Role of Home Garden for In-Situ Conservation of Agro-Biodiversity: A Case Study of Dhari Block, District Nainital, Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Since time immemorial, the natives were growing and maintaining plant diversity in the vicinity of dwelling places which is popularly known as Home Garden. The present study was conducted to assess role of home garden for in-situ conservation of plant diversity in Dhari Block, district Nainital, Uttarakhand with the major aim of understanding the plant diversity available especially with respect to the home gardens and role of vice-versa in their day to day life. With the help of questionnaire and survey, the information was collected from six villages i.e., Chaukuta, Dhanachuli, Gajar, Kasiyalekh, Podiyal and Pokhrar. Information regarding the occurrence of plant species, their local names, parts used and formulation through interviews and discussions held with elderly persons of rural communities were recorded. The study documented 93 plant species belonging to 79 genera and 51 families ranging from forestry to horticulture and agriculture including ethno-medicinal plants as grown in the home gardens and these plant species were used for multiple purposes i.e., Cereals, Fire woods, Fodders, Fruits, Leafy vegetables, Ornamentals, Pseudo-cereals, Spices, Vegetables and other cultural significance. These observations indicated that home garden play a important role in food security and in-situ conservation of agri-horticultural plants.