P. K. Pandit , R. K. Bhakat

Abstract

Ethno-medicinal plants are traditionally used by local tribal people of Paschim Medinipur District (West Bengal) since long for their healthcare. As many as 90 ethno-medicinal plant species have been identified which were traditionally used to cure gynaecological disorders like leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, etc. These were also used to treat related ailments and problem like birth control, contraception, gonorrhoea, spermatorrhoea, syphilis, regulation of menses and act as an aphrodisiac.

Keywords

Ethno-medicinal Plants, Gynaecological Disorders, Traditional Uses, Tribal People,
West Medinipur District, West Bengal

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R. K. Bhakat , U. K. Sen , P. K. Pandit

Abstract

Many traditional conservation ethics of people directly or indirectly protect forest patches by dedicating them to local deities. Such forest pockets, referred to as sacred groves, are more or less small to large chunk of traditionally maintained near-virgin forests protected on sociocultural grounds. Named differently in different states of India, these groves are mainly concentrated in tribal areas and are managed by local people for various purposes. Irrespective of their origin, size and management regimes, all sacred groves are islands of biodiversity protecting a host of plant and animal species including some rare and threatened taxa. With this background, this paper attempts to highlight the role played by a 4-acre sacred grove (popularly known as'Sitabala than') of West Midnapore District in West Bengal towards conservation of plant diversity. The study records 80 species of angiosperms covering 42, 10, 16 and 12 species of herbs, shrubs, trees and climbers respectively. Moreover, the grove supports few locally useful medicinal plants. Owing to protection offered on socio-religious grounds, the sacred grove provides optimum conditions congenial for the growth of plants. As a result, some of the trees attain maximum dimensions in terms of size and growth patterns. Therefore, there is an urgent need not only to protect the sacred forest, but also to revive and reinvent such traditional way of nature conservation.

Keywords

Sacred Grove, Conservation, Sitabala Than, West Midnapore, West Bengal

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R. K. Bhakat , P. K. Pandit , P. P. Maity

Abstract

Sacred groves are small tracts of near-virgin forests protected by the indigenous communities. Being the storehouses of medicinal plants, these are a unique Indian way of in-situ conservation of biodiversity. This paper deals with an account of the role played by Chilkigarh sacred grove in West Bengal in the conservation of regional ethnomedicinal trees. The study records 30 species of locally useful tree species of which 4 are rare in the wild. The paper calls for continued protection of the grove and also recommends to incorporate this traditional way of nature conservation into management plans.

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R. K. Bhakat , P. K. Pandit

Abstract

Sacred groves are small patches of forests protected by local communities on religious grounds. A repository of medicinal plants, these are a unique traditional Indian way of in-situ conservation of biodiversity. This paper deals with 18 sacred groves of Purulia District of West Bengal and also highlights the role played by these groves in medicinal plant conservation. The study for the first time records 56 species of medicinal plants growing in these groves. It also mentions the threats to the sacred groves.

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R. K. Bhakat , P. K. Pandit

Abstract

Sacred groves are tracts of near-virgin forests , the vestiges of an ancient practice in which people protected forest patches. A repository of medicinal plants , these are a unique example of the all-embracing concept and practice of the Indian way of in-situ conservation of biodiversity. This paper deals with an account of the role of Chilkigarh sacred grove in the conservation of regional medicinal plants. It records for the first time 105 species of useful medicinal species of which 12 are threatened elsewhere in the Midnapore District. The paper also calls for the continued protection of the grove.

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Ram Kumar Bhakat , P. K. Pandit

Abstract

No abstract

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P. K. Pandit , S. P. Sinha

Abstract

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (JWLS) harbours 34 rhinos. In India several incidences were noticed where death occurred in elephant and rhino due to anthrax attack. The first incidence of anthrax attack in wild elephant was reported in January and early February, 1994. Symptoms of carcass and blood testing report confirmed it was anthrax. To save the captive elephants in JWLS total 29 elephants (20 adult and 9 calves) were vaccinated with anthrax spore vaccine cutaneously by injection. As anthrax is a cattle borne disease so approximately 17,000 cattle of nearby villages were also similarly vaccinated. To save the most endangered species Rhinoceros unicornis in JWLS vaccination programme was carried out in which a total 24 of wild rhinos (out of 34) were vaccinated- the first record of Wild rhino vaccination with anthrax spore vaccine in West Bengal. Later on no death of rhino due to anthrax attack was noticed. Full details of the procedure are given in this paper. Out of total 24 rhinos 9 males and 11 females were in productive age groups (15 - 45 yrs) which indicates the possibility to increase the number in future if adequate protection measures are ensured.

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P. K. Pandit

Abstract

Jhargram Forest Division has been surveyed for the availability and uses of ethno veterinary medicinal plants. A total of 96 plant species has been identified as ethno veterinary medicinal plants used in traditional animal health care. These 96 plants belong to 54 families and 89 genera occupying different habit groups and strata. These species constitute 33 per cent of total medicinal plants found in the Midnapore district and used to cure / treat 37 veterinary ailments / disorders. Maximum plants (33 nos.) were used to cure digestive tract related disorders and leaf individually used in maximum cases (30) in respect of use of plant part. Among these identified plant species, 43 species were found in the forests, 26 species in both forests as well as non forest areas and 27 species were cultivated as garden plants or cash crop.

Keywords

Ethno Veterinary Medicinal Plants, Animal Health Care, Traditional Uses, Local People, JFMC Members, Jhargram Division, West Bengal, India

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P. K. Pandit

Abstract

A survey has been conducted in Jhargram Division of West Bengal for the availability, type and quantity of NTFPs. A total of 85 NTFPs are identified which includes plants of different habit groups, occupying different strata and types of vegetation. Range wise quantification of 33 products has been done. Although NTFPs are collected for different uses like domestic utility, marketing but its maximum use is for medicinal purposes. Different plant parts of same plant are used for different purposes. Prices of available 85 products have been ascertained. Identification of commercially important plants has been done. All marketed NTFPs are purchased by city based pharmaceutical companies or other dealers from local dealers. Although collection of NTFPs is related to livelihood of JFMC members and associated with business of several million rupees however, only a little control mechanism over their collection, storing, marketing, etc. was found.

Keywords

NTFPs, Domestic Utility, Marketing,jhargram

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