Tribal Way of Livestock Husbandry: An Ethnobotanical Survey of Purulia District, India in Search for Fodder Plants: Neutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Relevance

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the Purulia district, India in order to explore the use of plants as fodder as a part of the traditional livestock husbandry practiced by the aboriginal groups such as Santhal, Bhumija, Munda, Oraon, Birhor, Mal Paharya, Kharia, Kharwar, Gond and Ho. A total number of 103 informants (78 males and 25 females) were chosen for the interviews and 33 ethnobotanicals were reported as fodder plants for the domesticated animals. Poaceae and Moraceae represent maximum number of forage plants (6 each) whereas, leaves represent the most prolific plant part consumed by the animals. Aspects such as nutrient and anti-nutrient content, pharmacological and neutraceutical significance of the forage plants were added which reflects the scientific and economic aspects of such folkloric uses.