ETHNOBOTANICAL OBSERVATION AMONG JAUNSARIS OF JAUNSAR-BAWAR, DEHRA DUN(U.P.), INDIA

Abstract

This paper highlights the ethnobotanical uses of some plants by the Jaunsari tribes of Chakrata Tehsil in the Dehra Dun district. The Jaunsari tribe of Jaunsar-Bawar is a primitive group of people who have their own culture, custom and traditions. The region is quite rich in plant wealth. Living close to nature the tribals use a number of wild plants such as Aesculus indica, Asparagus filicinus, Berberis chitria, Bidens biternata, Cannabis sativa, Cinnamomum tamala, Cissampelos pareira, Crotalaria spectabilis, Cryptolepis buchananii, Datura stramonium, Oxalis corniculata, Rumex nepalensis, Solanum ferox, Thalictrum foliolosum, Viola canescens, Zanthoxylum armatum etc., to fill their day to day requirements. Local names, -habits and flowering periods are provided for each species. The family names (in parentheses) are followed by detailed uses. Finally the authors emphasize the urgent need to document and develop databases on the ethnobotanical uses of the area's plants so that the local inhabitants can improve their socio-economic condition while using them in a sustainable manner.

Keywords: :

• Ethnobotanical
• Jaunsaris
• folklore
• floristic wealth
• medicine