (HAS-4), Lysinibacillus macrolides strain HARDD (HAR-5) from H. vii | P a g eauriculata; Alkalicoccobacillus gibsonii strain GPDD1 (GPL-1), Bacillus cereus strain GP2DD (GPL-2), Bacillus subtilis strain GP3DD (GPL-3), Bacillus cereus strain GP4DD (GPS-4), Bacillus australimaris strain GPRDD (GPR-5) from G. pentaphylla; Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain DD3 (PTS-1), Agrobacterium larrymoorei strain DDBU3 (PTS-2), Solibacillus silvestris strain DDBU6 (PTL-3), Kocuria assamensis strain DDBU9 (PTL-4), Alkalicoccobacillus gibsonii strain PTR1DD (PTR-5), Prescottella equi strain PTR2DD (PTR-6) from P. thyrsiformis. All the sequences were submitted to NCBI GenBank for accession numbers. Some plant growth promotion activities, such as phosphate solubilisation, production of ammonia, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and salt tolerance ability of the isolates, were carried out. Seven of the sixteen isolates exhibited positive results in the phosphate solubilisation activity. The highest solubilisation index was observed in PTS- 1 isolates, followed by PTR-6, GPR-5, PTR-5, GPL-3, PTS-2, and HAS-3. For ammonia production, almost all isolates showed positive results except PTS-1 and PTR-5. Eleven isolates out of 16 had shown positive results for their capacity to produce IAA in the presence of 400 μg/ml of L-tryptophan. The test was performed spectrophotometrically by comparing with standard IAA. Highest production was observed in HAR-5 (258.6 ± 2.05 μg/ml), which is followed by HAL-1 (121 ± 1.63 μg/ml), PTL-3 (81 ± 1.24 μg/ml), GPL-3 (80.16 ± 2.89 μg/ml), GPS-4 (76.66 ± 2.49 μg/ml), GPL-1 (76.33 ± 1.24 μg/ml), GPL-2 (75.83 ± 1.31 μg/ml), PTS-2 (67 ± 1.24 μg/ml), PTL-4 (45 ± 0.47 μg/ml), GPR-5 (31.66 ± 2.49 μg/ml), and PTS-1 (15 ± 0.81 μg/ml). A salt tolerance (1 to 10 % NaCl) ability test was also performed for the isolates. The highest tolerance to NaCl was observed in PTS-2, which is 10%, followed by GPS-4 (8%), HAS-3, GPL-1, GPL-2, and GPL-3 (7%). And all other isolates showed at least tolerance to 4% NaCl. Overall, all the isolates showed high tolerance to NaCl concentrations. The ability of the isolates to produce extracellular enzymes such as lipase, cellulase, amylase, protease, pectinase, and xylanase was also evaluated using a standard protocol. Protease production was demonstrated by the majority of isolates, with the exception of PTL-4 and HAS-3. PTL-4, PTR-5, GPL-3, HAL-1, HAL-2, and HAS-3 showed positive for amylase production. HAL-1, HAL-2, HAR-5, GPL-1, GPL-2, GPS- 4, PTL-4, and PTR-6 all showed positive lipase production. Positive activity for cellulase viii | P a g e 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/504 Title: Aspirational Districts Programme and its Impact on Entrepreneurs in North-East India Authors: Deka, Ms. Varnali Abstract: /media/bu_library/disk/04_Abstract.pdf 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z