Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online)

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES OF SOME TREE SPECIES IN

KHOWAI DISTRICT OF TRIPURA, NE INDIA

M.SHARMA*, C. L. SHARMA AND JABA DEB BARMA WOOD SCIENCE AND FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY,

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, NORTH EASTERN REGIONAL Received on: INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, th 10 Jan. 2013 NIRJULI-791109 (ARUNACHAL PRADESH).

[email protected] Accepted on: th 12 Feb. 2013 ABSTRACT:

Revised on: Ethnobotanical investigations were carried out in Khowai district of Tripura to 3rd March 2013 collect the information about tree resources used by Debbarma community of Tripuri tribe in their surroundings. The present study has documented a total Published on: of 64 tree species belonging to 32 families which are used for fuel, fodder, 1st April 2013 medicines, religious and construction purposes. The utilization of tree species Volume No. like Alstonia scholaris, Areca catechu, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Cocos Online & Print nucifera for multipurpose reflects the immensive knowledge of people 4(2013) towards their local flora. The utilization of fruits of Crescentia cujute for Page No. making musical instruments shows the skill and creativity of this tribe for 60 to 80 each and every part of the tree. The present study also highlights the

indigenous practice of conservation of valuable tree species like Aegle

marmelos.

KEY WORD: Ethnobotany, North-East India, Debbarma community, Trees.

INTRODUCTION: Life Sciences Leaflets Trees are valuable gift of nature and represent one of the important is an international open access print & e components of each and every terrestrial ecosystem (Seth, 2004). They play an journal, peer reviewed, important role in conservation of ecosystem, in maintaining quality of water, worldwide abstract in preventing or reducing the severity of floods, avalanches, erosion and listed, published every month with ISSN, RNI drought, removing harmful air borne particles and sequestering carbon Free- membership, (Nowak and Crane, 2002; Nowak et al.,2007).They are also major source of downloads and access. pleasure, recreation and subsistence like food, medicines, sugar and fats etc. and play an important role in satisfaction of peoples ’needs. Thus, the

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Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online) dependence of people on trees is unlimited. Available literature reveals that 1.2 billion people use trees on farms to generate food and cash in developing countries. North- East India comprising of eight states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim represents approximately 8% of country’s total geographical area. It is a home of about 225 tribal communities (Chatterjee, 2006). It is one of biodiversity hotspots of the World due to richest reservoir of plant diversity in India (Mao et al., 2009) Tripura, a small hilly state is situated in the southern most part of north-east states. It is a land-locked state and its geographical limits touch both national and International boundaries. It shares its international boundary line with Bangladesh and national boundaries with Assam and Mizoram. The total area of state is 10,491 km2 which forms 0.32% of country’s geographical area. Currently the state has 60.02% recorded forest area, from which 66.33% is reserved forests, 0.03% is protected forests and 33.64% is unclassified forests (FSI, 2011). Tripura is rich in its plant wealth and has 379 tree species, 320 shrubs, 581 herbs 165 climbers, 16 climbing shrubs, 35 ferns and 45 epiphytes (Kshirsagar and Upadhaya 2009). The state is inhabited by 19 tribes namely Jamatia, Chakma, Halam, Kuki, Chaimal, Uchoi, Magh, Garo, Lushai, Bhutia, Lepcha, Bhil, Munda, Oraon, Mog, Santhal, Murasing, Reang and Tripuri. Most of the tribal communities are still living in and around the forests. They have immensive traditional knowledge on plant resources and dependent on them for their subsistence. Amongst 19 tribes, Tripuri tribe belongs to famous Tibeto-Burmese tribal group and deb barma is the major community of this tribe which has its own culture and tradition. An examination of literature reveals that voluminous work has been done on the documentation of medicinal plants and their utilization by indigenous tribe (Singh et al.1997; Majumdar et al. 2006; Majumdar and Dutta 2007; Das et al. 2009; Shil and Chaudhary, 2009). Since no ethnobotanical investigation has been made on tree species used by this tribe, therefore the present study has taken up to identify and document ethnobotanical knowledge about the tree resources used by them growing in their surrounding areas.

STUDY AREA: The present study was carried out in the villages of Kalyanpur and Padmabil development blocks of Khowai district. It is located in 230 16’ to 240 14’North latitude and 910 09’ to 910 47’ East longitude. It is bounded by Bangladesh in North and West side, Dhalai in East and South Tripura in south (Fig.1).For the present study, 3 villages of Kalyanpur development block namely Nutangaria Dophadar para, Gayangfung para and Rajni Sardar para and two villages of Padmabil development block namely Moglam para and Nolang bari were selected for ethnobotanical survey of tree species. These villages were dominated by Debbarma community of Tripuri tribe.

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MATERIALS AND METHOD: Survey method and data analysis The survey was carried out in selected villages with suitable questionnaires. Personal interviews were also conducted among people of all age groups except below 18 years without any gender distinction regarding ethnobotanical knowledge on trees. They were asked to list down the available tree species present in their surroundings in local dialect ‘Kokborok’. The information on vernacular names, different uses of tree, parts used and local beliefs were noted down. During survey, necessary photographs of trees were taken and their plant parts were collected for identification purpose. These were identified by authors, faculty of Department of Forestry and with the help of existing literature. Herbarium specimens were prepared by standard methods and deposited in Department of Forestry, NERIST. For the present study, random sampling technique was used and a total of 85 questionnaires were distributed among men and women. The present study was carried out during October, 2011-March, 2012.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: A total of 64 tree species belonging to 32 families are recorded for the present study. Maximum numbers of tree species belong to family Fabaceae. These tree species are useful in one way or other for local community. List of recorded tree species with their local names, families, parts used and ethnobotanical uses are presented as below: 1. Botanical name: Abroma augusta Linn. Vernacular name: Muishok Family: Malvaceae Parts used: Leaves and young shoots Ethnobotanical uses: Paste of the leaf is applied to heal wounds and to relieve joint pain or back pain. Young shoots are used as food. 2. Botanical name: Acacia nilotica Linn. Vernacular name: Ganthanakshi Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Fruits, roots and their bark Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are eaten as ‘chutney. Root’s bark is boiled with water and used as mouth-wash to cure toothache. It is also used to make Tabiz to remove the witch. 3. Botanical name: Aegle marmelos Correa ex Koen. Vernacular name: Bel

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Family: Rutaceae Parts used: Leaves, stem and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used for religious purposes. These are used as fodder and given to goats for curing stomach disorder or loose motion. Fruits are eaten raw and boiled as well. Fruit pulp is used against stomach disorder. Stem wood is considered good for making “asan” for placing idols and branches are used as firewood and are required in religious occasions. This tree is also assumed as “Chaudhury” (Head) of village in absence of any suitable candidate and take decision by gathering around the tree. 4. Botanical name: Albizzia procera Benth. Vernacular name: Khwrwi Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Stem and bark Ethnobotanical uses: Stem wood is used as timber and firewood. Bark is used as fish poison. 5. Botanical name: Annona squamosa Linn. Vernacular name: Aataphal Family: Annonaceae Parts used: Fruits and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and branches are used as firewood. 6. Botanical name: Alstonia scholaris R. Br. Vernacular name: Chethuang Family: Apocynaceae Parts used: Branches, stem and leaves. Ethnobotanical uses: 3-4 drops of white sap obtained from young stem is given to kids for curing loose motions. Leaves are used by ‘Ojha’ for performing any rituals. The wood is used for making cradle which is believed to be good for health of babies; for making “Khamplai” (a low height stool). There is belief that if mother feeds her baby while sitting on Khamplai, the baby is saved from any evil spirit; and for making “Juwal” that is kept on the neck of oxen during ploughing. 7. Botanical name: Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. Vernacular name: Agar Family: Thymeliaceae

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Parts used: Stem and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Both branches and stem are used as firewood. It is believed that it makes the departed soul pure if it is used for cremation. 8. Botanical name: Areca catechu Linn. Vernacular name: Kuwai Family: Arecaceae Parts used: Fruits, leaves, stem Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are used for religious purpose. Strong midribs of leaves are used as broom sticks. The stem wood is used as fire wood and for making ‘Rwsambi’ (Weaving instrument). 9. Botanical name: Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb. Vernacular name: Gerum Family: Moraceae Parts used: Fruits, stem and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible. Stem wood is used for making furniture and branches are used as firewood. 10. Botanical name: Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam Vernacular name: Thaipung Family: Moraceae Parts used: Fruits, bark, stem, leaves, branch, seeds Ethnobotanical uses: Unripe fruits and seeds are edible. Ripe fruits after removing seeds are used for making local wine and its outer cover is used as animal feed. Bark and leaves are used as ingredients in making “Chuwan”-a starter for making local wine. Leaves are used as fodder and also as fuel after mixing with cow dung. The wood is used for making furniture. 11. Botanical name: Averrhoa carambola Linn. Vernacular name: Kamaranga Family: Oxalidaceae Parts used: Fruits and leaves Ethnobotanical uses: The fruit juice mixed with sugar is used to cure jaundice. Decoction of leaves are used for taking bath to relieve from jaundice.

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12. Botanical name: Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Vernacular name: Neem Family: Meliaceae Parts used: Fruits, leaves, branches, bark, seeds Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits, leaves, bark and seed are used as insecticide. Fruits and bark are grounded with water to make paste and sprayed in infected paddy fields. The dried powder of seeds are mixed with cow dung and used as fertilizer and insecticide as well. Fresh leaves are consumed during stomach problem, cough, cold, pimples, fever, small pox and chicken pox. Branches are used as tooth brush against toothache. 13. Botanical name: Baccuria sapida Lour. Vernacular name: Kushumai Family: Euphorbiaceae Parts used: Fruit and branch Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and branches are used as fire wood. 14. Botanical name: Bombax ceiba Linn. Vernacular name: Borchu Family: Malvaceae Parts used: Seeds, branches, stem and young leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Young leaves are used as fodder. Cotton extracted from seeds is used for stuffing pillow, mattresses etc .Branches are used as fire wood and stem wood is used for making ceiling. 15. Botanical name: Canarium bengalense Roxb. Vernacular name: Dhup Family: Combretaceae Parts used: Resin, branches and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Resin is collected from stem by giving cuts at convenient height. Large amount of resin is also extracted at the base of tree and from the roots after the tree dies. It is dried under sun and shiny part of resin is used for healing mouth soars by making paste with coconut oil. Branches and stem are used as firewood. Its wood is used for making furniture. 16. Botanical name: Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC. Vernacular name: Baikang Family: Fabaceae

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Parts used: Flowers and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Flowers are used for religious purposes and branches are used as fire wood. 17. Botanical name: Carica papaya Linn. Vernacular name: Kuwaifal Family: Caricaceae Parts used: Fruits Ethnobotanical uses: Unripe fruits are used as vegetable and ripe fruits are consumed as dessert. 18. Botanical name: Caryota urens Linn. Vernacular name: Swmal Family: Arecaceae Parts used: Stem and fruits Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible as substitute of areca nut with “Pan” and stem is used for making “Rwsambi” (Weaving equipment) 19. Botanical name: Cassia fistula Linn. Vernacular name: Swkathuri/Honar Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Seed, leaves and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Paste of seeds are applied on mammary glands for the treatment of galactorrhoea. Leaves are used to cover the banana bunches for ripening. Also, Young leaves are used as laxative and are eaten with cooked rice. Its wood is considered best for construction purposes. 20. Botanical name: Cinnamomum verum Breyn. Vernacular name: Dalchini Family: Lauraceae Parts used: Bark, leaves, branches and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Bark is used as spices. Fresh and dried leaves are used in tea and pulses as flavoring agent. Stem and branches are used as fire wood. 21. Botanical name: Citrus limetta Risso Vernacular name: Mosambi Family: Rutaceae

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Parts used: Fruits Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible. 22. Botanical name: Citrus maxima (Linn.) Osbeck Vernacular name: Jambura Family: Rutaceae Parts used: Fruits and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and mostly offered in “Lakshmi Puja”. Branches are used as fire wood. 23. Botanical name: Citrus sinensis (Linn.) Osbeck Vernacular name: Kamala Family: Rutaceae Parts used: Fruits and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and its peel is dried and consumed with “pan”. Branches are used as fire wood. 24. Botanical name: Cocos nucifera Linn. Vernacular name: Narikwra Family: Arecaceae Parts used: Fruits, leaves and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and used for making sweets like “Laddu”. The fruits with or without fibrous cover are used in religious ceremonies. The innermost hard woody fruit cover is used for making “Daba” (Hookah) and “Pota” or “Marium Pota” to measure the quantity of rice grains and to collect latex from rubber trees. The outermost fibrous fruit cover is used for making ropes. It is burnt to repel insects and mosquitoes. It is also used as scrubber. Hard midribs of leaves are used for making brooms. Stem is used to make “Rwasambi” (weaving material).It is believed to be holy for departed soul if the dead body is burnt with its wood. 25. Botanical name: Cresentia cujete Linn. Vernacular name: Bel-twilok Family: Bignonaceae Parts used: Fruits Ethnobotanical uses: The mature and bulky fruits are scooped out, dried properly and is used to store salt and dry vegetables. It is also used for making musical instruments like “Ektara”.

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26. Botanical name: Dillenia indica Linn. Vernacular name: Thaiplok Family: Dilleniaceae Parts used: Fruits and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are sour in taste. They are used to make pickle and cooked with pulses. Branches are used as fire wood. 27. Botanical name: Diospyrous peregrine (Gaertn.) Gurke Vernacular name: Bol-fantok Family: Ebenaceae Parts used: Leaves and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used for making beedi. Branches are used as fire wood. 28. Botanical name: Elaeocarpous floribundus Blume Vernacular name: Jalpai Family: Elaeocarpaceae Parts used: Fruits, branches, stem, leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are used to make pickles and chutney. Leaves are used as fodder for goats. Branches and stem are used as fire wood. 29. Botanical name: Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Vernacular name: Amla Family: Phyllanthaceae Parts used: Fruits and branch Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and branches are used as fire wood. 30. Botanical name: Erythrina variegata Linn. Vernacular name: Manda Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Branches and Leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used as fodder. Branches are used as fire wood. 31. Botanical name: Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. Vernacular name: Sichu

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Family : Euphorbiaceae Parts used: Leaves Ethnobotanical use: Leaves are used for curing cough. Leaves of E. neriifolia, Ananas comosus, Adhatoda vasika and honey are warmed together to make a paste. It is given to kids suffering from cough. In another mode of preparation, the juice of leaves is squeezed by heating on fire. It is mixed with water, honey, ginger, tulsi and pine apple and is drunk before meal for recovering cough. It is also used as ear drop. 32. Botanical name: Ficus hispida Linn. Vernacular name: Khamta Family: Moraceae Parts used: Bark and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Bark is used for healing wounds. A paste is made with water and applied on wounds after heating. Branches are used as fire wood. 33. Botanical name: Flacourita jangomas Raeush. Vernacular name: Supra Family: Salicaceae Parts used: Fruits, branches, stem, inflorescence Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are very delicious. They are also consumed in the form of pickle. Spikes are used to cure toothache and are hanged on the door to keep away evil spirits. Both branches and bole are used as fire wood. 34. Botanical name: Garcinia cowa Roxb. Vernacular name: Kok Family: Clusiaceae Parts used: Fruits, Leaves, branches and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used as fodder for cow and goats. Fruits are edible. Stem wood is used for light furniture. Branches are used as fire wood. 35. Botanical name: Gmelina arborea Roxb. Vernacular name: Gamai/Gamari Family: Verbenaceae Parts used: Stem, leaves and flowers

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Ethnobotanical uses: Flowers are edible. Young leaves are used to cure boils and wounds by making their paste with water. Wood is used for making doors and windows. 36. Botanical name: Hevea brasilensis (H. B. & K) Muell.-Arg. Vernacular name: Rubber Family: Euphorbiaceae Parts used: Latex Ethnobotanical uses: Latex is collected from lower part of tree for marketing. Whole tree is used as fire wood after 30 years. 37. Botanical name: Jatropha curcas Linn. Vernacular name: Kiran/Jatropha Family: Euphorbiaceae Parts used: Fruits, branches and seeds Ethnobotanical uses: Branches are used to clean teeth. Seeds are poisonous to human beings. They are used as medicine also. White part of seeds are mixed with water and its paste is applied externally to heal boils. 38. Botanical name: Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Vernacular name: Teligodom Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Seeds Ethnobotanical uses: Seeds are edible. 39. Botanical name: Litchi chinensis (Gaertn.) Sonn. Vernacular name: Lichu Family: Sapindaceae Parts used: Fruits, branches and leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible. Young and dried leaves are used as fodder. Branches are used as firewood. 40. Botanical name: Mangifera indica Linn. Vernacular name: Thaichuk Family: Anacardiaceae Parts used: Leaves, flowers, fruits and roots.

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Ethnobotanical uses: Flower, branches, leaves and fruits are used for religious purposes. Leaves are also used as fodder. Roots along with bark are boiled with water and used as mouth wash to cure tooth ache. 41. Botanical name: Mesua ferea Linn Vernacular name: Nakshi Family : Clusiaceae Parts used: Stem Ethnobotanical uses: Stem wood is used for making “Romo” (wooden base to crush rice). 42. Botanical name: Michelia champaca Linn. Vernacular name: Champa Family: Magnoliaceae Parts used: Stem, branches and flowers Ethnobotanical uses: Flowers are very fragrant. These are used for religious purposes and to keep away the bed bugs. Branches are used as fire wood. The wood is considered best for making furniture. 43. Botanical name: Microcos paniculata Linn Vernacular name: Pisla Family: Malvaceae Parts used: Leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used to cure joint pain. 44. Botanical name: Moringa oleifera Lam. Vernacular name: Sejna Family: Moringaceae Parts used: Flowers, fruits, leaves, bark and root. Ethnobotanical uses: Flower, fruit and leaves are eaten as vegetable after cooking. Leaves are also used as fodder. Roots are used to relieve from pain. A mixture of its bark along with arhar root and base of banana plant is used to recover headache. Stripped bark is kept in the home or holes for chasing or keeping either snake or rats away from the house during full moon. 45. Botanical name: Morus alba Linn. Vernacular name: Mwkhwi youngfuk Family: Moraceae

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Parts used: Leaves and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used to rear silkworms and branches are used as fire wood. 46. Botanical name: Nyctanthes arbotris-tris Linn. Vernacular name: Hengra Family: Verbenaceae Parts used: Leaves, flowers, branches, bark and roots Ethnobotanical uses: Flowers are offered to Goddess Durga in Durga Puja. Leaves are cooked as one of the dish in death anniversary. Leaves and young branches are used against stomach disorder. Bark is used to heal wounds. There is a belief that tying of roots around cattle’s neck keep them healthy. 47. Botanical name: Phoenix dactylifera Linn Vernacular name: Khejur Family: Palmaceae Parts used: Fruits, leaves, inflorescence, Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible. Leaves are used for decoration and mainly offered in Saraswati Puja. Spikes are used for weaving clothes. 48. Botanical name: Phyllanthus acidus Linn Vernacular name: Lehri Family: Phyllanthaceae Parts used: Fruits and leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible. Fruits are boiled to extract juice and used to cure cough. Leaves are boiled with neem leaves and is used for taking bath to cure chicken pox infection. 49. Botanical name: Psidium guajava Linn. Vernacular name: Goyam Family: Myrtaceae Parts used: Fruits, leaves and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used as fodder. The young leaves are consumed with water in empty stomach to cure gastric problem. Paste of young leaves with raw egg in empty stomach is considered best against diarrhea. Branches are used as fire wood. Fruits are edible and considered good for health.

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50. Botanical name: Ricinus communis Linn. Vernacular name: Letok Family: Euphorbiaceae Parts used: Seed Ethnobotanical uses: Seeds are grinded and cooked. Oil gets floated on the upper surface that is collected and can be stored for further uses. 51. Botanical name: Sesbania grandiflora Linn. Vernacular name: Bogoful Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Leaves, branches and flowers Ethnobotanical uses: Leaves are used as fodder for goats, as medicine for curing body ache or joint pain. Flowers are edible. Branches are used as fire wood. 52. Botanical name: Spondias pinnata (Linn. f.) Kurz Vernacular name: Thastwi Family: Anacardiaceae Parts used: Fruits, branches and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible. Both branches and stem are used as fire wood. 53. Botanical name: Sterculia villosa Roxb. Vernacular name: Lambak Family: Sterculiaceae Parts used: Seeds, flower and bark Ethnobotanical uses: Bark is used as rope to make belt of “Langa”(a traditional basket) or for tying animals .Seeds are consumed in limited amount after frying. Flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati during Pushpanjali. 54. Botanical name: Sterculia sp. Roxb. Vernacular name: Kenkachwi Family: Sterculiaceae Parts used: Seeds and bark Ethnobotanical uses: Similar to Sterculia villosa Roxb.

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55. Botanical name: Stereospermum personatum (Hassk.) D. Chatterjee Vernacular name: Silai Family: Bignoniaceae Parts used: Branches Ethnobotanical uses: Branches are used as fire wood. 56. Botanical name: Streblus asper Lour. Vernacular name: Saruwa Family: Moraceae Parts used: Branches and leaves Ethnobotanical uses: Branches are used to clean teeth and fire wood as well. Leaves are used as fodder. 57. Botanical name: Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels Vernacular name: Jamun Family: Myrtaceae Parts used: Fruits, stem and branches Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are edible and pickle is also made from these. Stem wood is used for making furniture. Branches are used as fire wood. 58. Botanical name: Syzygium jambos (Linn.) Alston Vernacular name: Gudaijam Family: Myrtaceae Parts used: Branches Ethnobotanical uses: Branches are used as fire wood. 59. Botanical name: Tamarindus indica Linn. Vernacular name: Thentrwi Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Fruits, leaves, bark, branches and seed Ethnobotanical uses: Both ripe and unripe fruits are edible. They are also used to make pickle. Leaves are used as fodder. Fruits and leaves are used as scrubber for cleaning glass wares and bronze articles. Dry bark is eaten with “pan”. Fried or cooked seeds are taken as delicacy. Branches are used as fire wood.

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60. Botanical name: Tectona grandis Linn. F Vernacular name: Segun Family: Verbenaceae Parts used: Branches and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Stem wood is used for making high quality furniture. Branches are used as fire wood. 61. Botanical name: Terminalia bellerica Roxb. Vernacular name: Boira/Bakhla Family: Combretaceae Parts used: Fruits and branch, Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are good for stomach ailments and branches are used as fire wood. 62. Botanical name: Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Merrill Vernacular name: Koirobi Family: Apocynaceae Parts used: Seed Ethnobotanical uses: Seeds are very poisonous to human beings. 63. Botanical name: Toona ciliata Roxb. Vernacular name: Rangeen Family: Meliaceae Parts used: Flowers, branches and stem Ethnobotanical uses: Flowers are used in “Garia Puja” (a festival of Tripuri tribe). Branches are used as fire wood and stem wood is used for constructions and furniture. 64. Botanical name: Zizyphus jujube Mill Vernacular name: Boroi Family: Rhamnaceae Parts used: Fruits, branches, leaves and bark Ethnobotanical uses: Fruits are pickled. Leaves are used as fodder for goats. Branches are used as fire wood. Its bark along with barks of Mangifera indica, Garcinia cowa, Citrus sps. and spikes of Phoenix dactylifera are crushed together and boiled with water. It is then used as mouth wash to relieve from tooth ache. The common uses of tree species are firewood (45 species), fruits (27 species), medicines (23 species), fodder (14 species),

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Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online) food (11 species), religious (10 species), fencing and others (15 species) (Fig. 2). Most of tree species like Artocarpus heterophyllus, Areca catechu, Alstonia scholaris, Aegle marmelos, Canarium strictum, Cocos nucifera, Moringa oleifera etc. are multipurpose which reflects that people of local community have good ethnobotanical knowledge of their local flora. The present study reveals that tree make a large contribution to the medicines. The most used plant parts for medicines are leaves followed by stem’s bark and fruits, while resins, seeds, roots and spikes are rarely used (Fig. 3).The maximum utilisation of leaves may be rich in active chemical components. Among recorded tree species, Moringa oleifera is only species whose different parts are used for curing many diseases. The utilization of dry and dead branches of 45 tree species for firewood shows the consciousness of local community for protection of their biological resources. Also, most of the fruits recorded are edible. The fruit cover of Cresentia cujete is used for making musical instruments (Fig 14) and as a container for storing dry vegetables and other edible items. Further, extraction of rubber from Hevea brasiliensis for making rubber sheets (Fig 12),utilization of leaves and bark of A. heterophyllus in combination with leaves of pineapple, sugar cane ,guava and chillies for making Chuwan (starter of local wine) (Fig 13) and selling of these products in local markets indicate that trees also play an important role in their livelihood. Local beliefs and paying respect to some tree species like A.marmelos and Azadirachta indica show the indigenous practices of conservation of these valuable species.

CONCLUSION: Tripura, a small hilly state situated in the southern most part of north-eastern states, is rich in its plant wealth. The present study was carried out in Khowai district of Tripura which is dominated by Debbarma community of Tripuri tribe. The main aim of the study is to identify tree species in their surroundings and record in detail their ethnobotanical uses. A total of 64 tree species belonging to 32 families were documented. The tree species are used for fodder, food, fire wood, medicines, construction, religious purposes etc. Among these species, dry and dead branches of 45 sps. as fire wood, 27 sps. for fruits, 23 sps. for medicines, 14 sps. for fodder and 10 sps. for religious purposes are used. The plant parts used for medicines are leaves, bark and fruits. The present study reveals that local people are dependent on the trees in their surroundings. Hence, it is the need of hour to create awareness among people on cultivation and conservation of tree species which are widely used for medicinal purposes.

REFRENCES: Chatterjee S., Saikia A.,Dutta P., Ghosh D., Pangging G. and Goswami A. K. 2006. Biodiversity significance of North East India. WWF India New Delhi.

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Das H. B., Majumdar K., Dutta B. K. And Ray D. 2009. Ethnobotanical uses of some plants of Tripuri and Reang tribes of Tripura. Natural Products Radiance 8(2): 172-180.

FSI 2011. Indian state of forest report. 286pp.

Kshirsagar R. and Upadhaya S.2009. Free radical scavenging activity screening of medicinal plants of Tripura, North East India. Natural Products Radiance 8(1) 117-122.

Majumdar K. and Datta B. K. 2007.A study on ethnomedicinal usuage of plants among the folklore herbalists and Tripuri medicinal practitioners. Part 1. Natural Products Radiance 6(1): 66-73.

Majumdar K., Saha R., Datta, B. K. and Bhakta T.2006.Medicinal plants prescribed by different tribal and non tribal medicine men of Tripura state. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge5(4):559-562.

Mao A. A., Hyniewta T. M.and Sanjappa M.2009. Plant wealth of North East India with reference to ethnobotany. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 8: 96-103.

Nowak D. J. and Crane D. E. 2002. Carbon storage and sequestration by Urban trees in USA. Environmental Pollution 116:381-389.

Nowak D. J., Hoehn R. and Crane D. E. 2007. Oxygen production by urban trees in United states. Arbiculture and Urban Forestry 33:220-226.

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Shil S. D. and Chowdhury M.2009 Ethnomedicinal importance of Pteridophytes used by Reang tribe of Tripura, North East India. Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 634-643

Singh H. B., Hyniewta T. M. And Bora P. J. 1997. Ethno-medico botanical studies in Tripura, India. Ethnobotany 9:56-58.

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Fig 1: Map showing the study area

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50 45 45 40 35 30

25 27 20 23 15 15 10 14 11 10 5 0 Firewood Fruits Medicines Fodder Food Religious Others

Fig 2: Bar diagram showing the uses of trees

16 14 12 14 10 8 6 4 5 5 2 4 3 2 2 0 LEAF STEM BARK FRUIT SEEDS,RESIN ROOTS AND YOUNG BRANCH AND SPIKES ITS BARK SHOOT

Fig 3: Bar diagram showing the tree parts used as medicinal purpose

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Fig 4: Annona squamosa Linn. Fig 5: Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. Fig 6: Acacia nilotica Linn.

Fig 7: Azadirachta indica A. Juss Fig 8: Abroma augusta Linn. Fig 9: Baccurea sapida Lour.

Fig 10: Cresentia cujete Linn. Fig 11: Moringa oleifera Lam. Fig 12: Rubber sheet

Fig 13: Chuwan Fig 14: Ek tara from C. cujete Fig 15: Belt of “Langa” (Traditional (Starter for rice wine) basket) from Sterculia villosa

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