Current Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Utilization of Mahua Resources:Traditional Knowledge as a Tool for Sustainable Management


Affiliations
1 College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, India
 

Mahua (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia Roxb. A. Chev.) tree has religious and aesthetic value in the ethos of many tribes of Gujarat, India. Traditional knowledge of the people about the various uses of mahua is shrinking rapidly due to the change in socioeconomic status. The present study was conducted to draw the utilization pattern of mahua resources and to document the traditional knowledge of the people involved in its usage in Gujarat. Information regarding pattern of utilization and traditional knowledge about mahua was collected using the participatory rural appraisal method. Results highlighted interesting information on traditional knowledge about processing, product development and medicinal value of mahua resources. The species is under threat and receives less care compared to the benefits drawn from it. Therefore, sustainable management of this valuable species is needed by taking a lesson from traditional knowledge.

Keywords

Mahua Resources, Sustainable Management, Traditional Knowledge, Utilization Pattern.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Patel, M. and Naik, S. N., Flowers of Madhuca indica J. F. Gmel., present status and future perspectives. Indian J. Nat. Prod. Resour., 2010, 1(4), 438–443.

  • Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R. and Anthony, S., Agroforestry Database: A Tree Reference and Selection Guide version 4.0. World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya, 2009.

  • Fern, K., Madhuca longifolia. Useful Tropical Plants Database, 2014; www.feedipedia.org (accessed on 12 October 2018).

  • Hegde, H. T., Gunaga, R. P., Thakur, N. S. and Sankanur, M. S., Stand structure and regeneration status of mahuva (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia), an important NWFP species of Gujarat. In Abstract Book of IXX Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, 2017, p. 68.

  • Anon., Developing a strategy for forest based livelihoods in Central India through assessment of major NTFP’s, Centre for Ecology Development and Research, Dehradun, 2013, p. 62.

  • Anon., Gujarat Forest Statistics, 2016–17, Gujarat Forest Department, Gandhinagar, 2017, p. 34.

  • Hedge, H. T., Gunaga, R. P. and Thakur, N. S., Population structure and regeneration of mahua (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Roxb.) A. Chev.) in disturbed and undisturbed sites. Indian J. Ecol., 2018, 45(4), 724–727.

  • Sikarwar, R. L. S., Mahua (Madhua longifolia (koen.) Macbride), a paradise tree for the tribals of Madhya Pradesh. Indian J. Tradit. Knowl., 2002, 1(1), 87–92.

  • Gavali, D. and Sharma, D., Traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation in Gujarat. Indian J. Tradit. Knowl., 2004, 3(1), 51–58.

  • Biswas, S. C., Majumdar, M., Das, S. and Misra, T. K., Diversity of wild edible minor fruits used by the ethnic communities of Tripura, India. Indian J. Tradit. Knowl., 2018, 17(2), 282–289.

  • Sharma, L., Samant, S. S., Kumar, A., Lal, M., Devi, K. and Tewari, L. M., Diversity, distribution pattern, endemism and indigenous uses of wild edible plants in Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve of Indian Trans Himalaya. Indian J. Tradit. Knowl., 2018, 17(1), 122–131.

  • Chambers, R., Rural appraisal: rapid, relaxed and participatory. In Participatory Rural Appraisal Methods and Applications in Rural Planning (ed. Mukherjee, A.), Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, 1995, p. 11.

  • Amrithalingam, M., Indian butter tree: ethnobotanical and environmental aspects. MFP News, 2000, 10(2), 9–10.


Abstract Views: 434

PDF Views: 133




  • Utilization of Mahua Resources:Traditional Knowledge as a Tool for Sustainable Management

Abstract Views: 434  |  PDF Views: 133

Authors

H. T. Hegde
College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, India
R. P. Gunaga
College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, India
N. S. Thakur
College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, India
J. B. Bhusara
College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, India
R. L. Soundarva
College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, India

Abstract


Mahua (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia Roxb. A. Chev.) tree has religious and aesthetic value in the ethos of many tribes of Gujarat, India. Traditional knowledge of the people about the various uses of mahua is shrinking rapidly due to the change in socioeconomic status. The present study was conducted to draw the utilization pattern of mahua resources and to document the traditional knowledge of the people involved in its usage in Gujarat. Information regarding pattern of utilization and traditional knowledge about mahua was collected using the participatory rural appraisal method. Results highlighted interesting information on traditional knowledge about processing, product development and medicinal value of mahua resources. The species is under threat and receives less care compared to the benefits drawn from it. Therefore, sustainable management of this valuable species is needed by taking a lesson from traditional knowledge.

Keywords


Mahua Resources, Sustainable Management, Traditional Knowledge, Utilization Pattern.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv117%2Fi10%2F1727-1730