Diversity and medicinal properties of Dioscorea bulbifera L.: A valuable wild tuber crop of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Odisha

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Diversity and medicinal properties of Dioscorea bulbifera L.: A valuable wild tuber crop of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Odisha

Sanjeet Kumar, Shanti Prava Behera, Prakash Kumar Tripathy, Ankita Singh, Shkati Kant Rath and  Padan Kumar Jena

Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack- 753003, Odisha

Abstract

Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) forest is located in the district Mayurbhanj of the state, Odisha. Government of India declared SBR as a Biosphere Reserve in 1994. UNESCO  added the National Park to its list of Biosphere Reserve in May 2009. The National Park has total area of 2,750 Km² and the average elevation of 559.31 meters. It has a mixed type of vegetation such as semi-evegreen, tropical moist broadleaf and tropical moist deciduous forest. It is the hub of different tribal communities living in 64 villages inside the SBR. The major aboriginals are Mankardia, Kharia, Kolho, Santhal, Munda etc. They do agriculture for short periods and depend on wild plants for their food and medicine. Among their wild foods Dioscorea species are important as per availability and consumption rate. These wild tubers locally known as “Ban Aalu” or “Sanga”. The common Dioscorea species available in SBR are Dioscorea puber, Dioscorea hispida, Dioscorea pentaphylla, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea oppositifolia etc. Among Dioscorea species, Dioscorea bulbifera is more common. It has sound ethnobotanical values and also frequently used as food by the tribal communities of SBR. It is used against syphilis, toothache, aphthae, psoriasis, rheumatism, aphrodisiac, rejuvenator, tuberculosis, leprosy, urinal troubles and diabetics. It is also taken as cooling agent to reduce body heat during summer and as contraceptive by the tribal ladies. The tubers and bulbils are eaten as vegetables and snacks after much preparation due to their bitterness. It is very popular food as main meal along rice. Dioscorea bulbifera is frequently found in Gurguria of SBR. It is also rich at Ghatkumari, Kasipani, Bakua , Sanuski  etc. The availability of this valuable wild tuber crop is declining due to various anthropogenic activities. Therefore urgent need to take appropriate steps for the conservation of this plant for sustainable use of bioresource. It will be helpful for the documentation of ethnobotany and development of new drugs.