Diversity of Ethno-medicinal Plant: A Study in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand

Indian Himalayan region has widespread traditionally used medicinal plants. The ethnomedicinal plants perform a vital role in the nourishment across the Globe. Kumari et al., (2012) and Palni (2001). According to Sharma et al., (2020) the community of Uttarakhand state exercises the use of available medicinal herbs that particularly rely on the conventional knowledge as a primary resource for their medical care. Chandra et al., (2016) Tewari et al., (2014). Plants has a major role in our everyday life and the development of the advanced medical care system. Over the past years, the research of medicinal plants and its traditional herbal cure has remarkably raised. In India, traditional medicines are widely used in pharmaceutical fields and also as a dietary therapy (Kumar et al., 2020). According to WHO, 70 per cent of people in developed countries utilize some other alternative or substitute medicines. Several research studies on traditional medicinal herbs have been reported that it displays a potential cure against numerous health disorders and diseases. Palni (2001), Singh et al., (2007), Singh and Rawat (2011), Uniyal (2003).
       
United Nations defines traditional knowledge as this is a type of local knowledge for human achievement in comprehending the complexities of life and survival in often unfriendly environments Uniyal (2004). Medicinal plants are used for spiritual activities as worshiped of god and goddesses. In Uttarakhand, medical facilities are very less in number. Due to unavailability of modern health facilities, poverty, connectivity with urban centre, awareness, etc people in hilly and rural areas are still depend on traditional medicines for their health care. Some of the communities are using wild plant parts for healthcare. Traditional knowledge may be technical, social, organizational, or cultural was obtained as part of the great human experiment of survival and development. This provides the basis for problem-solving strategies for local communities, especially the poor.
       
The properties of medicinal plants and their economic values were well-understood by the locals through observation, necessity, trail and experiences passed on from the elders. Common health disorders like aches, pains, wounds, respiratory problems and musculoskeletal diseases are cured by using indigenous herbs. The locals usually use medicinal plants without prior guidance from the traditional herbalist since from ages such plant species are used (Singh et al., 2017). Various researches depicts that in Uttarakhand people are using medicinal plants in wide range.  Many studies have been conducted on the use of medicinal plants in the Uttarakhand region but documentation of indigenous knowledge among women is still lacking. Singh et al., (2010) studied that Z. armatum is popularly used in the Indian system of medicines. Conventionally, the Bhotias of Dharcula in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand use this plant as a source of food and medicines. In the Dharchula region of Pithoragarh district, the native people intake Cordyceps with alcohol. Before consuming, they soak the Cordyceps into the alcohol for a short duration. Investigated the isolation of Cordycepic acid, i.e. an isomer of quinic acid present in cinchona bark from the fungus Cordyceps. The value of medicinal plants is high for taking appropriate measures to conserve these species and use them for economic upliftment of the region (Garbyal et al., 2004). According to Pandey et al., (2017) many studies have been conducted on the use of medicinal plants in the Uttarakhand region but documentation of indigenous knowledge among women is still lacking. Keeping all these points in mind a research investigation was designed with the following objectives:
 
[1] To document the ethno-medicinal plants of the area and to collect information regarding ethno-medicinal use of plants.
[2] To make a platform for future research.

The study was performed at Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand located at 29.58° North latitude and 80.22° East latitude. It lies in the revenue Division of Kumaon and situated in the centre of the western half of the Saur Valley. Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,483 km² of which 86 per cent is mountainous and 65 per cent is covered by forest. Uttarakhand has a multiplicity range of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 34,666 km², which constitutes 65 per cent of the total area of the state. Uttarakhand is home to rare species of plants and animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. About 18,000 plant species have been recognised in the state out of which 1,800 are deemed to be of medicinal value. Herbal Research and Development Institute helps conserve medicinal herbs that are found in abundance in the region. Local traditional healers still use herbs, in accordance with classical Ayurveda texts, for diseases that are usually cured by modern medicine.
       
Present research study was conducted to document the ethno-medicinal plants used traditionally in Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragadh District of Uttarakhand. Out of 219 villages under tehsil Munsyari, total five villages viz; Basari, Chhija, Diya Palla, Kheta, Kutima were selected purposively. Participatory Rural Appraisal, Group Discussion techniques were used to document the medicinal plants. These medicinal plants are highly valuable and appropriate for economic upliftment of the region. The collected information was validated by consulting important works pertaining to medicinal plants and ethno-botany and identification of medicinal plant species was made with the help of available literature and local experts.

The present study compiles 59 ethno-medicinal plants species for various medicinal purposes. The present study explores the therapeutic uses of medicinal plant species and the associated traditional knowledge preserved by the indigenous community in Kumaun region.
       
The documentation of 59 plantspecies collected from study areas and their medicinal use against various ailmentsare presented in Table 1. Species names are followed by vernacular names, localnames, habit of plant and plant parts used.


       
Diseases are the obscenity for society ever since it arrived on this planet. Human are doing struggle against many diseases from ancient period. Thus, Humans have developed a system for curing diseases through medicinal plants. All over the World, many people depends on forest and forest products like medicinal plants, aromatic plants, edible roots, food and many other things for their livelihoods as well as primary health needs. During the survey it was found that hilly people were using more than forty medicinal plants for curing the diseases.
       
Almost all the hilly people are using medicinal plants as per the need required.

Market value of medicinal plants
 
Data related to market value of medicinal plants were collected from local collectors and traders. During field survey, it was found that Allium Stracheyii (Jambu), Bergenia Ciliata (Pashanbed), Cordyceps sinensis (Keeda), Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Hathajari, Salam Panja), Picrorhiza kurroa (Katki) medicinal plants are found in larger amount having values in more than 3 to 4 lakh Rs (Table 2).


       
According to Official database of the HRDI, during 2006-07 to 2012-13 a total of 3419 transit passes were issued to the different growers for marketing of approximately 4939 MT, medicinal plants raw material belonging to almost 18 to 22 species. The value of this material was almost Rs. 92,625,000 or US$ 1,684,703.
       
According to Kuniyal et al., (2003), based on the trends in marketing of Saussurea lappa and Picrorhiza kurrooa, these species may be categorized as low-volume and high-value medicinal species of Uttarakhand. Saussurea lappa and Picrorhiza kurrooa are enlisted as endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Cultivation of S. lappa and P. kurrooa is encouraging for the conservation as well as it will be a valuable optional activity for improving rural livelihood. Constant supply of S. lappa and P. kurrooa from cultivated sources has encouraged the Government of Uttarakhand for fixing minimum procurement prices for these species.

Practices to conserve indigenous rare, endangered medicinal species
 
Herbal Research Development Institute (HRDI), Uttarakhand has set up a Herbal Museum in Chamoli district to promote the conservation of rare and endangered indigenous medicinal plant species. There is an urgent need for such a museum, following an uptick in the demand for herbal products across the world. Herbal renaissance is occurring is a global concept, as herbal products are considered safer than synthetic modern drugs. Looking at the importance of medicinal and aromatic plant-based natural products, HRDI has developed a National-level Herbal Museum (Hindustan, 2020).
       
Uttarakhand is a storehouse of a rich variety herbs and medicinal and aromatic plant species. The Government intends to exploit this advantage. Uttarakhand has observed an increase in the area under cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants. The number of farmers engaged in cultivation of aromatic plants in Uttarakhand has dramatically increased from 301 in 2003-04 to 2714 in 2006-2007 and the area under aromatic plants has increased tenfold.

On the basis of above paper, this can be concluded that in Uttarakhand people are closely linked with nature. People are dependent upon food, fruits, fodder and medicinal plants for their healthcare. Hilly people use these traditionally available medicinal plants for health and believe that these are easily available, less expensive and have no side effects as compare to modern medicine. Present scenario as deforestation, tourism affects medicinal plants. Thus, conservation of these species is necessary. Proper policies should be needed to conserve the forests and medicinal plants.