Surviving on Knowledge: Ethnobotany of Chepang community from mid-hills of Nepal

Abstract

The Chepangs of Nepal are rich in knowledge regarding the use of different plants and this knowledge has been transferred verbally through the generations. This study analyzed traditional knowledge regarding plant use among the Chepang communities from ward number 3 and 4 of Shaktikhor Village Development Committee located in the central mid hills of Nepal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants like traditional healers for medicinal plants, and elder people and women for edible and other useful plants. The 'artefact/interview' approach was also used. People were using 435 different plant species for 845 various uses. Eleven of these species belong to different IUCN threat categories. Stems had the highest number of uses (180) followed by whole plants (163) and leaves (134). Fodder had the highest number of species (198) followed by edible plants (136) and medicinal use species (115). 246 species had single-uses while 189 had multiple-uses. Fifty-six plants in use among Chepangs, were not reported in any previous documents from Nepal.

Is the life-supporting capacity of forests in the lower Mid-Hills of Nepal threatened?

“…An ethno-botanical study in the same area indicated that a total of 434 species are used by the Chepangs and out of these 362 are wild species (Rijal, 2011). This clearly indicates that significantly more species are found in the forest than enumerated in this study.…”

“…1) were selected for this study. The study area falls in Mahabharat hills which are inhabited by the highly forest-dependent (Rijal, 2011) ethnic group called Chepang. Many publications mention that the forest resource base has decreased as a result of their extraction of forest products (Gurung, 1994;Bhattarai, 1995;SNV/SECOW, 1995) but, so far, these statements have not been supported by quantitative evidence.…”

“…For all life forms Shannon's diversity index was highest in the MBL forests (Table 3). Out of 362 wild species used by the Chepangs (Rijal, 2011) only 180 (49.7%) were observed within the plots. Among these 180 useful species, 31 had four different uses or more, 25 had three uses, 40 had two uses and 86 had only a single use.…”

Unlocking Uncultivated Food for Mountain Livelihood: Case from Hindu Kush Himalayas

“…A number of uncultivated plants having medicinal values have been used by the people in the region. Nontimber forest products in general and medicinal plants in particular are principle source of household health care of many rural households of the region (Adnan et al, 2012;Rijal, 2011;Shinwari, 2010;Thapa, 2009;Manandhar, 2002). Local people living in these areas since generations have been using these plant species through their indigenous knowledge to cure various diseases.They know the preparation of raw drugs from herbs through personal experience and ancestral prescription.…”

Traditional healing practice in Rajbanshi and Satar Community of Jhapa, Nepal

“…Documentation of their indigenous knowledge through the ethnobiological approach may be significant to lead the discovery of drugs or to contribute for the economic development of local as well as nation 5 . In Nepal, a number of ethnobiological studies have been conducted 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 but many parts of the country remain unexplored.…”