Influence of rubber and teak plantations and natural forest on soil properties, nutrient enrichment, under-storey vegetation and biomass recycling has been studied in the Siliguri sub-division (Darjeeling district) of west Bengal. The study indicates that rubber, teak and natural forest had comparatively high input of organic carbon enriching the soil. Teak had the highest organic matter content in the surface layers. However, the depletion of organic carbon with depth was the highest volumetric water content at field capacity (-0.033 MPa) and also at -1.5 MPa. The results suggest that the depletion of sub surface soil moisture would be less under rubber than teak. The soils under teak showed a higher calcium content in the surface layers. The distribution of available nutrients otherwise did not show much variation in the soils under rubber,teak and natural forest. Biomass and floor accumulation revealed luxurient under storey vegetation under all athe three conditions. the data on floor accumulation showed that litter accumulationa under rubber was lower than that of teak and natural forest which could be attributed to a faster rate of decomposition under a higher moisture regime and higher available nutrient. The study establishes ecological desirability of rubber in terms of habitat diversity, soil physical properties and nutrient recycling.