Potential of Ethnobotanical Studies in North East India: an Overview

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 4(1), January 2005, pp. 7-14

Potential of ethnobotanical studies in North East India: An overview

B K Dutta and P K Dutta Microbial & Agricultural Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Assam University, Silchar 788 011, Assam Received 27 September 2004; 22 November 2004

North East India has a valuable heritage of herbal remedies. Its rural people and tribals living in remote/forest areas still depend to a great extent on the indigenous systems of medicine/cultivation. So far studies in this regard have been reported from a very limited number of the tribes of North East region, viz. Ler, Mikir, Karbis, Miris, Khasi and Jaintai, Garo, Monpas, Nishi, Apatani, Reangs, etc. A wide range of plants with ethnobotanical value against some very important diseases have been reported but much larger numbers of folk medicines have remained endemic to certain tribal pockets in North East India. Therefore, further detailed studies on the ethnobotanical aspects in the region may provide meaningful ways for the promotion of traditional herbal medicinal plants/land races of crop plants for the benefit of mankind at large. In the present paper, the work that has been reported and the potentials of the ethnobotanical studies with particular reference to biodiversity conservation of the important medicinal/crop plants in the North Eastern region have been highlighted and discussed. Keywords: Ethnobotany, North East India, Medicinal Plants, Biodiversity, Conservation, Tribes IPC Int. Cl.7: A61K35/78, A01K1/00 India is known for its valuable heritage of herbal compounds. Their identification and conservation also medicinal knowledge. Its ethnic people and tribals deserve careful attention. Although some workers1-7 living in the remote forest areas still depend to a great have reported the use of medicinal plants. A detailed extent on the indigenous systems of medicine. The and systematic ethnobotanical study in the North East North East of India constitutes the states of Arunachal region is required as this may provide a meaningful Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, way for the promotion of the traditional knowledge of Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim (Fig.1). Though the the herbal medicinal plants/land races of crop plants. North East reflects ecological and cultural contrasts The tribal segment of India's population presents an between the hills and the plains, there are also interesting profile of the country's ethnic diversity. A significant elements of continuity. Available medieval significant proportion of the India's population and modern records indicate interdependence and consists of tribes. There are altogether 427 tribal interaction between the hills and plains. The North communities all over India. Tribes of North East India East is one of the most biodiverse regions in the region are settled within the sub-Himalayan ranges, world. With more than a hundred and fifty tribes Indo-Burma, hills of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram speaking as many languages, this region is a melting and Meghalaya plateau and the plains, foothills, N C pot of variegated cultural mosaic of people and races, hills and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam. From the an ethnic tapestry of many hues and shades. The folk anthropological point of view, the tribal people of culture is still vital in this region. Though some of the North East Region of India may conveniently be tribal medicines have been already incorporated in the divided into two broad racial categories, i.e. the Khasi organized systems of medicine, much larger number and Jaintia tribe of Meghalaya who belong to of folk medicines have remained endemic to certain ‘Monkhemar’ culture of Austoic dialect and other tribal pockets in North East India. Some knowledge tribal ethnic group of the region are basically on wonderful and effective medicines by the tribals Mongoloid in their ethnic origin belonging to Tibeto - acquired through the experience, are usually passed Burman subfamily of Tibeto-Chinese linguistic group. on by oral traditions as a guarded secret of certain In North East it has been estimated that of the families. Thus, the potentialities of ethnomedicinal approximately 32.4 million people inhabiting the studies in North East should be given the importance region, about 8 million of them constitute the tribals as it can provide us a very effective strategy for the of the hill and plains. It is amazing to note that about discovery of more and potential useful chemical 130 major tribal groups are settled in North East 8 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No. 1, JANUARY 2005

Table 1—Major tribes of the North-eastern region of India

States Tribes

Arunachal Pradesh Adi (Ashing, Bogun, Bokar, Bori, Botng, Galling, Komar, Karka, Lodung, Milang, Minyong, Padam, Pailibo, Pangi, Ramo, Shimong, Tangam), Aka, Aptani, Bangani, Khamba, Khowa, Memba, Miji, Hill Miri, Mishing Miri, Sherdukpen, Sulong, Singpho, Tagin, Tangsa, Wancho, Yobin (Lisu), Zakhring (Meyor). Assam (in the authonomous districts) Chakma, Dimasa, Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Khasi, Jaintia, Synteng, Pnar, War, Bhoi, Lyngngam, Kuki tribes (Baiate, Changsan, Chongloi, Doungel, Gamalhou, Gangte, Guite, Hanneug, Hao Kip, Hanpit, Lhonyem, Lhocwun, Lupheng, Mangje, Misao,) Riang, Sairhem, Selnam, Singson, Haolai, Hengna, Hongsungh, Hrangkhwal, Raokhol, Tongbe, Khawathlang, Khothalong, Khawchung, Khelma, Kholhou, Kipgen, Kuki, Lengthang, Lhangum, Lhoujem, Lhouvum, Misao, Riaong, Sairhem, Selnam, Singsom, Sithou, Sukto, Thado, Thangngeu, Uibush Vaiphel), Lakher, Man (Tai speaking), Any Mizo (Lushal) tribes, mikir, Any Naga Tribes, Pawi, Syntheng. (in the stats of Assam excluding the Barmans in Cachar, Boro, Borokachari, Deori, Hajong, Kachari, Sonwal, Lalung, Mech, autonomous districts) Miri, Rabha Manipur Aimol, Anal, Angami, Chiru, Chethe, Gangte, Hmar, Kabui, Kacha Naga, Koirao, Koireng, Kom, Lamgang, Mao, Maram, Maring, Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes, Monsang, Moyon, Paite, Purum, Ralte, Sema, Simte, Suhte, Tangkhul, Thadou, Vaiphui, Zou. Mizoram Chakma, Dimasa Kachari, Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Khasi, Jaintia, War, Any Kuki (Baiate, Changsan, Chongloi, Doungel, Gamathou, Gangte, Guite, Hanneu, Hao Kip Hanpit, Lhonyem, Lhocwun, Lupheng, Mangje, Misao Riang, Sairhem, Selnam, Singson, Haolai, Hengna, Hongsungh, Hrangkhwal, Raokhol, Tongbe, Khawathlang, Khothalong, Khawchung, Khelma, Kholhou, Kipgen, Kuki, Lengthang, Lhangum, Lhoujem, Lhouvum, Misao, Riang, Sairhem, Selnam, Singsom, Sitlhou, Sukto, Thado, Thangngeu, Uibush, Vaiphei), Lekher, Man (Tai speaking), Any Mizo (Lushai tribe), Karbi, Any Naga tribe, Pawi. Meghalaya Bhoi, Boro, Chakma, Dimasa, Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Ja;intia, Karbi (Mikir), Khasi, Koch, Kuki, Lakher, Lyngngam, Man (Tai speaking), Mizo (Lushai), Naga, Pawi, Pnar, Rabha, Synteng, War. Nagaland Adi, Aka, Dimasa, Galong, Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, khowa, Kuki, karbi (Mikir), Mizo. Any Naga tribe (Ao, Angami, Chakhesang, Chang, Chiru, Khiemnungan, Konyak, Lotha, Makwari, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam, Sema, Tikhir, Yimchungree, Zeliang), Syntheng, Momba. Tripura Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Garo, Halam, Jamatia, Khasia, Kuki (including Balte, Belalhut, Chhalya, Fun, Hajango, Jangtei, Khareng, Khephong, Kuntei, Laifaung, Lentei, Mizel, Namte, Paitu, Paite, Rangchan, Rangkhole, Thangluya) Lepcha, Lushai Mag, Munda, Kaur, Noatia, Orang, Riang, Santhal, Tripura, Tripuri, Tippera, Uchai.

DUTTA & DUTTA: ETHNOBOTANY OF NORTH EAST INDIA 9

Table 2—Ethnobotanical studies reported from North East India

Tribes/ethnic groups/indigenous people/area Authors

01. Assamese, Manipuri, Naga Islam M (1996)

02. Tai Aiton, Tai Khamyang, Tai Trung, Pandey Ashok, Bora H R and Deka S C (1996) Sonowal Kachari and Tengal Kachair

03. Mishing Singh J Bhuyan T C and Ahmed A (1996)

04. Shan Bora H R and Pandey A K (1996)

05. Arunachal Pradesh Tiwari C and Tiwari V P (1996)

06. Meitei Huidrom Singh B K (1996)

07. Meitei Kumar Singh P and Kumar Singh H B (1996)

08. Tribes of Tripura Huidrom Singh B K (1996)

09. Tribes of Mizoram Lalramnghinglova J H (1996)

10. NE Tribes Arora R K (1997)

11. Mompas Dam D P and Hajra P K (1997)

12. Miris Hajra P K and Baishya A K (1997)

13. Karibs (Mikirs) Borthakur S K (1997)

14. Garo Vasudeva M K and Shampru R (1997)

15. Khasi and Jaintia Joseph J & Kharkongor P (1997)

16. Khasi and Jaintia Kharkongor P & Joseph J A (1997)

17. Naga Rao R R (1997)

18. Karbis (Mikirs) Borthakur S K (1997)

19. Nishi and Apatani Rawat M S and Choudhury S (1998)

20. Meghalaya Syiem D et al (1999)

21. Mizoram Lalramnghinglova H (1999)

22. Meghalaya Kharduit J (1999)

23. Yobins Yobin Y S H (1999)

24. Naga Jamir N S (1999)

25. Meitei, H`mar, Rengmai, Halam, Dutta P K and Dutta B K (2000) Dimasa, Kuki, Devbarma

26. Tea tribes/castes Das S Dutta P K and Dutta B K (2000)

27. Hmar, Jaintia, Khasi, Kuki, Nath B and Dutta B K (2000) Riang, Rengmai

10 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No. 1, JANUARY 2005

Table 3—Ethnobotanical studies in relation to some tribes/ethnic groups/indigenous people of North East India

Authors Tribes/ethnic No. of plants groups/indigenous people/area reported

A. Medicinal Plants

Islam M (1996) Assammese 35

Naga 2

Manipuri 4

Pandey Ashok K et al (1996) Tai Aiton, Tai Khamyang, 22 Tai Turung, Sonowal Kachari

Singh J et al (1996) Mishing 44

Tiwari K C et al (1996) Arunachal Pradesh 56

Huidrom and Singh B K (1996) Meitei 20

Lalramnghinglova J H (1996) Mizoram 238

Dam D P and Hajra P K (1997) Monpas 15

Hajra P K and Baishya (1997) Mishing 32

Borthakur S K (1997) Mikirs 24

Kharkongor P and Joseph (1997) Khasi, Jainta 100

Rao R R (1997) Naga 26

Rawat M S and Choudhury S (1998) Nishi, Apatani 154

Syiem D et al (1999) Meghalaya 56

Lalramnghinglova J H (1999) Mizoram 64

Kharduit J (1999) Meghalaya 55

Yobin Y S H (1999) Yobins 20

Jamir N S (1999) Naga 14

Dutta P K and Dutta B K (2000) Meitei 25 Hmar 16 Rengmai 20 Halam 3 Demasa 5 Kuki 25 Dev Barma 8

Das S, Dutta P K and Dutta B K (2000) Tea tribes 73

Contd— DUTTA & DUTTA: ETHNOBOTANY OF NORTH EAST INDIA 11

Table 3—Ethnobotanical studies in relation to some tribes/ethnic groups/indigenous people of North East India—Contd

Authors Tribes/ethnic No. of plants groups/indigenous people/area reported

B. Plants used for edible purposes

Bora H R and Pandey A K (1996) Shan 8

Singh J et al (1996) Mishing 18

Arora R K (1997) North East India 213

Dam D P and Hajra P K (1997) Monpas 37

Hajra P K and Baishya (1997) Mishing 51

Borthakur S K (1997) Mikirs 25

Joseph J and Kharkongar A (1997) Khasi, Jaintia 30

Rao R R (1997) Naga 56

Rawat M S and Choudhury S (1998) Nishi Apatani 39 30 Jamir N S (1997) Naga 35 Nath B and Dutta B K (2000) Hmar, Jaintia, Khasi, Kuki, Riang, Rengmai 63

Das D; Dutta P K and Dutta B K (2000) Tea tribes 35

C. Plants used for miscellanenous purposes

Dam D P and Hajra P K (1997) Monpas 22

Hajra P K and Baishya A K (1997) Mishings 29

Rao R R (1997) Naga 35

Borthakur S K (1997) Mikirs 25

Jamir N S (1999) Naga 68

Das S; Dutta P K and Dutta B K (2000) Tea tribes 8

Nath B and Dutta B K (2000) Hmar, Jaintia, Khasi, Kuki, 19 Riang, Rengmai

India. If the fractions of the groups are taken into location of the hills, kept those areas and the tribes out consideration, the figure will reach to about 300 of ethnobotanical studies and in extreme isolation. (Table 1). The work done so far suggests that their association The importance of ethnobotanical work in North and dependence on forest forced them to depend on East India has already been emphasised but keeping the nature, which has been reflected in their the large number of tribes that exists in the region, traditional culture, local beliefs, folklores and the very few tribes have been touched upon in relation to interesting/valuable knowledge of ethnobotanical ethnobotanical studies in general (Table 1, 2). A importance. review of the literature indicates that there are many So far the different authors from the North East tribal areas/tribes, remained ethnobotanically region have reported 1350 ethnomedicinal uses, 665 unexplored. The peculiar geographical position and uses as food plants and 899 miscellaneous uses 12 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No. 1, JANUARY 2005

DUTTA & DUTTA: ETHNOBOTANY OF NORTH EAST INDIA 13

(Tables 2, 3). It is known that the tribal people are not 5 Kharkonger P and Joseph J A, Folklore medico-botany of only familiar with the knowledge of plant species in rural Khasi and Jaintia tribes in Meghalaya: Contribution to Indian Ethnobotany (ed. Jain, S.K.), Scientific Publ., their ecosystems, but also understand the ecological Jodhpur, 1997, 195-208. interactions of the various components of their 6 Rawat M S and Choudhury S, Ethnomedicobotany of resources. This indigenous knowledge of plants is Arunachal Pradeesh (Nishi and Apatani Tribes): Bishen essential for the identification, cataloguing and Singh Mahandra Pal Singh, New Delhi, 1998. documentation of plants8. 7 Dutta Choudhury M and Choudhury S, Ethno-medico- botanical aspects of Reang Tribe of Assam part II: New ethnomedicinal claims, UGC sponsored state level seminar Conclusion on biodiversity of Assam and conservation, 2000, Abstract The present observations revealed that the North Vol.: 9. 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