Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 9(1), January 2010, pp. 61-67 Ethnobotanical studies of Dehang–Debang Biosphere Reserve of Arunachal Prad esh with special reference to Memba tribe P Rethy*, B Singh, R Kagyung & PR Gajurel Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University), Nirjuli791 109, Arunachal Pradesh E-mail: [email protected] Received 4 December 2006; revised 30 April 2008 Dehang–Debang Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) is located in the Northeastern part of the Eastern Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh. The tribal communities inhabiting in and around DDBR are Ashings, Boris, Bokars, Shimongs, Palibos, Khambas, Membas, Gallos, Minyongs and Mishmis . The Khambas and Membas centered on Gelling, Tuting and Singa near the Siang river of Upper Siang district are quite different culturally as well as ethnically from Adis and other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The study was carried out in 6 villages of Upper Siang district which are inhabited by Membas . During the field survey, 88 useful plant species belonging to 47 families and 58 genera documented, 24 species are used as vegetable, 18 species are used as medicine and 13 species are used as edible fruits. Apart from these, some selected species are used for stupefying and trapping fishes, spice, edible oil, fodder, and fiber, packaging material and for religious practices. In the paper, ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of plant species along with their vernacular names and parts used are discussed. Keywords: Dehang–Debang Biosphere Reserve, Membas tribe, Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine, Medicinal plants, Arunachal Pradesh IPC Int. Cl. 8: A61K36/00, A61P1/04, A61P1/06, A61P1/10, A61P1/12, A61P1/14, A61P1/16, A61P19/00, A61P29/00 The Eastern Himalayas is situated on the confluence characterized by the beautiful, gentle, wide valley of zone of the Indo-Malalayan, Afro-tropic & Indo- the Siyum River on one hand and imposing gorge of Chinese bio-geographical realms and is an important the Siang on the other. There are 28 major tribes and centre of diversity and origin of important crop 110 sub tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. The major tribal species 1,2 . Arunachal Pradesh, the 12 th mega diversity communities inhabiting in and around DDBR are region of the world, located between 91 ˚30 ′E and 96 ˚E Ashings, Bokars, Boris, Gallos, Khambas, Membas, may also be considered as one of the major Minyongs, Mishmis, Palibos and Shimongs. Khambas ethnobotanical hotspots with 63.66% tribal population and Membas inhabit close to northern borders of and 81.25% forest coverage 3,4 . Dehang–Debang Upper Siang–Gelling, Tuting and Singa. Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) established under the Many tribal areas and tribal communities in the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) program, is Northeast India are either under explored or located in the North-eastern part of Arunachal unexplored with regard to their floral wealth along Pradesh comprising of total 5,111.50 sq km of which with their ethnobotanical aspects. In India, more than 4,094.80 sq km is central core zone surrounded by a 300 wild plant species are used as subsidiary buffer zone of 1,016.70 sq km. It falls under 10 food/vegetables by tribals, and out of 800 plants, at administrative circles of 4 districts Dibang Valley, least 250 plants can be developed as a new sources of East Siang, West Siang and Upper Siang districts. The food in the near future 7. About 300 wild edible plant main rivers flowing through the DDBR are Dehang species have been reported from Northeast India 8. So (or Siang) and Debang and their tributaries. Hence, far, various researchers have reported 1,350 species of 5,6 the name Dehang–Debang Biosphere Reserve . The plants used in ethnomedicinal preparations, 665 topography of the Siang part of DDBR is species food plants and 899 species of miscellaneous 9 _______________ uses from entire Northeast India . In Northeast India, *Corresponding author extensive ethnobotanical/ethnomedicinal work have 62 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 9, No. 1, JANUARY 2010 been done on various tribes such as Adis, Chakmas, Forest and Director of Dehang Debang Biosphere Khamptis, Apatanis, Nyshis, Monpas, Hill Miris and Reserve and related officials. For selection of study Yobins, there is hardly any ethnobotanical records on sites, information has been collected from district Memba tribe 10-22 . Floristic work on DDBR has also administration and circle officers. The study was been carried out 23 . Hence, this ethnobotanical undertaken in 6 villages namely Bona, Kopu, Gelling, investigation was taken up to study and to document Tuting, Biching and Jido of Upper Siang district. their traditional knowledge about the utility of plant Among which first 5 villages are inhabited by resources surrounding them. Membas and the last one is dominated by Adi tribe. Memba community utilizes various plants in their For data collection standard questionnaire was made daily life to fulfill their multidimensional necessities. and data were recorded accordingly 25 . During data They have rich traditional knowledge about plant collection, informal discussion was held with the resource utilization. Membas are one of the immigrated village head ( Gaon-Burahs) , medicine man, head of tribes to this region from Tibet with high sense of the family and aged knowledgeable persons (age culture as well as having a language of their own with group 30-90 yrs) and required information on specific script. It is believed that the Membas are the medicinal plants and edible non timber forest products first group of people immigrated from Tibet to this regarding their use, utility pattern, local beliefs, etc. region at about 10 or 11 generation ago 24 . They are were collected. Voucher specimens of all recorded Buddhists by religion and quite different culturally as plants particularly the wild plants have been collected well as ethnically from Adis and other tribes, who are and herbarium specimens were prepared for their neighbours. From the anthropological point of identification following standard methods 25-32 . view, Membas are Mongoloid in their ethnic origin, Voucher specimens have been deposited in the belonging to Tibeto- Burman subfamily of Tibeto- Forestry Herbarium of the Department of Forestry, Chinese Linguistic group. Total population of Membas North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and in Arunachal Pradesh is 2,202 (Census1991). The Technology (Deemed University), Nirjuli. Membas are mainly agriculturalists and grow cash crops such as wheat, maize, millet, potato, cereals and Results and discussion paddy. Orchards of oranges are grown in their area. During field survey, 88 plant species collected Their houses, which are made from stone, wood, belonging to 47 families and 58 genera are arranged thatching grass and bamboos, resemble those of the with families, vernacular names in Memba (M), Adi Monpas of West Kameng district. However, due to (A) & Assamese (As), Mode of preparation, dietary relative isolation from Tibet and occasional contacts forms and uses (Table 1). The new and interesting uses with the Adi tribes, they are also somewhat influenced of plants have marked with an asterisk. Among these, by the Donyi-Polo (the Sun and the moon) faith in their 24 species are used as vegetable, 18 species are used as beliefs. In every village there is a Buddhist Lama. The medicine and 13 species are used as edible fruits. Out main festival that is celebrated is Losar . Rice and of the 24 species used for vegetables, some plants like millets are the staple food. Leaves of various wild Fagopyrum esculentum, Amaranthus sp , Begonia plants and vegetables are taken in large quantities. The Josephii, Clerodendrum colebrookianum, Osbekia common domestic animals are pigs, mithun, cattle, chinensis, Piper mullesua, Pteridium aquilinium, goat, and chicken by which they can meet their protien Spilanthes panicles, Solanum nigrum, Dioscorea alata, requirements. Meat is preserved for a long period by Houttuynia cordata, etc . are commonly preferred by all smoking it over fire. Jhum (shifting) cultivation is the villagers. Among the medicinal plants, Centella age old indigenous method of cultivation with the help asiatica, Coptis teeta, Garcinia pedunculata, Morus of tools such as dao and hoe or stricks . This is the only macoura, Psidium guajava, Solanum stramonium are practical method of cultivation on steep slopes of the commonly used in gastrointestinal problem. Coptis hills and is closely linked with social custom, teeta is being used commonly for antimalarial mythology and beliefs. Hunting and fishing is also a treatment as it is known for and also used in the part and parcel of their way of life. treatment of cold, cough, fever, dysentery, gastric, headache and debility. However, the species is not Methodology commonly available in nearby forest areas, but the Basic information on Biosphere Reserve has been people are collecting it from nearby forest of Beaching collected from the Department of Environment and village located at about 15 km away. RETHY et al .: ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES OF MEMBA TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 63 Table 1 Plants used by tribes of Dehang Debang Biosphere Reserve Plant name /Family Local name Uses Abroma augusta (L) Bon-kopahi (As), Leaves are used in wound healing. Sterculiaceae Yadukh (A) Aconitum heterophyllum Wall . Mra (A), Root used as arrow poisoning and in snakebite; rhizome is applied on Rannanculaceae Tsan duk (M) wounded portion. Acorus calamus L. Araceae Buch (A) Rhizome is used in child birth as nerve tonic. Adhatoda vasica Nees. Vasaka (As) Tender leaves are used as vegetable. (Acanthaceae) Ageratum conyzoides L. Ingkir/ Nangkir / Whole plant is used for blood clotting and wound healing. Asteraceae Bongir (A), Botpa ngon (M) Allium sativum L. Jilap (A) Tender leaves are used as vegetable; tubers as spice. Liliaceae Colocacia esculenta Schoot. Ngerag (A), Petiole, tender leaves and underground parts are taken as vegetables. Araceae Bojong (M) Amaranthus hybridus L. Gubor oying (A) Tender leaves are used as vegetable.