Use of participatory method in preparation of inventory of economically and medicinally important plants

Participatory methods are currently used in different research areas, especially for rapid diagnosis of the needs of the local people involved in the study. Thus, these methods were used in Made Tukum block of Kharpundi village of central India. An Inventory of economically and medicinally important plants was prepared. The need for present work is to know the useful flora of the area and to maintain a record of traditional knowledge of local people. These plant species were photographed, with an emphasis on some phenological characters. Workshop was carried out for local people. On this occasion we presented names and pictures of plants, the residents discussed their economical and medicinal values. Data available from field visits, actual observations and interactions is compiled in tabulated form. People were made aware with utility of these plants & need of conservation of these plants through workshop. The compilation of this information was a way of valuing and recording the local knowledge of medicinally and economically important plants.