Abstract

DOCUMENTATION AND ETHNOMEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE OF ETHNIC TRIBES FOR UTILIZATION OF MUSHROOMS AS MEDICINE IN DURG DISTRICT CHHATTISGARH, INDIA

Onkar Prasad Chandra* and Yaser Qureshi

ABSTRACT

Durg is rich in bio-cultural diversity. The present study was conducted in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. Collection of information was carried out in the period between June and September of 2021 from different habitats on the basis of popular name of the mushroom and uses of the mushrooms (as food or medicine) among the different tribal communities by frequent field visits and semi - structure interviews, the result has been documented. The study revealed ethnic tribes of Durg district, Chhattisgarh were found to be mycophilia and have extensive traditional mycological knowledge. A total of 16 fleshy mushrooms species were collected through field visits, represented by 14 families in 7orders. They have been documented to have their
ethnomedicinal uses. The dominant mushrooms species belonged to order Agaricales, but Boletales, Polyporales, Russulales were moderately dominant. The other orders like Auriculariales, Cantharellales and Pezizales were the least in number. Therefore it is urgent to initiate organized scientific study and document such valuable and time tested ethno-medicinal knowledge of mushroom before these culturally rich people and important resources disappear.

Keywords: Ethnic tribes, Agaricales, Boletales, Polyporales, Russulales, Auriculariales, Cantharellales, Pezizales.