Adhikari BS
Wildlife Institute of India,
P.O. Box #18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand
India
Research Article
Depleting Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Cold-Arid Region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya
Author(s): Kumar A, Mitra M, Adhikari BS and Rawat GSKumar A, Mitra M, Adhikari BS and Rawat GS
Medicinal plants play a vital role in local health care system of indigenous communities in remote areas. However, a declining trend is prevailing with respect to the indigenous knowledge of wild plants across the globe. Based on semi-structured questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, the study attempts to document the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants of an ethnic community in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve of India. The study revealed that the locals are knowledgeable of about 38 medicinal plants used for curing 24 different human ailments. However, the practice of utilising medicinal plants in their local healthcare system is sharply declining due to lack of education facility; that has lead to lack of knowledge as well as transfer of knowledge to youger generations. The richness of knowledge about medicinal plants was assessed using Knowledge Richness Index among diffe.. View More»
