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Ethnobotanical notes of the Rabha community in Mataikhar reserve forest of Kamrup district, Assam, India

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Botany, S.B.M.S College, Saulkuchi, Kamrup district, Assam- 781103, INDIA
  • 2Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Diphu Campus, Karbi Anglong, Diphu, Assam-782 460, INDIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 3, Issue (6), Pages 26-33, June,2 (2014)

Abstract

The pattern of interactions between people and forest constitutes key issue for conservation of protected areas. Ethnobotanical knowledge of the Rabha ethnic group residing in fringe area of Mataikhar reserve forest in Kamrup district, Assam is presented here. Field study design included Rapid Ethnobotanical Appraisal method; village walks and walk along forest transect with key informants, group discussion with women and interview of traditional healers.Though agriculture is the mainstay of the forest Rabhas wild plant resources collected from Mataikhar reserve forest is indispensable for food security, medicines and socio-cultural well-being.Their cultural practices of resource utilization and beliefs have elements of sustainability which acted as natural deterrents against over exploitation.Value addition of local products can contribute to food security, health and well-being of rural mass and forest people. Studies on people-forest interactions must incorporate the role of women because despite being active users of biodiversity their invaluable contribution remained neglected in many instances.

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