Quantitative ethnobotanical analysis of plants used for livelihood maintenance of tribal communities in Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Abstract

Background: Plant resources play crucial role in tribal life. Tribal inhabitants of Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Odisha, India are depended on sanctuary forest for their livelihood. Present study was a quantitative ethnobotanical assessment to understand the dependency of tribal inhabitants of BWS on plant resources, identify plants of potential use and recognize plants at the risk of overexploitation.

Methods: The study was conducted through field observation, focused group discussion and semi-structured interviews. Data was collected from total of 306 informants and quantitative ethnobotanical indices relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), plant part value (PPV), and category use value (UVk) were used to evaluate the useful plant species.

Results: The study recorded 137 useful plant species classified under 10 different use categories agriculture, food, fodder, fuelwood, house building, household essentials, medicine, ornamental, personal hygiene and religious activities. Highest number of species were used as medicine (27%), followed by food (25%) and fuel-wood (13%). Plant part value (PPV) of leaf (24.5) was highest followed by fruit (20.3) and wood (15.2). The use value (UVk) of food (0.75) was maximum followed by personal hygiene (0.74), religious need (0.67) and household essential (0.65). Madhuca indica and Shorea robusta were among the multipurpose species having possible risk of overexploitation.

Conclusions: BWS is a treasure of useful plant species, however overexploitation of resources may affect density, and natural regeneration of forest flora. Therefore, sustainable use and conservation of multipurpose species is essential.

Keywords: Ethnobotanical indices, use value, plant part value, use category, over exploitation