Pita Aalu (Dioscorea bulbifera L.) of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest: Diversity and ethnobotanical values with its role in Health Care

This is abstract of  accepted article , going to publish in National Institute of Technology

Sanjeet Kumar¹, Shakti Kant Rath² and Padan Kumar Jena¹

1.        Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack-75 3003, Odisha

2.        School of Life Sciences, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack-75 3003, Odisha

Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) forest is located in the district Mayurbhanj of the state, Odisha.It has a mixed type of vegetation such as semi-evergreen, tropical moist broadleaf and tropical moist deciduous forest. It is the hub of different tribal communities such as 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 bulbifera (Pita Aalu) is important as per availability and consumption rate. The details of the plant in terms of ethnobotanical values, diversity at SBR and its use in maintaining health care has been documented through field survey using passport data and from literature. The availability of this valuable wild tuber crop is declining due to various anthropogenic activities. Therefore an attempt was made to document the therapeutic values, diversity and food values of the plant parts. The implications of this study in terms of sustainable use by the tribal communities, conservation and environmental education have been discussed.

Key Words: Dioscorea bulbifera, Environmental Education, Genetic diversity, Health care, Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest

*Corresponding Author

  Sanjeet Kumar

Email-Id: sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com