Ethnobotanical Notes on Some Wild Plants for Non-Medicinal Purpose by the Tribals and Rurals of Chitrakoot District (U.P.)

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the tribals and rurals of Chitrakoot district during different season of February 2013 to July 2014. The study mainly focused on the wild plants used by the tribals and rurals for various non-medicinal purposes (mat, net, broom, baskets and rope making, construction, dye and tannin, gum and resin, industrial purposes, hedge/fencing, religious, to ward off evil spirits, insect repellents etc. ) through the consultation with the old and knowledgeable people. A total of 27 plant species belonging to 26 genera and 19 families were identified as economically important plants. With respect to the habit, 9 plants are herbs (1 plant is bamboo), 5 plants are shrubs and 13 are trees. Of these are used for 4 plants are basketry, 3 brooms, 2 mats, 2 nets and 4 ropes, 6 plants as fencing, 3 plants for dying and tanning, 9 plant as religious, 4 plants for evil spirits, 2 as insect repellent, 2 fertilizer, 1 alcoholic drink, 3 toothbrush, 1 plates and bowls, 1 soil erosion, 4 plants household and building material and other miscellaneous uses of these plants are also recorded. Non-medicinal uses of plants with their Botanical name, local name of plant species, Family, part used and non-medicinal uses are described in detail. The investigation underlines the potential of ethnobotanical research and needs to document the traditional knowledge pertaining to the uses of plants for greater benefit of mankind.