This paper analyses the ethnic plants of the Tharu people in the Ramdhuni-2 Sunsari district in Nepal, their various uses and the socio-cultural aspect of Tharus and explores those plant uses. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and the Interview-Method were used for the collection of ethnobotincal data from the studied area. In the present study, 37 plants species were collected from the study area under 25 families.
Out of 37 plants 32 were found to be dicot and 5 were found to be monocot. 37 species were distributed in 25 families. The indigenous Tharus were using these plant species for various purposes, such as medicine, food, fodder, ornaments, materials etc. Among those plants 25 plants are used as medicine, 21 plants are used as fodder, followed by 10 plants as food and edible fruits and so on. Among the 37 species, trees and herbs were dominant upon grasses, shrubs, climbers and creepers, followed by shrubs. 24 species were used for their leaves. 29 species were found to be useful having more than one value.
Ethnobotany refers to the study of an ethnic plant of particular people living in a particular place. Ethnobotany accommodates lists, details and description of all those plants regarding their various uses. This study has been done in the Ramdhuni-2, Sunsari district in the Tharu community.
Contents
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Statement of problem and Status of ethnobotanical study of Tharu People in Nepal
1.3 Rationale of the study
1.4 Description of area
1.4.1 Location and Physiology
1.4.2 Climate
1.4.3 Resources
1.4.4 Irrigation
1.4.5 Soil
1.4.6 The People
1.4.7 Vegetation
1.5 Socio- Cultural Life of Tharus
1.5.1 Background
1.5.2 Language and Household Structure
1.5.3 Occupation and food
1.5.4 Religious beliefs & Practices
1.6 Objectives
1.7 Limitations
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Background and History of ethnobotany in Nepal
CHAPTER III: MATERIALS AND METHOD
3.1 Ethnobotanical data collection
3.1.1 PRA Method
3.1.2 Interview Method
3.2 Plant collection
3.3 Pressing and drying specimen
3.4 Herbarium Preparation
3.5 Identification of Specimen
3.6 Secondary data collection
3.7 Presentation of data
CHAPTER IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Statistical analysis of flora
4.2 Description
4.2.1 Dicotyledons
4.2.2 Monocotyledons
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Objectives and Research Themes
This study aims to document the indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge of the Tharu community in Ramdhuni-2, Sunsari, Nepal. The research seeks to explore the diverse utility of local plant species—ranging from medicinal and nutritional uses to their significance in religious and cultural rituals—and to raise awareness about the potential commercial and practical benefits of these resources for the local population.
- Ethnobotanical documentation of Tharu plant resources.
- Classification and analysis of plant species and their life forms.
- Investigation into socio-cultural ties between the Tharu community and local flora.
- Evaluation of traditional medicinal and dietary practices.
- Assessment of current botanical conservation status and local needs.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background
Nepal is located between latitude of 26°22N and 30°27N, and a longitude of 80°04E and 88°12E. Nepal is approximately 880 km long and has an average width of 190 km. It encompasses an area of 147,181 sq. km (147,516 sq. km, New 2020) and ranges in altitude from as low as 60m in the plains of the Terai to 8848m at the crest of Mount Everest. It has extreme topographical differences and comprises almost all climatic zones of the world. With the increasing altitude, the vegetation changes from the tropical sal forests in Terai and inner Terai to sub-tropical deciduous mixed forests in lower middle hills where in the upper middle hills (above 2000m) temperature and conifer forests occur. The moist sub-alpine and alpine forests are found between 2700m and 4400m. However, above 4900m to the snow line there is a discontinuous cover dwarf perennial herbs.
Nepal’s rich botanical heritage has been renowned and botanical explorations became more extensive and intensive after Nepal opened her frontiers to foreign explorers and mountaineers during the early 1950s. Plant specimens collected from Nepal are deposited in a number of international herbarium of UK, Japan, USA, France, India etc. Hara et al. (1978, 1982) enumerated ca. 5150 species of flowering plants from Nepal, belonging to 1475 genera and 207 families, and the list is elaborated to 5833 species by (Koba et al. 1994). According to Shrestha et al. (2000) and Magar (2008), Nepal include about 10,167 plant species, of which over 7000 are flowering plant and over 1600 species are medicinal and aromatic herbs.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of Nepal's botanical richness and the specific ethnobotanical context of the Tharu community in Ramdhuni-2, defining the research objectives.
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines the history of ethnobotanical research in Nepal and previous academic contributions regarding the use of plants by various ethnic groups.
CHAPTER III: MATERIALS AND METHOD: Details the field study methodology, including Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and plant collection techniques used over a three-month period.
CHAPTER IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents the statistical analysis of the collected flora, including categorization by family, habit, and use-value (medicine, food, fodder, etc.).
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Summarizes the findings on the positive interaction between Tharus and their environment and suggests strategies for traditional knowledge preservation.
Keywords
Ethnobotany, Tharu Community, Nepal, Medicinal Plants, Indigenous Knowledge, Biodiversity, Ramdhuni, Flora, Traditional Medicine, Cultural Rituals, Plant Resources, Sustainable Use, Dicotyledons, Monocotyledons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This work primarily focuses on documenting the indigenous knowledge of the Tharu tribe in Ramdhuni-2, Sunsari, regarding their local plant resources and how these are integrated into their daily lives.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the medicinal properties of plants, their use as food and fodder, their role in socio-cultural and religious rituals, and their importance as construction materials.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The goal is to enlighten the community and the public about the importance of ethnic plants, ensuring that the traditional knowledge is preserved and that the community can potentially benefit commercially from these resources.
Which scientific methodology was employed?
The research utilized Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), household surveys, and interview methods with local knowledgeable individuals, such as Dhamis and Jhankris, alongside standard herbarium techniques for specimen collection and identification.
What does the main body discuss?
The main body discusses the geography and climate of the study area, the demographic makeup of the Tharu people, detailed floristic descriptions of gathered plant species, and analysis of their various utility categories.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Ethnobotany, Indigenous Knowledge, Tharu Tribe, Medicinal Plants, Biodiversity, and Traditional Practices.
How is the Tharu community's relationship with the forest described?
The Tharu people are traditionally regarded as "Sons of the Forest," relying on natural resources for food, medicine, and cultural activities like festivals and construction for centuries.
Why is the conservation of traditional knowledge considered urgent?
The research notes that younger generations are increasingly turning toward chemically synthesized medicine, leading to a risk that the traditional knowledge of local, medicinal-rich plants might be lost.
What role do Dhamis and Jhankris play in the findings?
They are identified as key holders of traditional medicinal knowledge, having passed down the practices of preparing remedies from wild plant species through generations.
- Quote paper
- Shiv Nandan Sah (Author), 2019, Ethnic Plants of the Tharu Community in Nepal. Indigenous Knowledge on Plant Resources, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/932033
