Diversity of Ethno-medicinal Plant: A Study in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Background: The hilly areas of Uttarakhand embraces a large heirloom awareness of traditional medicinal plants. In Uttarakhand, medical facilities are very less in number. Due to unavailability of modern health facilities, poverty, connectivity with urban centre, awareness, etc people in hilly and rural areas are still depend on traditional medicines for their health care. Some of the communities are using wild plant parts for healthcare. Methods: Thus, a study was conducted to document the ethno-medicinal plants used traditionally in Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragadh District of Uttarakhand. Out of 219 villages under tehsil Munsyari, total five villages viz; Basari, Chhija, Diya Palla, Kheta, Kutima were selected purposively. Participatory Rural Appraisal, Group Discussion techniques were used to document the medicinal plants. Result: These medicinal plants are highly valuable and appropriate for economic upliftment of the region. People are dependent upon food, fruits, fodder and medicinal plants for their healthcare. Hilly people use these traditionally available medicinal plants for health and believe that these are easily available, less expensive and have no side effects as compare to modern medicine. Present scenario as deforestation, tourism affects medicinal plants. Thus, conservation of these species is necessary. Proper policies should be needed to conserve the forests and medicinal plants.