Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plant Diversity of Uttarakhand: A Geographical Indication Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i2%20(Part%20A).952Keywords:
Ethnobotany, Geographical Indication, Uttarakhand, Rhododendron arboreum, traditional ecological knowledge, medicinal plants, GI tag, Use Value, Fidelity LevelAbstract
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is home to an amazing diversity of medicinal plants, with strong linkages to the residential ethnobotanical practices of the indigenous people of Uttarakhand, namely, the Garhwali and Kumaoni communities. In this paper, the ethnobotanical value of GI eligible medicinal plants of Uttarakhand is discussed in the context of Rhododendron arboreum (Buransh) as a case study and the potential of Geographical Indication (GI) tagging for protection of TEK, conservation of biodiversity and rural livelihoods. The study employs quantitative ethnobotanical indices, namely Use Value (UV) and Fidelity Level (FL) for the purpose of placing Buransh in a wider context of medicinally important flora of the region. In the course of a systematic ethnobotanical survey in 6 districts (Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Almora, Pithoragarh), 84 KIIs were conducted that resulted in the identification of 38 medicinally important species and 12 potential GI candidates. From the cardiovascular use, the highest Use Value (UV = 0.87) was obtained for Rhododendron arboreum, while the highest Fidelity Level (FL = 78%) was obtained for R. leschenaultiae. A detailed registration process, including botanical classification, community surveys, chemical characterisation and georeferenced habitat mapping, was identified through analysis of the documents for the application (GI Application No. 866). The paper identifies and emphasizes some of the key research and policy needs to scale up the protection of other Himalayan medicinal species under GI and puts forward an integrated model of ethnobotany and GI with the inclusion of molecular authentication and community benefit sharing for sustainable development of the Himalayan region.
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