Ethnobotanical plant diversity of Betalghat region, Kumaun Himalaya

ABSTRACT

The magnificent Himalaya is well recognized for its bio-physical diversity and socio-cultural heritage, traditional systems and an ample quantity of indigenous knowledge. The study was conducted for the documentation of ethnobotanical use of plants from Beatalghat region, Kumaun Himalaya. Total 186 ethnobotanical plants species belonging to 76 families, 160 genera (Angiosperms- 184, Gymnosperms- 2), different habitats such as tress (36%), herbs (31%), shrubs (25%), climbers (8%), were records. Top ten dominant families were Fabaceae (13 species), Euphorbiaceae (8 species), Rosaceae (8 species), Solanaceae (8 species), Moraceae (7 species), Caesalpinaceae (6 species), Mimosaceae (5 species), Lamiaceae (5 species), Rubiaceae (5 species), Anacardiaceae (5 species). The majority of plant species were used for medicinal purposes (32%), followed by fuel (23%), fodder (22%), wild edibles (11%), timber (5%), agriculture implements (3%), religious (3%) and fibre (1%) which were further classify according to plants parts used such as: leafs (33%), wood (26%), root (9%), fruit (9%), bark (7%), whole plant (5%), seed (4%), flower (2%), stem, rhizomes, tuber, resin, latex, twig  (1%). It was found that 127 medicinal plant species were used by local people for curing 64 diseases such as fever, diarrhea, cough, cuts and wounds, skin diseases, arthritis, asthma, jaundice, etc.

Key Words: : Ethnobotanical plant, Diversity, Betalghat region, use pattern, ailments

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