Ethnomedicinal Diversity and Traditional Knowledge System of the Jaunsari Tribe in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India. Section B: Biological sciences India. Section B: Biological sciences, 2024-02, Vol.94 (1), p.177-192
• Main Authors: Bhatt, Shobha, Kumar, Amit, Arunachalam, Ayyanadar, Arunachalam, Kusum
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ethnomedicine; Flowers & plants; Indigenous knowledge; Knowledge; Life Sciences; Medicinal plants; Nucleic Acid Chemistry; Plant Biochemistry; Research Article
• ISSN: 0369-8211; 2250-1746
• DOI: 10.1007/s40011-023-01514-y

The mighty Himalaya is recognized for its distinctive ethnic communities, each of which demonstrates a unique ethnomedicinal knowledge system. It is noteworthy that such indigenous knowledge systems are linked to the age-old techniques of traditional healers. Keeping this in view, the present study was conducted to assess the diverse ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Jaunsari tribe of Uttarakhand, western Himalaya. We conducted semi-structured survey for individual interviews and focused group discussions with 120 respondents (67 males and 53 females) of different age groups including the native herbalists and traditional healers. Information on the folk myths and beliefs associated with ethnomedicinal plants and immunity modulator species was also gathered. The significance of the plant species was quantified by using family use value, use value index, and informant consensus factor. The current study reported a total of 100 vascular plant species belonging to 94 genera under 57 families used against various human ailments including dermatological disorders and general health issues. Bergenia ciliata , Swertia chirayita (0.98 each), followed by Curcuma longa, and Picrorhiza kurroa (0.96 each) were high use valued species among the community. Our results show that the current transitions, over-exploitation, and lack of youth engagement in traditional practices have the high impact on ethnomedicinal practices vis-a-vis threat to the entire traditional knowledge system. Therefore, it is submitted that the documentation of indigenous knowledge in people’s biodiversity register as envisaged by the National Biodiversity Act (2002) is practical solution to preserve ethnomedicinal wealth of the region.