Final Added Vol 15-2.pmd 28 Folk use of plant resource at Madi valley of Chitwan District, Nepal B.K. Bishokarma1, C.K. Kinsey2, D.R. Dangol3 and P. Chaudhary4 The purpose of this study was to compare the use of the forest plant resources and folk nomenclature in the two communities of the Madi valley a Chitwan District. The information was collected during 2001 from 83 households in Chirauli and 57 households in Dhikurbari using semi-structured questionnaires. The folk nomenclature and relative importance of the plant species for medicine, firewood, fodder and timber differ in the two communities were recorded. A total of 128 species were reported in use by both communities, out of which 64 were common to both communities. The plant species used only in Chirauli accounted for 44 and that in Dhikurbari are 20. Tharu community of Chirauli reported higher number of plant species for medicinal, fodder and forage, fuel wood and timber than that of migrated people of Dhikurbari. Key Words: Chitwan is a district where existences of many ethnic groups make a web and offers opportunities to exchange knowledge on use of plant resources. This include naming, use and valuation of forest tree species for different purposes has now been transferred from one community to another. Many indigenous plants have been reported for various uses by ethnic communities (Khan, 1998; Manandhar, 1990; Rijal, 1994; Shakya et al., 1995; Dangol and Gurung, 1991; Mueller- Boeker 1993). Dangol (2002) has described many forest plant species of this district and their economic value. However, the plant resources used by migrant communities, use-value, naming and relative importance and comparisons in those aspects are yet to the subject of study. Hence, an attempt has been made here to document the species diversities that are used by two different communities of the Madi valley that differ in social, economic and cultural settings. The study dug out the information on the variation in both the villages on naming, use values and valuation for different purposes. Materials and Methods Survey site The study was conducted in two communities; Tharu in Chirauli and other migrants at Dhikurbari of the Madi valley of Chitwan District. These villages differ each other in socio-economic and cultural aspects. The people rely on the forest and forest products for their social, economic and cultural requirements. Churia hill range, which is rich in forest diversity, extends across the southern frontier of Madi region and offers many useful medicine, fodder, fuel wood and timber tree species to the dependents. Traditional norms still pervail in both the villages, as the Madi area itself is not highly accessible to the big cities and market set up. Information collection Since the knowledge on the use of forest plant diversity is uniformly distributed among different communities within same ethnic groups, only one village each from Tharu community and hill migrant community was purposively selected. In each village, a small tole (cluster) was selected to draw sample population. All the households in the selected tole were then interviewed using semi- structured questionnaires. A total of 83 households in Chirauli and 57 in Dhikurbari were surveyed, each figure representing 80% of total households in each village. 1Seed Tree Nepal, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal 2 Executive Director, SeedTree, Inc., USA 3Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal 4The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandies University, USA 29 Results and discussion Relative importance of plant resources in two communities Out of 128 plant species reported, 64 were common to both communities. Forty-four species were reported from Chirauli while 20 by Dhikurbari. During the survey, it was revealed that Neem (Azadirachta indica), Dudhkaraiya (Holar rhena antidycentrica), Jamun (Syzyzium cumini), Bel (Agle marmelos) and Med (Viscum album), were the most commonly used species for medicinal purpose in Chirauli, and those of Dhikurbari were Neem (Azadirachta indica), Hadchur (Med) (Viscum album), Dahikamle (Callicarpa macrophylla), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and Harro (Terminalia chebula). For fuelwood, Sal (Sorea robusta), Bakaina (Melia azedarach), Botdhairo (Lagerstromia parviflora), Sisau (Dalbergia sisoo) and Panan (Desmodium oojeinense) were most common in Chirauli, and Sindure (Mallotus phillippensis), Sal (Shorea robusta) Baira, Piyal and Botdhairo (Lageresrtomia parviflora), were the most common in Dhikurbari. However, many people put several species other than Sal in “Kukath” category (less important wood), the figures for different species might vary. Likewise, people in Chirauli valued Bakaina, Ipil- ipil (Leuceena leucocephala), Dumari (Ficus racemosa), Khanue (Ficus semicordata) and Panan for fodder, where as in Dhikurbari, Sajan (Demodium oojeinense), Galene (Leea crispa), Khannue (Ficus semicordata), Lampate (Aesculus indica) and Gayo (Bridelia retusa) were the most valued tree species for fodder purpose. For timber, Sal is the most common tree species followed by Bakaina, Sisoo, Satisal (Dalbergia latifolia) and Panan in Chirauli. In Dhikurbari, Sal is only one species that is used by large number of people followed by Bakaina, Saj (Terminalia alata), Gayo and Jamun. Results on use of each plant species for different purposes have presented in Table (2). Species use were higher for Chirauli (108) while that of Dhikurbari was 84 (Appendix 1). It revealed that the Tharu community used more plant species than did the migrant community. Multipurpose trees Many of the species reported in the two communities have more than one use, which further increase the importance of those species. In Chirauli, a total of 35 species are reported as multipurpose, of which Anp (Mangifera indica) and Jamun have fourfold uses, 11 species have threefold, and the rests 22 have twofold uses. In Dhikurbari, only 12 species were reported as multipurpose, of which 5 have threefold uses and rest 7 have twofold uses. Most of the multipurpose species reported in both the villages are used for firewood. The result shows that knowledge on naming, use methods and valuation of forest plant diversity in one community differs from another community due to, in part, variation in socio-cultural, economic and political situation. Since indigenous people use greater number of forest species more commonly than migrants do, they hold better knowledge and Table 1: Number of species reported for different purposes in Chirauli and Dhikurbari. Table 2: Five most important species for each purpose based on household survey DQG� *D\R� �%ULGHOLD� UHWXVD�� ZHUH� WKH�PRVW� YDOXHG� WUHH� VSHFLHV� IRU� IRGGHU� SXUSRVH�� )RU� WLPEHU�� 6DO� LV� WKH� PRVW� FRPPRQ� WUHH� VSHFLHV� IROORZHG� E\� %DNDLQD�� 6LVRR�� 6DWLVDO� �'DOEHUJLD� ODWLIROLD��DQG�3DQDQ� LQ�&KLUDXOL�� ,Q�'KLNXUEDUL��6DO� LV�RQO\�RQH�VSHFLHV� WKDW� LV� XVHG�E\� ODUJH�QXPEHU�RI�SHRSOH� IROORZHG�E\�%DNDLQD�� 6DM� �7HUPLQDOLD� DODWD���*D\R�DQG� -DPXQ�� 7KHVH� KRXVHKROGV� XVLQJ� HDFK� SODQW� VSHFLHV� IRU� GLIIHUHQW� SXUSRVHV� KDYH� SUHVHQWHG� LQ� 7DEOH� ���� DQG� � ����� +LJKHU� QXPEHUV� RI� VSHFLHV� ������ZHUH� UHSRUWHG� IURP� &KLUDXOL�IRU�GLIIHUHQW�XVH�ZKLOH�WKDW�RI�'KLNXUEDUL�ZDV������DSSHQGL[������)RU�DOO�WKH�XVH�� KLJKHU� QXPEHUV� RI� VSHFLHV�ZHUH� UHSRUWHG� IURP�&KLUDXOL� LQ� FRPSDULVRQ� WR�'KLNXUEDUL�� )URP� WKH� ILJXUH�� LW�ZDV� IRXQG� WKH�7KDUX�FRPPXQLW\�XVHG�PRUH�SODQW�VSHFLHV� WKDQ� WKH� PLJUDQW�FRPPXQLW\�GLG�� 7DEOH����7RWDO�QXPEHU�����RI�VSHFLHV�UHSRUWHG�IRU�GLIIHUHQW�SXUSRVHV�LQ�&KLUDXOL�DQG� 'KLNXUEDUL��� &RPPXQLWLHV 0HGLFLQDO )RGGHU�DQG�IRUDJH )XHOZRRG 7LPEHU &KLUDXOL ���������� ��������� ������� ��������� 'KLNXUEDUL ���������� ��������� ������� ��������� )LJXUHV�LQ�WKH�SDUHQWKHVHV�UHSUHVHQW�SHUFHQWDJHV�RI�WKH�WRWDO�XVHG�VSHFLHV� 7DEOH����)LYH�WRSPRVW�LPSRUWDQW�VSHFLHV�IRU�HDFK�SXUSRVH�EDVHG�RQ�KRXVHKROG�VXUYH\� �QXPEHU�RI�KRXVH�KROG�UHSRUWHG��IURP�&KLUDXOL 6�1� 0HGLFLQDO )RGGHU�DQG�IRUDJH )XHOZRRG 7LPEHU � 1HHP����� %DNDLQR����� 6DO����� 6DO����� � 'XGKNDUDL\D����� ,SHO�,SHO����� %DNDLQR����� %DNDLQR����� � -DPXQ����� 'XPUL����� %RWGKDLUR����� 6LVDX����� � %HO����� .KDQQXH����� 6LVDX����� 6DWLVDO ���� � 0HG����� 3DQDQ����� 3DQDQ����� 3DQDQ����� )LJXUHV�LQ�WKH�SDUHQWKHVHV�DUH�WKH�WRWDO�KRXVHKROGV�UHSRUWHG�WKH�VSHFLHV� 4 ��������� �Bridelia retusa ���� ������ � ������� ���� �������� ���� ������� ��������� ���� ������� ���� ��� ��� ��� � ������� ���� �������� ����� ��� ��� ��������� ������� �� ����� �Dalbergia latifolia ������������� ���������!��"��������������� �������������������� �� � ��� �������� ���#������������������� ����� �����������������$� �Terminalia alata ����������� %������ &����� ����������� ����#� ����� ���� � �������� ���� �������� � ��������� ����� ������ ��� ��� &����� �' � ���� � �( ��)�#���� �������� ��� �������� �*+, � ���� ����� ��� ����� �������������������� ����� ����� �� ����"���������� ����,- ��������.��* ���������� �������� ��#���� �������� ��� �������� ���� ����� ��� ����� �������� ��� ����������� ��"����������� ����� �����#����� � � ��� ������ ���&������������ ���������������� ��������� ���� ��� ��#��� �������� �������� � &�����*/�&� �����������0 ����������������� ��������������� ������������� ������������ "������������� Communities Medicinal Fodder and forage Fuelwood Timber Chirauli 56 (62.22) 43 (51.8) 45 (75) 18 (60.0) Dhikurbari 34 (37.78) 40 (48.2) 15 (25) 12 (40.0) Figures in the parentheses represent percentages of the total used species. � &�����'/������ ����� ������ �� ���������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� �� ������ �������� S.N. Medicinal Fodder and forage Fuelwood Timber a. Chirauli 1 Neem (57) Bakaino (80) Sal (80) Sal (75) 2 Dudhkaraiya (36) Ipel-Ipel (75) Bakaino (57) Bakaino (38) 3 Jamun (30) Dumri (55) Botdhairo (39) Sisau (31) 4 Bel (25) Khannue (47) Sisau (32) Satisal (29) 5 Med (22) Panan (29) Panan (22) Panan (27) b. Dhikurbari 1 Neem (32) Sajan (28) Sindure (46) Sal (50) 2 Hadchur (28) Goleni (20) Sal (21) Bakaino (15) 3 Dahikamle (18) Khanue (18) Baira (18) Saj (12) 4 Tulsi (17) Lampate (15) Piyal (17) Gayo (10) 5 Harro (10) Gayo (12) Botdhairo (13) Jamun (8) Figures in the parentheses are the total households reported the species. � Multipurpose trees 1������� ���������������� ������ ��� ��������� �������������� �������������������� �������� ������������� �������� �������� ��������������!�� ����������� � ������(2������ ��� Banko Janakari, Vol. 15, No. 2Bishokarma et al. 30 understanding of using native plant species. Since the several species used by one community differ from those used by another community, there is potential to repatriate planting materials and the knowledge from a place to another. The data also show that many people commonly use several species even though the species used in the two communities vary. More the commonly used for various purposes, higher might be the chance to be exploited and thus eroded. Therefore, many species will get endangered if initiative is not taken to conserve and utilize them. This necessitates detailed studies in the indigenous knowledge on morphology, habit and habitat, propagation methods, and the methods of use. In addition to conservation efforts, the useful forest diversity needs to be promoted for the social, economic and ecological benefits in the communities. This is possible only with the active participation of all the concerned stakeholders including local communities, who rely on forest products. Involving community forest users groups in problem identification, planning, implementation and evaluation processes can enhance management practices in the participatory action. The locally available species have to be registered using locally available methods and technologies, which will be helpful for certification process in future. There are several multipurpose tree species that need more attention than any other species in order to meet multiple needs of households and communities from a few thriving species where reforestation or tree planting activities can not be introduced. Acknowledgements Seed Tree, Inc. is duly acknowledged for financial support to undertake this study. References Cited Khan, M.H. 1998. Documentation of indigenous knowledge in the Chepang community of Shaktikhor, VDC, Chitwan. In: K.K. Shrestha, P.K. Jha, P. Sheingji, A. Rastogi, S. Rajbhandary and M. Joshi (eds.), Ethnobotany for conservation and community development, Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal, 96-101. Dangol, D.R. and S.B. Gurung. 1991. Ethnobotany of the Tharu tribe of Chitwan district, Nepal. Int. J. Pharmacognosy 29 (3): 203-209. Dangol, D.R. 2002. Economic uses of forest plant resources in western Chitwan, Nepal. Banko Janakari 12(2): 56-64. Manadhar, N.P. 1990. Folklore medicine of Chitwan district, Nepal. Ethnobotany 2: 31-38. Muller-Boeker,U. 1993. Ethnobotanical studies among the Chitwan tharus. Journal Nepal Research Center 9: 17-56. Rijal, A. 1994. Ethnobotany of Padampur: Analysis of dependency and conflict, M.Sc. thesis, Norwegian Center of International Agricultural Development. Agriculture University of Norway. Shakya, S.M., D.R. Dangol and A. Shrivastava. 1995. Exploration of under exploited vegetables of Chitwan District, Nepal. Research report submitted to NEMP-IUCN, Nepal.69-92. STN, 2002. Annual progress report: Integrated Human Ecology. Seed Tree Nepal, Chitwan, Nepal. Banko Janakari, Vol. 15, No. 2 Bishokarma et al. 31 Contd... Banko Janakari, Vol. 15, No. 2Bishokarma et al. 8 Appendix 1: Use of plant species in two communities Chirauli Dhikurbari S.N. Nepali and Latin names Habit Medicine Timber Fuel wood Fodder Medicine Timber Fuel wood Fodder 1 Amala, Phyllanthus emblica T x x 2 Amaro, Spondias pinnata T x x x 3 Amriso, Thysanolaena maxima H x x 4 Ank, Calatropis gigantea S x x 5 Ankhlejhar (Hadjorni), Equisetum debile H x 6 Anp, Mangifera indica T x x x x x 7 Archal, Antidesma acidum T x x 8 (Asidh) T x 9 Babari, Ocimum basilium H x 10 (Babin) T x 11 Babiyo, Eulaliopsis binnata H x x 12 (Babur), Acacia nilotica T x 13 Badahar, Artocarpus lakoocha T x x x x 14 Bakaino (Bakena), Melia azedarach T x x x x x x 15 Banjhi, Anogeissus latifolius T x x 16 Balu (Bariyar), Sida rhombifolia H x x 17 Bankera, Musa nepalensis H x x 18 Banso, Digitaria spp. H x x 19 Bar, Ficus benghalensis T x 20 Barro (Baraiya), Terminalia bellirica T x x 21 Bayar (Bahera), Zyziphus nummularia T x 22 Bel (Bel), Agle marmelos T x x 23 Betlauri, (Larkaiya), Costus speciosus H x 24 Bhalayo (Bhela), Semecarpus anacardium T x 25 (Bhatte) T x x x 26 Bhorla (Malhan), Bauhinia vahlii C x x 27 Bhui amala, Phyllanthus urinaria H x x 28 Bojho (Bach), Acorus calamus H x x 29 Bot dhairo, Lagerstromia parviflora T x x 30 (Charari) x 31 Charchare lahara, Parthnocissus semicordata C x 32 Chiuri, Aesandra butyracea T x 33 Dabdabe (Jhengra), Garuga pinnata T x 34 Dahikamle (Dahigona), Callicarpa macrophylla H x x 35 Dalchini (Tejpat), Cinnamomum tamala T x x 36 Datiun, Achyranthes aspera S x 37 Dhairo (Dhaira), Woodfordia fruticosa S x x x x x 38 (Dhama) x 39 Dhupi, Thuja compacta S x 40 Dhurseli, Colebrookea oppositifolia S x 41 Dudhe lahar, Trachelospermum lucidum C x 42 Dumri (Dumari), Ficus racemosa T x x x 32 Contd... Banko Janakari, Vol. 15, No. 2 Bishokarma et al. 9 Chirauli Dhikurbari S.N. Nepali and Latin names Habit Medicine Timber Fuel wood Fodder Medicine Timber Fuel wood Fodder 43 Galene, Leea crispa T x 44 Gandhe jhar, Ageratum conyzoides H x x 45 Gaujo, Milletia extensa S x 46 Gayo, Bridelia retusa T x x x 47 Ghiu kumari, Aloe vera H x x 48 Ghod tapre, Cassia tora H x x 49 Ginderi, Premna integrifolia T x 50 Gudurgano H x x 51 Gurjo ko lahara, Tinospora sinensis C x x 52 Gulmohar, Delonix regia T x 53 Hadchur (Med), Viscum album T x x 54 Hadebayar (Chhoti bayera), Zyziphus incurva S x 55 Harro (Haraiya), Terminalia chebula T x x 56 Imili, Tamarindus indica T x 57 Ipil Ipil, Laeucoena leucocephala T x x x x x 58 Jamun (Jamu), Syzygium cumini T x x x x x x x 59 (Jhingad), Lannea coromadelica T x x 60 Kadam, Anthocephalus kadamba T x x 61 Kainyo, Wendlandia puberula T x x 62 Kalikath, Glochidion velutinum T x x 63 Kans (Jhaksi), Saccharum spontaneum H x 64 Kapok, Ceiba pentandra T x x x x 65 Karma (Haldu), Adina cordifolia T x x x x x 66 Katahar, Artocarpus heterophylla T x x x x 67 Khamari, Gmelia arborea T x 68 Khannue, Ficus semicordata T x x x 69 Khayar (Kattha), Acacia catechu T x x x x 70 Khirro (Dudhkaraiya), Holarrhena pubescens T x 71 (Khuja) T x x 72 Kimbu (Muslendi), Morus alba T x x 73 Koiralo (Koirala), Bauhinia variegata T x x x 74 (Kumpadari) T x 75 Kumvi, Careya arborea T x 76 Kurilo (Khonta), Asparagus racemosus H x x 77 Kusum (Athera), Scleichiara oleosa T x x x x 78 Kutmiro, Litsea monopetala T x x x x 79 Kyamun (Kyamuna), Cleistocalyx operculatus T x 80 Lajjawati (Lajapati), Mimosa pudica H x x 81 Lampate, Aesculus indica T x 82 Lankuri, Fraxinus floribunda T x x 83 Latikath, Swida oblonga T x 84 Lunde kanda, Amaranthus spinosa H x x 85 Main kanda, Xeromphis spinosa S x 33 10 Chirauli Dhikurbari S.N. Nepali and Latin names Habit Medicine Timber Fuel wood Fodder Medicine Timber Fuel wood Fodder 86 (Morthaiya), Deeringia celisiodes T x 87 Mothe (Motha), Cyperus rotundus H x x 88 Neem (Nimi), Azadirachta indica T x x 89 Nimaro (Pakadi), Ficus roxbeurghii T x x x x 90 Palans, Butea monosperma T x x 91 Patpate , Physalis divaricata H x 92 Pharsa, Grewia pumila S x 93 Pidalu (Kachu), Colocasia antiquorum H x 94 Pidar, Xeromphis ulignosa T x 95 Pipal (Pipar), Ficus religiosa T x x x 96 Pipla (Pipari), Piper longum H x x 97 Piyal T x 98 Rajbrikchhya (Ahiroga), Cassia fistula T x x x 99 Rittha, Sapindus mukorossi T x 100 Rudilo (Dlehi bhanthi), Pogostemon benghalensis S x x 101 (Sahoroti) T x x 102 Saj (Asna), Terminalia alata T x x x 103 Sajan (Panwan), Desmodium oojeinense T x x x x 104 Sal (Sekhuwa), Shorea robusta T x x x x x 105 Sal lahara, Spatholobus parviflorus C x 106 Sarpagandha (Dharmaruwa), Rauvolfia serpentina H x 107 Satisal, Dalbergia latifolia T x x x 108 Satuwa, Paris polyphylla T x 109 (Sehuli) S x 110 Simal (Simar), Bombax ceiba T x x x 111 Sindure (Roeni), Mallotus phillippensis T x x x 112 (Sinuri) x 113 Siris Albezia spp. T x x 114 Siru, Imperata cylindrica H x x 115 Sisoo (Sisuwa), Dalbergia sisoo T x x x 116 Sitalchini (Sohajan), Moringa oleifera T x 117 Tanki, Bauhinia purpurea T x x x 118 Tatelo (Patsan) Oroxylum indicum T x x x x 119 Tantari (Tetari), Dillenia pentagyna T x x x 120 Tapre, Cassia tora H x 121 Teek (Sawan), Tectona grandis T x x 122 Thakal (Khajurati), Phoenix humilis H x 123 Thotne (Kothaiya), Ficus hispida T x x x 124 Timur, Zanthozylum armatum H x 125 Titepati (Pati), Artemisia dubea H x x 126 Tulsi, Ocimum tenuiflorum H x x 127 (Uchharinga) x 128 (Vellar), Trewia nudiflora T x Total 56 18 45 43 34 12 15 40 Word in parenthesis indicate Tharu name; x indicates species use.� Banko Janakari, Vol. 15, No. 2Bishokarma et al.