Ethnobotanical Study on Wild Edible Plants Traditionally Used by Local People of Damoh District Madhya Pradesh, India
Devanand Maurya *
Department of Botany, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh-470003, India and B.T. Institute of Excellence, Makronia, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh-470004, India.
Chayan Adhikari
Department of Botany, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh-470003, India.
Amit Jugnu Bishwas
Department of Botany, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh-470003, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Many studies have shown a worrying decline in the traditional knowledge of wild edible plants throughout the last few decades. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document the population knowledge on wild edible plants among the local people.
Place and Duration of Study: Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, India, January 2021 to February 2022.
Methodology: The survey was conducted from January 2021 to February 2022 among local people, mostly at home, in the fields, and other workplaces.
Results: The study documented 46 plant species across 30 genera and 23 families. The most frequently utilized plant parts were fruits (76%) and tubers (15%). Furthermore, the flora used was dominated by trees (46%), followed by herbs (30%). Rutaceae stood out as the most diverse family with 6 species documented. The Most Diverse Families are Rutaceae have 6 species. Dioscoreaceae and Myrtaceae are also diverse, each containing 4 species. Moderately Diverse Families are Asparagaceae, Solanaceae, Tiliaceae, and Verbenaceae each have 3 species. Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Arecaceae, Combretaceae, Fabaceae, and Sapotaceae each contain 2 species. Least Diverse Families has a large number of families are represented by only 1 species each. These include Amaranthaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Ebenaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Hypoxidaceae, Malvaceae, Moraceae, Rhamnaceae, Vitaceae, Zingiberaceae.
Conclusion: This ethnobotanical study highlights the significant, yet diminishing, traditional knowledge possessed by local communities, demonstrating the crucial role of WEPs as a supplementary food source. The findings underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect both these diverse plant resources and the associated indigenous knowledge for future food security and livelihood potential. By implementing these suggestions, society and government can work collaboratively to preserve the invaluable ethnobotanical heritage of Damoh district, ensuring the sustainable use of wild edible plants for the benefit of present and future generations, while also contributing to biodiversity conservation and local economic development.
Keywords: Ethnobotany, local people, traditional knowledge, wild edible plants