Ethnomedicinal and socio-cultural values of agroforestry in Kumaun Himalayas, India

Abstract

Agroforestry system is an important source for ethnomedicinal and socio-cultural use of plant species in the hilly region of Kumaun Himalayas. Local inhabitants are primarily dependent on agriculture and tree crops for food, fodder, fuel, fibre and means of various medicinal and socio-cultural uses. They have developed innovative use of the available plant species to withstand against the harsh climatic conditions in this region. This traditional knowledge of the indigenous people has continuously been updated from one generation to another with passage of time but in the recent past with the modernization practices, this knowledge is declining in the Kumaun region. In the present study we have documented the available indigenous knowledge of the local practitioners through extensive survey in the Kosi watershed area. Total 17 species were documented for medicinal purpose and used for curing different ailments like jaundice, bone fracture, toothache, joint pain, skin burning, diarrhoea, etc. These species belong to 14 families and various plant parts like fruits, bark, leaves, seeds, flowers and roots are mainly useful. Similarly, tree species viz. Mangifera indica L., Ficus auriculata Lour., Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa, Rhododendron arboreum Sm., large herbaceous perennial plant like Musa balbisiana Colla and agricultural crops viz. Sesamum indicum L., Brassica campestris, etc., have religious and socio-cultural importance in the lifestyle of local folks of Kumaun Himalayas