Ethno-ceremonial flora from the eclipsed villages of Kasha and Pat, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Plants have always been associated with different cultures and customs across the globe. Such practices of including plants in various rituals and auspicious occasions are believed to anchor man with their immediate environment and traditions. The current piece of research for the first time have enumerated 40 plants with ethno-ceremonial importance from the remote villages of Kasha and Pat in district Shimla of Himachal Pradesh. Multiple reconnaissance surveys were carried out and a questionnaire was framed to document the traditional knowledge from the region. Rosaceae was identified to be the most dominant family out of 22 plant families. The habit of the plants included trees (17), herbs (8), shrubs (13) and grasses (2). The plants included 32 genera with Aconitum, Berberis, Pinus, Quercus, Rhododendron, Rosa, Rubus and Toona. being the common ones. Plant parts such as wood, flowers and leaves were predominantly used for various ceremonial purposes. 185 locals were interviewed for recording plants having cultural significance and the forgotten folklores were recorded with an idea of preservation of biodiversity and culture. Therefore, ethnobotanical knowledge not only aids in conservation of flora but simultaneously helps in preserving the rich heritage of local communities which if not recorded shall be lost forever. Additionally, it will also help in promoting sustainable utilisation and management of plant wealth