Ethnoveterinary Plants used by Rural People of Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh, India

Author: Monika Guleria and Radha

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Abstract

The present study was conducted in Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, district Mandi, located in Himachal Pradesh, to collect and document the traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge utilized by the local communities. A total of 100 ethnoveterinary plants belonging to 88 genera and 52 families were recorded from the study area. Informants were selected through the snowball method, and the documentation involved direct interviews, group discussions, and questionnaires. A total of 97 informants were selected for traditional information. Most of the plant species reported from the study site belong to the Fabaceae family, followed by Moraceae and Euphorbiaceae families. Most plant species collected from the study area were trees (34), followed by herbs (31) and shrubs (19). Leaves were the most used plant part for ethnoveterinary practices. The most common livestock diseases reported from the study site were skin infections, digestive problems, eye infections, and foot and mouth diseases. The plant remedies were used in the form of paste, powder, and extract. During the present survey, it was noticed that older people have more diverse traditional knowledge of plants used for veterinary purposes compared to the younger generation. The main aim of the present survey was to collect and document the traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge from Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

Keywords

Ethnoveterinary, Traditional, Wildlife, Sanctuary and Knowledge

Conclusion

The traditional knowledge regarding the use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants is typically passed down orally from one generation to the next without proper documentation or written records, a practice observed worldwide. Unfortunately, this valuable traditional knowledge on the healing properties of plants is gradually diminishing over time. The current study was conducted in Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Sunder Nagar tehsil of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. The rural inhabitants of the study area rely on ethnoveterinary medicinal plants to treat diseases in their livestock due to their easy availability, affordability, and minimal or no side effects. This study aims to document the ethnoveterinary medicinal plants, providing a valuable database for future research studies. Trees, herbs, and shrubs were identified as the most used ethnoveterinary medicinal plants by rural inhabitants. Notably, this study marks the first documentation of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants from Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary. The rural inhabitants reported using these plants both internally and externally for treatment purposes. However, they expressed concern over the declining interest of the new generation in traditional knowledge. Therefore, it is imperative to urgently document the ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used by rural inhabitants in Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh

References

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How to cite this article

Monika Guleria and Radha (2024). Ethnoveterinary Plants used by Rural People of Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(4): 70-79.