Traditional knowledge of Ethno-medicinal plants in Lohit and Anjaw districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The aspect of traditional knowledge on medicinal plants was confined to elder members of the study area and largely oral has been transferred from one generation to the next through traditional healers and knowledgeable. The socio-economic study was conducted in the selected 14 circles of Lohit and Anjaw districts in and around the study area. The quantitative variables herbarium theorem, quadrat method, biodiversity indices, ethno medicinal knowledge of different tribes, assessment of rare, threatened and endemic species were evaluated in the district. The individual ethnic groups in Lohit and Anjaw district largely are linked in practices of horticulture, herbal gardening, pisiculture, poultry, tea plantation for fulfilling their domestic needs and cash income. The inferences of importance value index (IVI) diversity curve for tree, herbs, climber and shrub species showed a gentle slope for the selected forests of Lohit district while that of Anjaw district showed varying degree of differentiation in the district. It was discovered that most of the plant species (60%) had food and medicinal values. The Shannon-Wienner biodiversity index and Evennes index indicated the relative density and frequency of these species are rare while others are threatened with extinction. The diversity and relative abundance of lesser known plant species with food and ethno medicinal values in tropical and sub tropical forests to alpine of Lohit and Anjaw districts. The documentation and proper assessment of the status of wild and domesticated medicinal plants along with sustainable utilization practices needs to be adopted.