Ethnobotany of <i>Dioscorea</i> L. with emphasis on food value in Chepang communities in Dhading district, central Nepal

Abstract

Chepang, inhabiting the rugged terrain of Mahabharat and Churia range in central Nepal, is a group of indigenous people suffering from severe food insecurity. Their ancestors lived a semi-nomadic life up to one and half century back. To a large extent, Chepang still continue their traditional way of living, which includes collection of wild tubers ('kandamul'), hunting and fishing. Chepangs are especially connected with the tubers of Dioscorea spp. Wild and cultivated species of Dioscorea are being used as sources of carbohydrates to supplement cereal food. However, dependency on such wild food is decreasing with adoption of agriculture. In this study we documented local knowledge on the diversity and use of Dioscorea species among Chepang in Dhusa and Jogimara Village Development Committees in Dhading district. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, forest transect walk and participatory observations. Out of 13 species of Dioscorea reported from all over Nepal, 10 species have been recorded from the study area. Chepang people use one species (Dioscorea deltoidea) as detergent and the rest nine species are exclusively used as food although many of them have multiple utilities. Chepang people have diverse knowledge in the identification, processing and consumption of wild tubers of Dioscorea spp. and such knowledge might have developed as a strategy to combat severe food scarcity. Use of disproportionately higher number of Dioscorea species by a single ethnic group and within a comparatively small territory indicates very close affinity of local cultural practice and the nature. The richness of knowledge associated with wild tubers and high dependency of Chepang on them is the manifestation of severe food insecurity and traditional mode of life due to their social and economic isolation for long time.

Potential of Neglected and Underutilized Yams (Dioscorea spp.) for Improving Nutritional Security and Health Benefits

“…Different Dioscorea species plays a remarkable position in the traditional medicines for the treatment of various diseases (Kumar et al, 2017). There are numerous reports available on ethno-medicinal uses of different Dioscorea species worldwide (Mishra et al, 2008;Sharma and Bastakoti, 2009;Sheikh et al, 2013). In South Asia, the tuber syrup is used to reduce labour pain and to treat various diseases such as colic pain, asthma, cough, rheumatism, and gastric problem (Foster and Duke, 2000).…”

Dioscorea spp. (A Wild Edible Tuber): A Study on Its Ethnopharmacological Potential and Traditional Use by the Local People of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India

“…(Coursey, 1967 ; Schultz, 1993 ; Langland and Burks, 1998 ) while D. hispida Dennst. (Figure 2.8 ) is distributed in Tropical and Sub-tropical regions, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaya, New Guinea, Malaysia, Fujian, Bhutan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sikkim, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Africa (Sharma and Bastakoti, 2009 ; Nashriyah et al, 2011 ). D. pubera Blume is native to the Indo-China region (Asiedu et al, 1997 ) and D. pubera Blume is distributed throughout the temperate, tropical Americas, China, wet regions of Himalayas, Central Nepal, Western Malaysia, and Bhutan (Coursey, 1967 ).…”

“…are used as body refrigerant during summer and are also used to treat diarrhea (Dutta, 2015 ). D. bulbifera L. is used against tuberculosis and raw tuber of D. pentaphylla L. against diphtheria in cattle (Sharma and Bastakoti, 2009 ). Tubers of D. oppositifolia L. (Figure 2.7 ) are used in the treatment of swellings, scorpion stings, and snake bites (Dutta, 2015 ).…”

Dioscorea spp. Exploration at Manokwari Regency, West Papua, Indonesia

“…Dioscorea hispida Dennst (Gadung / Bitter Yam) originates from southern Asia [20] and spreads in tropical and subtropical regions of the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Guinea, Fujian, Bhutan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sikkim, Thailand, Cambodia , Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Africa [32], [33]. It was found in Manokwari at temperature of 25.5 0 C, humidity of 88.2% and night time so that the light intensity cannot be measured.…”