Abstract

USE PATTERN OF HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINAL PLANTS BY BHOTIYA TRIBE OF NITI VALLEY, UTTARAKHAND

Kshirod Kumar Ratha*, Girish Chandra Joshi, W.Rungsung, Jayram Hazra

ABSTRACT

Background: Niti valley under Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve of Uttarakhand, India is a reservoir of alpine and sub-alpine cold desert rare medicinal plants used in Traditional system of medicine. Bhotiya tribe primarily inhabiting the area is using these high altitude medicinal plants due to their close association. The ethno-medicinal knowledge of this tribe is declining day by day and there is an urgent need to document them. Methods: Ethno-medico-botanical tours were conducted in five high altitude villages of Niti Valley using interviewbased and inventory-based approaches. Plants traditionally used by the Bhotiya tribe were documented and voucher specimens for herbarium is prepared. Data obtained were analyzed and cross-checked with the codified text of Ayurveda and books on medicinal plant to validate the information. Results: Forty seven species of high altitude ethno medicinal plants representing 27 families were recorded. Among them, 3 species were trees, 35 herbs and 9 shrubs, of which 37 species were found mentioned in Ayurveda and 10 were new. Various parts of these species such as whole plants (8.7%), roots (41.3%), fruits (13%), stems (4%), barks (4%), rhizomes (13%), seeds (4%), tubers (4%), leaves (26%) and gum (2%) were used to treat 33 types of ailments. It is revealed that the Bhotiya tribe has a good knowledge on indigenous medicinal plants. Conclusion: Niti valley of Uttarakhand Himalaya is a rich reservoir of important high altitude cold desert medicinal plants which are widely used in the Indigenous System of Medicine and Ayurveda. The bhotiya tribe, inhabiting the area, has a good knowledge on the beneficial use of medicinal plant resources with regards to medicines. Introducing techniques of ex-situ cultivation of commercially viable species, sharing of IPR value, documentation of ethno-medicinal plants and introduction of modern scientific protocols for research on plant-based medicines, will highly benefit this community in particular and the medical fraternity in general.

Keywords: Niti valley, Bhotiya, Ethno-medicine, Ayurveda.