A sustainable use of phytodiversity by the Kandha tribe of Orissa

Abstract

<span style="mso-bidi-language:HI">The plants used by the <i>Kandha </i>tribe in the Mantriguda valley, surrounded by seven hills are described here. For the housing purpose, tribals use nine different species of plants. They cultivate thirteen plant species of millets, pulses, oil seeds and paddy and collect wild edible fruits, tubers, leaves, roots, mushrooms and youngling shoots of bamboo, to supplement their diet. They use thirteen plant species for making agricultural implements and home appliances. The tribals collect only dry plant parts for their fuel wood, irrespective of the plant species, without cutting them. A few plants like neem, banyan, <i>Peepal, </i>sacred basil, mango <i>etc. </i>are worshipped by them. For medicines, these tribals fully depend on the indigenous flora and fauna.

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