Traditional use of plant resources by bankariya ethnic group in Makawanpur district, central Nepal

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Research Problem, Objectives and Guiding Hypothesis

3. Materials and Methods

4. Results

4.1 Ethnobotanical Documentation

4.2 Diversity of Plant Species

4.3 Category of Ethnobotanical Plant Species

4.4 Plants and Habit Categories

4.5 Plants of Medicinal Plants Used

5. Discussion of Results

5.1 Medical Uses of Plants

5.2 Plants as a Source of Food

5.3 Plants and Livestock Farming

5.4 Miscellaneous Plant Species

5.5 Decline in Traditional Ethnobotanical Knowledge

6. Conclusion

Research Objective and Scope

This study aims to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of the indigenous Bankariya ethnic group in the Makawanpur district of Central Nepal, specifically focusing on the identification and potential economic value of plants used for medicine, food, and other household purposes.

• Documentation of indigenous plant knowledge among the Bankariya people.
• Categorization of plant species by medicinal, nutritional, and utilitarian use.
• Analysis of sustainable plant resource management and its impact on local livelihoods.
• Investigation into the decline of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge due to socio-cultural changes.
• Exploration of the potential for sustainable trade in wild medicinal and edible plant species.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the significance of ethnobotanical research in developing countries and the unique context of Nepal's biodiversity and ethnic diversity.

2. Research Problem, Objectives and Guiding Hypothesis: Identifies the urgent need to preserve indigenous knowledge before it is lost to socio-cultural transformations and proposes that the Bankariya people possess significant traditional knowledge.

3. Materials and Methods: Describes the field study conducted in the Twanrakhola community, including data collection via interviews and group discussions with 45 local informants.

4. Results: Details the documentation of 109 plant species, classifying them by diversity, habit, and specific medicinal parts used.

5. Discussion of Results: Analyzes the cultural reliance on plants for medicine, food, and livestock, while highlighting the threat of eroding traditional knowledge systems.

6. Conclusion: Summarizes the study's findings, emphasizing the importance of sustainable management and the need for future pharmacological and phytochemical research.

Keywords

Bankariya, indigenous knowledge, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, biodiversity, Makawanpur, Nepal, wild edible plants, traditional medicine, sustainable livelihoods, plant taxonomy, conservation, ethnoecology, resource management, subsistence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this ethnobotanical study?

The study focuses on documenting the traditional uses of plants by the indigenous Bankariya people in Central Nepal to preserve their indigenous knowledge and identify potential economic resources.

What are the central themes covered in the paper?

The core themes include the identification of medicinal and edible plants, the cultural significance of forest resources, and the challenges posed by the erosion of traditional knowledge due to modernization.

What is the main research hypothesis?

The guiding hypothesis is that the Bankariya ethnic group possesses significant and valuable traditional knowledge regarding the utilization of local plant resources.

Which scientific methodology was utilized?

The researchers used a field-based ethnobotanical approach, combining personal interviews and group discussions with local informants, alongside botanical identification via herbarium specimens.

What does the main body of the paper address?

The main body systematically presents the documentation of 109 plant species, their categorization by use (medicinal, food, fodder), and a discussion on how these findings relate to the community's survival and future economic development.

Which keywords best characterize the work?

Key terms include Bankariya, indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants, biodiversity, ethnobotany, and sustainable livelihoods.

How many plant species were documented in total?

A total of 109 plant species, belonging to 49 families and 84 genera, were recorded and identified during the field study.

Why are the wild edible plants considered critical for this group?

Unlike other groups, the Bankariya people have traditionally relied heavily on the forest for their survival as they have not historically engaged in significant animal husbandry or commercial crop production.

What does the study conclude regarding future management?

The conclusion suggests that management plans for medicinal and edible plants could enhance both food security and income, provided there is equitable benefit sharing and active cooperation among stakeholders.