Multiple usages of forest trees by the tribes of Kalahandi District, Orissa, India

Abstract

Forest trees are the integral part of human society. Forest trees provide both direct and indirect benefits to humans. The number of products provided by trees worldwide is extensive. The wood, bark, leaves, fruits, seeds and roots of trees yield food, fodder, shelter, medicine, fibre, resin, oils and other numerous products used for subsistence of people living in rural and tribal areas. There is a great international interest in the so-called multipurpose trees, but in practice, virtually all tree species can be used for more than one purpose. In some areas in India, the life and livelihood of the tribes depend on trees, as they provide all the commodities required by them in their day to day life. However, in recent days, there is rapid depletion of forest covers, which results in loss of these valuable trees, thereby affecting the livelihood and culture of the tribes. In this regard, the paper is an attempt to study, based on sustainable development strategy of forest resources, the ethnobotany on multiple uses of tree species by the tribes of Kalahandi District, Orissa, India. The study was carried out during 1998-1999, with four tribal groups named Gonda, Kandha, Kutia Kandha and Shabara, in four community development blocks of the district. The multiple uses of 40 tree species belonging to 22 families were documented. Medicinal and non-medicinal usages were recorded. Key words: Forest trees, ethnobotany, medicinal uses, Kalahandi, tribal.