Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2013 | Volume: 16 | Issue: 10 | Page No.: 451-468
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2013.451.468

Ethnobotanical and Ethnomedicinal Uses of Floristic Diversity in Murari Devi and Surrounding Areas of Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh, India

Pankaj Sharma, Pooja Patti and Ajeet Agnihotry

Abstract: Traditional uses of floristic diversity are the most important component of indigenous knowledge system, which is widely prcatised by human populations all across the world. Keeping this in mind, the present study has been conducted during 2010-2012, to study the ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of floristic diversity in Murari Devi and surrounding areas of Mandi Disrtict in Himachal Pradesh, India. Total 384 species (71 trees, 97 shrubs, 209 herbs and 07 ferns) belonging to 106 families and 285 genera were recorded and used by the inhabitants of the area. Different parts of these species, such as whole plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, roots, seeds, stems, barks, etc. were used by the inhabitants for curing various ailments. Various anthropogenic activities, over exploitation and habitat degradation have led rapid population depletion of these species. Therefore, study on habitat ecology, development of conventional and in-vitro propagation protocols, development of agro techniques/plantation techniques and introduction in the akin habitats, education and awareness programs for the inhabitants are suggested. So that adequate planning for the conservation of these species could be done.

Keywords: Indian Himalayan region, over exploitation, floristic diversity, Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses and himachal pradesh

INTRODUCTION

In rural areas human beings are totally depends on biodiversity for medicine, food, fuel, fodder, timber, making agricultural tools and various other purposes (Samant el al., 1998). Indeed, biodiversity and humans have had a close mutual supportive relationship from the ancient times. The biodiversity upon which this large population depends have the critical character of being renewable, at least when they are managed well but biological resources that are abused can also become extinct (Heywood, 1995). The relationship among native communities and plant wealth is strongly revealed by well developed traditional health care practices and a variety of plant uses in various ceremonies, routine household uses and trading for economic gain (Singh, 1999). A large proportion of the world’s population depends on traditional medicines to meet its needs. According to estimates, the proportion of the world’s population using traditional medicines ranges between 70 and 80% (Maikhuri et al., 1998). In Asia, India and China are two of the largest countries, which have the richest array of registered and relatively well-known medicinal plants (Raven, 1998). In India about 2500 species of ethnobotanical importance are known (Jain, 1991). In the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), 1748 medicinal plants (Samant el al., 1998), 675 wild edibles (Samant and Dhar, 1997), 279 fodder (Samant, 1998), 118 essential oil yielding medicinal and aromatic plants (Samant and Palni, 2000) and 155 sacred plants (Samant and Pant, 2003) are known. In the Himalaya, 76% of total natural resource needs are derived from forests and agroforestry systems, mainly because they are free, easy to access and simple to use (Chettri and Sharma, 2006). The growing commercial trade of natural products, in particular plant medicines and crafts, has resulted in the harvest of increasing volumes from wild plant populations and has therefore generated concern about overexploitation (Tiwari, 2000). Furthermore, activities related to wild plants contribute to household incomes by providing employment opportunities and cash income from the sale of some of the products (Walter, 2001).

Like other states of the IHR, Himachal Pradesh blessed with rich biodiversity which is very difficult to find elsewhere in such a scale. The state has a large number of floral species to suit the local needs and habitat conditions. This wealth of valuable raw materials has been exploited by the local people in a variety of ways. Various studies has been carried out on ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of floristic diversity in Himachal Pradesh (Shabnam, 1964; Uniyal and Chauhan, 1971; Koelz, 1979; Jain, 1991; Chauhan, 1999; Singh, 1999; Badola, 2001; Sood and Thakur, 2004; Badola and Aitken, 2003; Kala, 2005; Uniyal et al., 2006; Samant et al., 2007a, b; Sharma et al., 2010; Rana and Sawant, 2011; Thaplyal et al., 2012). Inspite of the efforts of the above workers many biodiversity rich areas are still unexplored or underexplored for the economically important floristic diversity. Therefore, comprehensive studies on ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of floristic diversity are essentially required so that pressure on the economically important biological resources could be identified and an adequate management plan for their conservation could be prepared. The present study has been made to assess the ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of floristic diversity and suggest strategies for the conservation, management and sustainable use of these important resources.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area: The present study has been carried out in Murari Devi and surrounding areas, situated at a distance of 40 km in the south-west direction of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. This covers the ‘Sikandra Dhar’ ranges of submontane Himalayas between 31°37' 30" N latitudes and 76°49' 50"E longitudes. Murari Devi temple is a beautiful place in the west of Sundernagar on the top of a sacred hill named Murari Dhar. The study areas were fall in Suket, Bhambla and Nagrota Forest Divisions of Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh with an altitudinal range varies from 700-2000 m amsl. Geographically, the area constitutes a part of Mandi (an area formed by the merger of the erstwhile princely states of Mandi and Suket on the formation of Himachal Pradesh on 15 April, 1948). It is bounded by Sundernagar on south, Jogindernagar on north, Chachyot on east and Sarkaghat areas on west. The area is hilly and weather is subtropical monsoon (Puri, 1960).

Surveys, sampling, data collection and analysis: The inhabitants of 23 representative villages (Ukhla, Smaila, Plassi, Kot, Baldwara, Bhambla, Sikandra, Bachawan, Kasmela, Math, Bhated, Balra, Alsogi, Chowk, Ambla galu, Kalkhar, Katoh, Badoun, Nadgi, Dabhoi, Trifalghat, Ropadi and Leda) located at different altitudes in the study area were selected to generate information on ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of economically important plants by the inhabitants of the area. For this local Vaidhyas and knowledgeable persons from each village were interviewed. The interviews were mostly individual, except in some cases, where several people participated at the same time. The language used with the informants was the local dialect of the study area viz., Mandyali and Hindi. The age of respondents ranged from 22 to 65 years. Those older than 50 years had a rich knowledge base. Among the village experts, one person was hired to survey and collect the useful plant species from the natural habitats. Information on botanical binomial, local name, plant part sec^-1 used and the ailment for which it is used, altitudinal range, habit, habitat sec^-1 and use values was gathered. Fresh samples of the useful species were collected and identified with the help of local and regional floras (Chowdhery and Wadhwa, 1984; Dhaliwal and Sharma, 1999; Singh and Rawat, 2000; Khullar, 1994, 2000). Information on mode of utilization of medicinal plants was collected. The indigenous uses are based on the surveys, however in the case of medicinal plants information on indigenous uses has also been updated with the help of existing secondary information (Jain, 1991; Samant and Palni, 2000; Samant et al., 2001, 2007b). Some species are not used by the inhabitants but their uses are known from other parts of the State and IHR have also been included. The wild edibles are either eaten fresh, boiled, cooked or in the form of dried or liquid products (Samant and Dhar, 1997). Fodder is either fed fresh or stored after drying to use during the lean period.

RESULTS

Diversity: A total of 384 species of vascular plants i.e., Angiosperms (100 families, 278 genera and 374 species), Gymnosperms (1 family, 2 genera and 3 species) and Pteridophytes (5 families, 5 genera and 7 species) were recorded. Of the total species, 71 species were trees, 97 shrubs, 209 herbs and 7 pteridophytes (Table 1).

Among families, Asteraceae (31 sp.); Fabaceae (25 sp.); Poaceae and Lamiaceae (17 sp., each); Rosaceae (12 sp.); Apiaceae (11 sp.); Anacardiaceae, Acanthaceae and Euphorbiaceae (10 sp., each); Caesalpiniaceae, Moraceae and Solanaceae (9 sp., each); Rubiaceae (8 sp.); Polygonaceae and Ranunculaceae (7 sp., each); Rutaceae and Urticaceae (6 sp., each); Boraginaceae, Rhamnaceae and Cyperaceae (5 sp., each); Araceae, Amaranthaceae, Commelinaceae, Convolvulaceae, Verbenaceae, Vitaceae and Zingiberaceae (04 sp., each) were the dominant. 33 families were monotypic. Among genera, Ficus (8 spp.); Artemisia, Bauhinia, Cassia, Euphorbia and Rubus (4 sp., each); Albizia, Asparagus, Desmodium, Indigofera, Jasminum Justicia, Oxalis and Zizyphus (3 sp., each) were species dominant (Appendix).

Distribution: Maximum number of species (i.e., 318 spp.) was recorded in the altitudinal zone, 700-1300 m followed by 310 species in the altitudinal zone, 1301-1800 m and 252 species in the altitudinal zone, >1800 m (Fig. 1). The diversity decreased with the increasing altitude. The representative species of altitudinal zone, 700-1300 m were Bauhinia vahlii, Acorus calamus, Flacourtia indica, Bergenia ligulata, Quercus glauca, Acacia catechu, Morus alba, Dodonaea viscosa butea monosperma, Terminalia bellirica, Tinospora cordifolia, Kalanchoe spathulata, Murraya koenigii, Bombax ceiba, Pistacia integerrima, Emblica officinalis, Urtica dioica, Zanthoxylum armatum, etc.; altitudinal zone, 1301-1800 m were Plantago lanceolata, Debregeasia longifolia, Lyonia ovalifolia, Herminium lanceum, Agrimonia pilosa, Salix denticulata, Ulmus villosa, Valeriana jatamansi, Arundinaria falcata, Daphne papyracea, Girardinia diversifolia, etc.; the altitudinal zone >1800 m were Litsea glutinosa, Rhododendron arboretum, Polygonatum verticillatum, Thalictrum cultratum, etc.

Amongst the total species, Achyranthes aspera, Cyathula capitata, C. tomentosa, Berberis lycium, Cannabis sativa, Cuscuta reflexa, Dioscorea bulbifera, Juglans regia, Colebrookia oppositifolia, Roylea cinerea, Apluda mutica, Rumex hastatus, Pyrus pashia, Rubia cordifolia, Hedychium spicatum, Ainsliaea aptera and Saccharum spontaneum showed wide range of distribution.

Utilization pattern: Amongst 384 species, 314 were used as medicine, 105 wild edible/food, 97 fodder, 51 fuel, 21 religious, 05 each dye and fibre, 7 for making timber and agricultural tools and 17 for various miscellaneous purposes (Fig. 2). Among the parts of plants used, leaves of maximum species (166 sp.), followed by whole plant (114 sp.), roots (85 sp.) and fruits (82 sp.) (Fig. 3). Among all the species, 67 species have multipurpose utility. For example, Pinus wallichiana for medicine, timber, fuel and agricultural tools; Cannabis sativa for medicine, edible and fiber; Berberis aristata for medicinal, edible, fuel and religious; Quercus glauca used as fuel, fodder and making agricultural tools; Juglans regia used as medicinal, fuel, edible and also used in house building; Pistacia integerrima used for medicine, edible, fodder; timber and dye; Bauhinia vahlii as medicine, edible, fodder, fuel and religious purposes; Quercus leucotrichophora used for fuel, fodder and timber; Cyanodon dactylon used for medicine, religious and ornamental purposes in lawns; Grewia oppositifolia as medicinal, fodder, fuel and fibre and Pyrus pashia as edible, fuel and fodder (Appendix).

Indigenous Uses: Traditional/Indigenous practices of the plant resources for medicine, wild edible, fodder, fuel, timber, agricultural tools, religious and various other purposes are very popular among the inhabitants of the study area.

For example, seeds/nuts of Juglans regia, fruits of Syzygium cumini, Myrica esculenta, Emblica officinalis, Rubus ellipticus, Fragaria nubicola, Berberis lycium, Murraya koenigii, Carissa opaca, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica and flowers of Bauhinia variegate and Rhododendron arboreum are consumed/eaten by the inhabitants. Phoenix sylvestris and Dendrocalamus strictus were used for preparation of different value added items locally called Dal (for carrying of fodder, litter, etc.), Tokari (for putting different goods), Mats (for matting over the roofs), Brooms (for cleaning the houses), etc. In certain villages the mats prepared from the leaves of Hedychium spicatum (vern. Ban haldi) were used mainly. Also the thread prepared from Cannabis sativa was used to prepare Jirla which is tied in the back while carrying the headloads by the women folk. Inhabitants place Prinsepia utilis on the doors of their houses, to protect them from illness and bad souls/devils. The twigs and leaves of Asparagus racemosus, Berberis aristata, B. asiatica, Ficus bengalensis, F. religiosa, Prunus cerasoides and Mangifera indica were used on various religious ocassions. Amongst the medicinal plants, rhizome of Acorus calamus are used in abdominal pain, bodyache, asthma, skin diseases, cold and cough; rhizome of Hedychium spicatum in asthma, blood purification, bronchitis, nausea; fruits and seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum in cough, cholera, fever, eczema, itching, leucoderma, piles, rheumatism, onic, tooth complaints; leaves and flower petals of Rhododendron arboreum in headache, fever, dysentery, wounds and nose bleeding.

DISCUSSION

The people living in the Himalaya have developed an age old tradition of slelectively using a wide variety of forest resources for fodder, fuel and timber based on thei quality and availability. They depend on the forests for their socio-economic structure. Due to habitat degradation and over exploitation, population of these economically important species is decreasing rapidly. Many of the preferred and higher quality species are under pressure, leading to changes in species composition and forest succession patterns (Chettri et al., 2002). In addition, ever increasing human and livestock populations are exerting additional pressure on forest resources and livelihoods as a result of resource shortages (Chettri and Sharma, 2006). The presence of 384 species indicates richness and high socio-economic value of these areas. Use of these species as medicinal (314 sp.), wild edible/food (105 sp.), fuel (51 sp.), fodder (97 sp.), timber (07 sp.), religious (221 sp.), fibre (5 sp.), making agricultural tools (07 sp.) and various other purposes (17 sp.) show that these species has high impotance are very important for the sustenance of the inhabitants. The parts of plants mostly used for medicinal purposes are leaves (166 sp.) and whole plant (114 sp). The diversity of these species decreased with the increasing altitude. The species Acorus calamus, Acacia catechu, Bergenia ligulata, Centella asiatica, Dioscorea deltoidea, Hedychium spicatum, Pistacia integerrima, Terminalia bellirica, T. chebula, Valeriana jatamansi, Viola canescens and Zanthoxylum armatum were over exploited by the inhabitants from the natural habitats. If over exploitation of these species continues, they will be wiped out from area in future. Promotion for cultivation of these species in the villages may reduce the human pressure on the wild habitats. Therefore, conservation measures have to be taken to maintain the current status of these species. Awareness among the villagers and mass multiplication through conventional and in-vitro propagation protocols, development of agro techniques/plantation techniques and introduction in the akin habitats, education and awareness programs for the inhabitants are recommended for the species facing high anthropogenic pressures and their establishment and maintenance in the in situ and ex situ conditions may help in the conservation and management of these species. The information generated in the present communication could be useful for the industry, pharmacologists, physicians, phytochemists, botanists and alike interested in the development of alternative therapies. As, it represents for the first time an immensely valuable database that provides a baseline information and contribute in filling the knowledge gaps for the compilation of a local biodiversity registers of the study area, a key instrument for achieving the regional and global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development goals.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful to Dr. S.S. Samant, Scientist In-charge, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Himachal Unit, Mohal-Kullu, Himachal Pradesh during identification of specimens and encouragement. The inhabitants of the area are acknowledged for providing valuable information during the field surveys.

APPENDIX

REFERENCES