Indigenous Medicinal Plant Utilization and Conservation Imperatives: An Ethnobotanical Case Study from Arunachal Pradesh, India

The present study elucidates the indigenous medicinal plant utilization by various tribes in 11 blocks across the districts of Tirap, Longding, Changlang, and East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and accentuates the significant role of local communities in the conservation of medicinal plants. The region is ethnobotanically rich, with abundant availability and knowledge of medicinal plants. The study was conducted by collecting information on local medicinal plants in consultation with traditional healers and knowledge holders of local tribal communities, with the aim of documenting the traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants for the human well-being benefit of mankind. The findings of this research highlight the significant reliance of tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh on plant-based remedies for their healthcare needs. The common medicinal plants used by Minyong, Mishing, Padam, Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, and Wancho tribes were studied, and around 57 species under 40 families were identified and documented. Majority of them are herbaceous, followed by trees, shrubs, and whole plants. Study shows that increasing demand for medicinal plants is leading to deforestation and overexploitation, further reducing the diversity of this valuable resource in the region. Thus, the study highlights the significance of ethnobotanical research, emphasizing the necessity for conservation efforts and the documentation of traditional medicinal knowledge to ensure the continued availability and utilization of these resources for the benefit of future generations. This chapter provides valuable insights into the rich ethnobotanical heritage of Arunachal Pradesh, which provides the potential for further research and conservation initiatives to safeguard this traditional medicinal knowledge and associated medicinal plants.