Research in Biology, 4(1): 12-19, 2014 ISSN : 2231-5101 www.resplantbiol.com

Regular Article Indigenous knowledge and utilisation of Khajuri plant ( Sylvestris Roxb., ) in Bhadrak district, Odisha,

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 (2011–2013) to explore the indigenous knowledge and traditional utilization pattern of wild ( 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 , found abundantly in road side, wasteland, around homesteads, crop fields, pond and canal bank. The 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 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 (Palmae, or and income from gathered plant products. more recently Arecaceae), with some 2200 The field of study of used in species, is distributed all over the and household products by craftsmen is one of (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 (), flabellifer L. (palmyra/fan indigenous knowledge (IK) of their own in palm), catechu L. ( 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 in the world, having originated eastern India is famous for her handicrafts most likely in (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, 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, , hilly traditional craftsmen of the district prepare topography, plain lands and muddy artistic and delicate decorative materials for 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 , and overall decline in their traditional handicrafts yellow . 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 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, and fencing materials, indigenous wisdom of rural poor people baskets, crates, fuel , 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

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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 2011-13. Prior to undertaking field the dissemination of their traditional

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knowledge. A preliminary socio- economic Saxena and Brahmam, 1994) and 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 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

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their livelihood on daily wage basis. The landscape specimen found growing over the average earning member of family was entire study area. It was observed that minimum, in our study area landless (80%) natural regeneration of Khajuri trees occurs and marginal (20%) farmer possess date palm in five different habitats namely crop fields, as their primary occupation. Phoenix sylvestris roadsides, canal and pond banks and Roxb., locally called 'Khajuri', is an attractive homesteads (Figure 2A, C-F).

Fig.2. J. Sun drying, K-M. Artisan at work, N-Q. Finished products(brooms and mats used for domestic purpose), R. Man in marketing, S. A mat used in cowshed, T. Leaves used in fencing

In crop fields, the wild date palm is found on was no ‘Khajuri’ orchard in the study area; the ails (slightly raised embankments used as most of the trees developed naturally. a border between crop fields, figure 2B).There Farmers had the rights to the trees growing

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along roadsides and canal banks, though they contribution to science and conservation did not have tenure on the lands since the (Radhakrishnan et al., 2000; Gemedo-Dalle et lands were government properties. Access to al., 2005; Leduc et al., 2006; Martinez et al., trees growing on government land is 2006; Kunwar and Bussmann, 2008; regulated by customary law of the country. Albuquerque et al., 2009; Dahlberg and When a tree grows on government land, such Trygger, 2009), and the need to preserve as a roadside or canal bank, the owner of the biological diversity and the associated parcel of land adjacent to the government indigenous knowledge has been emphasized land holds tenure of the tree. The same since the Rio Convention on Biological tenure rule is applicable for the use of other Diversity (Convention on Biological tree species growing on government lands in Diversity, 1992). Craftwork products are rural areas. The leaves are harvested from the designed for various purposes, and these tree manually by the craftsmen after attaining items have notable and or religious a minimum age of 6-8 years old, sun dried for significance. The plants employed in making a week, bundled and stored for future use these handicrafts are usually local and have (Figure 2G-J). served as major resources contributing to It requires no complicated tools to people’s livelihood. make the craft. Only sharp edged knives and Traditional handicrafts based on plant needles are used. The is cut into different material are components of folk culture shapes as per requirement, coloured and throughout the world. Indian handicrafts are weaved to give the final structure (Figure 2K- known the world over for their rich variety M). Various craft materials made from the and skilled work. Handicraft objects are Khajuri plant by the artisans of Bhadrak are generally artistic and/or traditional used depicted in Figure 2.N-Q. In the study area it both for utilitarian and decorative purposes. was observed that in the selecting of planting The traditions of handicraft in rural people of materials, maintenance and in the processing India continue over centuries safeguarding of the products male and female members the wide and varied artistic wealth of India. including children participate simultane- Some rural people are good craftsmen and ously, on the other hand marketing were only are adept in making handicrafts using locally done by the male (Figure 2R). In several areas available plant resources. Crafts associated of the study area the mats after use by human with Khajuri (Phoenix sylvestris) have is used for cowshed (Figure 2S). The whole generally been carried out by rural people of leaf or the leaf rachis of Phoenix sylvestris are Bhadrak district since ancient times. The one of the preferred fencing materials in the natural distribution of Khajuri palms in the areas where the palm abounds. In many rural landscape suggests that the tree has villages of the Bhadrak, it is still common to wide ecological amplitude for growing on a see houses fenced with this palm (Figure 2T). variety of sites and that it has a capacity to For fencing, usually most of the mature grow in biotically disturbed sites such as leaves are harvested, leaving only those that roadsides or canal banks that are normally are still too tender. used grazing. In Bhadrak district, P. sylvestris farmers Discussion do not have any improved technology and Traditional knowledge systems associated employ their own indigenous knowledge in with various plant use developed through every aspect of its processing. However, the trial and error method as well as by the net return from P. sylvestris products sale is creative mind of the indigenous people have not satisfactory and contributes a minimal become recognized worldwide for their share to annual household income. The rural

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women in the study area are usually illiterate there is an urgent need of popularization as and palm husbandry can be utilized as a well as patronization of these craft materials potential sector for their employment. The by the Govt. or some NGOs to uplift the prices of the different products produced economic condition of the artisans. It will be from palm vary seasonally and on the basis helpful in conservation of this unique craft of locality of the enterprises. The price of the for the benefit of the posterity as well as product varies with size, quality and local national identity. demand. The handicraft material made from P. sylvestris is much superior to the synthetic References industrial product widely used in modern Albuquerque UP, Araujo TA, Ramos MA, day craft making. It is also eco-friendly as Nascimento VT, Lucena RFP, Monteiro biodegradable and freely available from the MJ. 2009. How ethnobotany can aid surrounding natural habitat. It provide conservation: Reflections on livelihood to a sizeable number of artisans in investigations in the semi-arid region of rural Bhadrak. The ethnobotanical NE Brazil. Biodiversity Conservation information presented here draws support 18:127–150. from earlier studies in different parts of India Arnold JEM.1995. Socio-economic benefits (Kulkarni and Mulani, 2004; Reddy et al., and issues in non-wood forest products 2008). The studied plant for handicraft use is use. In: Report of the international expert also reported from Odisha (Mohanty et al., consultation on Non-wood forest 2011). P. sylvestris possessed economic products. Non-Wood Forest Products 3, potential and could thus supplement family FAO, Rome, , pp. 89-123. income and generate incentives for Balslev H, Barfod A.1987. Ecuadorean palms biodiversity conservation (Hamilton, 2004). - an overview. Opera Botanica 92: 17-35. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Conclusion (1992). Convention on biological Nowadays, the use of handicraft materials is diversity. United Nations. http://www. disappearing and has lost their necessity in biodiv.org/convention/convention.shtml our daily lives. The advancement of plastic Dahlberg AC, Trygger SB. 2009. Indigenous technology and polymer science has however medicine and primary health care: The hit this craft badly. The principal reasons are importance of lay knowledge and use of realities of the modern life: loss natural medicinal plants in rural . habitats due to population explosion and Human Ecology 37:79–94. consequent human activities like construction Dalibard C. 2007. The potential of tapping of roads, housing, fishery, farming etc., palm trees for animal production. industrialization of traditional farming, the [online] URL: http://www.fao.org/ modern tools for various household AG/AGAINFO/resources/documents/fr purposes, partial adoption of modern g/conf96htm/dal ibard.htm material, the reduced number of craftsman Barh D, Mazumdar BC. 2008. Comparative etc. The skills transmission through nutritive values of palm saps before and generations is in danger and much more after their partial fermentation and threatened with extinction. As a result, new effective use of wild date (Phoenix generations of the artisan’s family are looking sylvestris Roxb.) sap in treatment of for some other source of income leaving this anemia. Research Journal of Medicine and age old practice. Hence, protection of some Medical Sciences 3(2): 173-176. selective habitat is warranted where this Gemedo-Dalle TB, Maass L, Isselstein J. 2005. species can grow undisturbed. Moreover, Plant biodiversity and ethnobotany of

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