Indigenous Knowledge and Utilisation of Khajuri Plant (Phoenix Sylvestris Roxb., Arecaceae) in Bhadrak District, Odisha, India
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Research in Plant Biology, 4(1): 12-19, 2014 ISSN : 2231-5101 www.resplantbiol.com Regular Article Indigenous knowledge and utilisation of Khajuri plant (Phoenix Sylvestris Roxb., Arecaceae) in Bhadrak district, Odisha, India Taranisen Panda1*, Nirlipta Mishra2 and Raj Ballav Mohanty3 Department of Botany, Chandbali College, Chandbali, 756133, Odisha, India Department of Zoology, Chandbali College, Chandbali, 756133, Odisha, India Department of Botany, N.C. (Autonomous) College, Jajpur-755001, Odisha, India *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] The study was conducted within the course of two years (2011–2013) to explore the indigenous knowledge and traditional utilization pattern of wild date palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) in Bhadrak district of Odisha, India. The objective of the study was to document indigenous knowledge and traditional handicrafts in order to suggest appropriate conservation and management strategies. The information was gathered largely from literature as well as field collected data and interviewed informants. A brief questionnaire, referring to the vernacular name, plant description, details on their use has been prepared and applied. Khajuri plant (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. Arecaceae) is a long-lived monocotyledonous medium-sized slow growing plant species, found abundantly in road side, wasteland, around homesteads, crop fields, pond and canal bank. The leaves of the plant are used in many religious and socio-cultural functions in the district. This plant has been instrumental for landless traditional craftsmen in providing a substantial livelihood through their own indigenous wisdom in every stage of the palm’s maintenance from collection to the processing of products. Collected data show how ecological, geographical features and different cultures are related with the traditionally used handicrafts. Protection and conservation of this plant and some selective habitat is warranted where this species can grow undisturbed. Keywords: Odisha; Phoenix sylvestris; traditional handicrafts; traditional knowledge Nature was the earliest source for the most interesting ones and plays vital role human subsistence and has provided a in socio-economy of rural people. Various continuous source of raw materials to fulfill handicraft materials (the items made by various needs for human livelihood. Millions hand) from Palms are one such typical use of of people, mostly in developing countries, the plant by the rural people of India to earn derive a significant part of their subsistence their livelihood. The palm family (Palmae, or and income from gathered plant products. more recently Arecaceae), with some 2200 The field of study of plants used in species, is distributed all over the tropics and household products by craftsmen is one of subtropics (Johnson, 1996). This family Taranisen Panda et al. / Research in Plant Biology, 4(1): 12-19, 2014 contains a number of economically important economy of developing countries (Arnold, species, among which some of the most 1995; Gunatilake et al., 1993). important ones include Cocos nucifera L. The farmers are applying solely (coconut), Borassus flabellifer L. (palmyra/fan indigenous knowledge (IK) of their own in palm), Areca catechu L. (betel nut) and Phoenix the farming and management of this sylvestris Roxb. (wild date palm/date sugar resource, exerting a sustainable manner of palm). Wild date palm, is one of the oldest utilization. Odisha, one of the states of fruit trees in the world, having originated eastern India is famous for her handicrafts most likely in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) which exhibit the skill and creativity of her 5,000 to 10,000 years ago (Zohary and Hopf, artisans. Handicrafts are the visible symbol of 2000) and the vast majority of the trees are cultural behaviour. The person who imagines located in northern Africa, the Middle East, and creates these hand made goods of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India different origins forms is called as craftsman (Hodel and Pittenger, 2003). Situated in the who is otherwise known as Silpi, Kalakar, tropical region, India also houses a number of Bindhani, Moharana, Karigar etc. The craft palms (represented by 20 genera and about culture of India shows the firm base in the 96 species; Uhl and Dransfield, 1987) country's age old artistic traditions. This is distributed in diverse geographic, soil and especially true in Bhadrak District. The climatic areas, such as, deserts, hilly traditional craftsmen of the district prepare topography, plain lands and muddy artistic and delicate decorative materials for mangrove forests. household purposes. These artistic objects are Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. is a long-lived an integral part of the rituals and various monocotyledonous medium-sized slow other social functions in rural Odisha from growing plant species, 7-20 m tall, with time immemorial. But there has been an greyish-green leaves, textured trunk, and overall decline in their traditional handicrafts yellow inflorescences. Leaves are very application due to alternative materials developed, erect, arranged in a spiral pattern becoming available which proved better or on the trunk and can reach several square more convenient for the intended purpose. meters in area. Sheathing becomes denser at Recently, the importance of farmer’s the top of the tree forming a crown with traditional knowledge in managing natural hundreds of leaves forming a terminal resources has gained increasing recognition rosette. The leaves are pinnate with needle- from the scientific community sharp tips to defend the plant from grazing (Teklehaimanot et al., 2001). In spite of the animals and reduce water loss. The use of role of wild plants a means for livelihoods of Phoenix sylvestris for medicinal purposes and the rural people in Bhadrak district, attention oral dental care has been reported (Barh and has not been given to the inventory and Mazumdar, 2008; Mohanty et al., 2012). This conservation of such species. Considering the plant also provide a multitude of useful importance of indigenous knowledge, the products such as handicrafts and mats, present study was undertaken to explore the screens, thatching and fencing materials, indigenous wisdom of rural poor people baskets, crates, fuel wood, and house brooms highlighting the traditional utilization and is the main subsistence resource for the patterns of P. sylvestris in Bhadrak district of poorest people (Balslev & Barfod, 1987; Zaid, Odisha, India. The socio-religious as well as 1999; Dalibard, 2007; Rana and Islam, socio-cultural significance and socio- 2010).Recently, employment and income economic contribution to rural economy of from small-scale non-farm enterprise this ancient craft and the craftsmen in the activities is gaining importance in the rural changing scenario is analysed. The aim of this 13 Taranisen Panda et al. / Research in Plant Biology, 4(1): 12-19, 2014 study is to determine and introduce the state’s population. Most of its people live in plants traditionally used as handicraft – villages (89.42%) and agriculture is their main which are slowly dying out-in different occupation. The climate of the district is cultures as well as in several countries. warm and humid. Three distinct annual seasons are the rainy season (mid June to mid Materials and Methods October), winter (mid October to February) Bhadrak district (20°43′−21°13′ N and and summer (March to mid June). Air 86°6′−87° E) is located in northeast Odisha temperatures range from 38°C in summer to and covers an area of 2505 km2, with a 13°C in winter, and the annual average population of 1.334 million (2001 Census). It rainfall is approximately 1,550 mm. The is bordered by Balasore district in the north, district is located in the deltaic region near Jajpur in the south, Bay of Bengal and the Bay of Bengal and has all the features of a Kendrapara district in the east and Koenjher costal climate, i.e. maritime weather in the west. The district accounts for 1.61% of influence, coastal winds and cyclones (Figure the state’s territory and shares 3.62% of the 1). Fig.1. Map of the study site The present work is the outcome of research, the objectives of the study were the ethnobotanical survey conducted in discussed with the local village heads. Bhadrak district of Odisha, India during the Consent was granted by the local people for year 2011-13. Prior to undertaking field the dissemination of their traditional 14 Taranisen Panda et al. / Research in Plant Biology, 4(1): 12-19, 2014 knowledge. A preliminary socio- economic Saxena and Brahmam, 1994) and herbarium survey was carried out to ascertain important preparation. Voucher specimen was socio-economic parameters of the study areas deposited in the herbarium of Department of to select the respondents for detailed study Botany, Chandbali College, Chandbali. Visit and interviewed using a semi-structured to the traditional craftsmen and their questionnaire (e.g., cross-checking the land workshops were made to collect first-hand holdings, occupations, date palm possession, information regarding, the mode of contributions of date palm in economy, land collection, processing and preservation; - for homesteads and other operations like types and method of preparation of craft agriculture or fallow).Different habitats with materials, their trade etc. The data were abundant growth of ‘Khajuri’ plant of the recorded by consultation with different district were visited and plant samples experienced craftsmen engaged in the same collected for taxonomic study (Haines, 1925; profession. Fig.2.A. Naturally regenerated Khajuri plant in crop field, B. Khajuri plant near the ails, C. Rural scene showing natural regeneration along the road, D. Khajuri plant near the canal, E. Khajuri plant near the pond, F. Khajuri plant near the homestead, G. A farmer in tapping leaves of Khajuri, H. Leaves at ground, I. Collected leaves. Results percent of families have no agricultural land The percentage of literacy rate in the study and the remaining with marginal land. The area is very low i.e. less than 10%. Eighty people (both men and women) are earning 15 Taranisen Panda et al.