International Journal of Botany Studies

International Journal of Botany Studies

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Volume 2; Issue 6; November 2017; Page No. 116-125

Ethnobotanical survey of threatened medicinal plants of West Sikkim

*1
Mahendra Tamang, 2 Krishan Pal, 3 Santosh Kumar Rai, 4 Abul Kalam, 5 S Rehan Ahmad
1, 2
Department of Botany, Sri venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Uttar Pradesh, India
3
Department of Botany, Sikkim University, Sikkim, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
4
Department of Microbiology, Bidhannagar College, Salt Lake, West Bengal, India
*(Corresponding Author): Mahendra Tamang

Abstract
Ethnobotanical studies provide useful information about a wide variety of taxa that are used locally by indigenous peoples for
various purposes. Present study was carried out in West Sikkim considering its richness in ethnic and floral diversity as well as due
to the location of the Kanchendzonga National park which is a world heritage site. The stpudy was conducted between October
2015-September 2017 to understand and assess the present status of local ethno-medicinal plants. Data was collected by
interviewing 80 informants that included traditional healers, dhami, bijua, bongthing, vaidyas, Jhakri, lama, farmers and elderly
peoples by employing semi-structured and structured interviews. Information such as local name, parts used, diseases treated,
present status, etc. were collected which was then followed by voucher specimen collection and assessment of the plant status by
organizing regular field trips. The study revealed 54 medicinal plants whose population has dramatically decreased and are found
sporadically only in restricted distribution. Applying the criteria of CAMP guidelines of IUCN it was found that out of 54
threatened plants, 24 medicinal plants have become vulnerable contributing 44.44% (VU) followed by 12 endangered species
(22.22% EN), 9 species near threatened (16.66% NT), 5 species least concern (9.25% LC), 2 species rare (3.70% RR) and 1
species data is deficient (1.85% DD). Herbs constituted the most dominant plant (55.55%), followed by trees (27.77%), shrubs
(9.25%), and climbers (7.40%). West Sikkim harbours rich wealth of medicinal plants diversity. However, due to poor scientific
approach towards utilization of such resource they are facing a varying degree of threat hence, this information serves great
importance in the process of its conservation.

Keywords: ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, threatened medicinal plants, West Sikkim

Introduction: Background of ethnobotany is that the medicines that are being derived
Plant has always remained an inevitable part in human life from the natural ecosystems are discovered by those living in
since the time of human civilization. It has become the close proximity to the plants dealing with illness (Young,
indispensable source of food, medicine, fiber, fuel, fodder, 2006). More than 10,000 medicinal plants are reported from
dye, construction material, etc. This knowledge has been the Himalayan region which sustains the livelihood of about
evolved through trial and error methods for ages and has 100 million rural peoples (Shengji, 2001). For centuries a vast
passed down from generation to the next and led to the birth amount of ethnomedicine and ethnobotanical knowledge has
of ethnobotany. The term ethnobotany was coined in 1885 existed in India. Except for the Indian traditional system of
by John. medicine, other aspects of ethnobotanical riches are vanishing
William Harshberger to study the inter-relationship between in urban parts of the country due to the influence of western
plants and people, (White, 1931). Plants are used as a source culture and lifestyle. However, a substantial amount of
of medicine in traditional healthcare dates back to 1000 BC ethnobotanical knowledge is still being preserved by certain
and as described in Vedic literature it has immense medicinal tribes located in various regions of India (Taylor & Francis,
properties to treat many human diseases and in the 1997).
development of different types of new medicines. According Sikkim is a small hilly but naturally very beautiful
to WHO (2000), about 80% worlds population depends on northeastern state of India. It measures 7,069 sq. km. in size
indigenous medicine for their healthcare. Wild plants and ranges between 300m to 8,568m above sea level. Due to
especially the medicinal plants are the primary source of the varied topography, Sikkim is known for harboring a great
livelihood of the rural communities as it forms the integral deal of biodiversity and is said to be a biodiversity hotspot
part for their sustenance (Zemede & Mesfin, 2001). Many (Hajra & Verma, 1996). The state has about 80% of its
drugs that are in the market today have come to us from these geographical area under forest with an estimated of over 4500
indigenous uses by the native people. These drugs are being species of flowering plants consisting of many medicinally
used in some way in modern medicine and not necessarily for important plants. Much of the threatened medicinal plants of
the same purpose as they were used by the native cultures in West Sikkim are found in the Kanchendzonga National Park.
the past (Prance, 1994). One of the greatest economic values The KNP comprises of 1,784 sq. km. in area.

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The Kanchendzonga National Park is the only national park in it being very close to the Bay of Bengal. The annual rainfall
Sikkim which is named after the lofty snow peak, the worlds ranges from less than 5 mm to nearly 4000 mm. For most of
3rd highest mountain peak Kanchendzonga which is spread in the period in a year, the climate is cold and humid as rainfall
the North and West district of Sikkim. It is inscribed as a occurs in each month. The river Rangit and its tributaries are
world heritage site in the mixed categories by UNESCO in the main channels of drainage, run nearly north-south. The
2016. It occupies 25% of the total geographical area of the valleys cut by this river and their chief feeders are very deep.
State of Sikkim. District is mainly formed of Precambrian rock of young age
The ethnobotanical studies of Sikkim was first promulgated constituting hard massive gneissose rocks. The total forest
by Atkinson (1882) [1], followed by Biswas (1956) [4], Hajra & cover of the district is 56.31 per cent of the total geographical
Chakraborty (1981) [7], Biswas & Chopra (1982), Bennet area (Envis).
(1983, 1985) [2, 3], Krishna and Singh (1987), Rai & Sharma Five broad vegetation types have been demarcated for Sikkim
(1994), Jana & Chauhan (2000) [9], Maiti et al. (2003) [6, 13], according to Champion and Seth, 1968 (Sikkimforest).
Dash et al. (2003) [6], Pradhan & Badola (2008). Singh et al. 1. Tropical Moist deciduous-Semi evergreen Forest (alt. 300-
(2002) reported that the 64 species of medicinal plants 900 m)
belonging to 42 families and 57 genera treating several 2. Eastern Himalayan Sub-tropical Broad-leaved Hill Forests
diseases are among the ethnic groups in Sikkim. Panda (2007) (alt. 900-1800 m)
presented 30 medicinal plants which have high medicinal 3. Himalayan Wet Temperate Forests (alt. 1800-3000 m)]
values in Ayurveda. These plants have Rasayana and 4. Sub-alpine Forests (alt. 3000-3700 m) and
tridoshagna properties which are commonly used in treating 5. Alpine Forests (alt. 3700-4500 m)
common health problems in Sikkim. Das (2009) discussed The total population of the district is 1,36,435 consisting of
with the 225 different uses of 167 plants species belonging to 70,238 Male and 66,197 female with the population density of
84 families for the treatment of 27 major ailments among ten 117 (census 2011). The district comprises of two sub-division
rural communities of Sikkim. Out of the total uses of plants, viz., Soreng and Gyalshing and nine blocks. The major ethnic
herbs constituted 50%, trees by 25 % and shrubs by 17 % communities of district are Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali.
while climbers, the lowest category, constituted 8%. Idrisi et Lepchas are considered to be the original inhabitants of
al. (2010) documented 45 medicinal plant species, distributed Sikkim (Lepcha and their Tradition, (SikkimNIC). A Nepali
across 36 families used by local communities of the Rangit community forms the bulk of the population Bahun, Pradhan,
Valley for curing over 20 human ailments. Out of these 45 Rai, Gurung, Mangar, Kami, Damai, Etc. Sherpa, and consists
species, 08 are used in treating fever, 07 species in diarrhea of Limboo, Tamang, Chhetri,
and dysentery, 02 in bone related problems, 06 in stomach
related problems, 10 in cough, cold and throat problems, 07 in
cuts, wounds and burns, 07 in bronchitis and respiratory
disorders, 03 in piles and 05 species in other health problems.
Jha and Jha, (2016) reported that 10 medicinal plants used by
Sherpas in Sikkim are also used in traditional Tibetan
medicines (Amchi) as well as in the modern medical systems.
Today, this rich wealth is exceedingly depleted due to over
harvesting, rapid urbanization, unsustainable land use
practices and habitat degradation which may lead to adverse
effects on rare or endangered species (Krishna, Chhetri &
Singh, 2002) [12].

Materials and Method

Study area
The present investigation was carried out in West district of
Sikkim. West district is the second largest district of Sikkim
situated in the south western part of the State between
2700046 -2800748 N latitude and 8800058- 8805525
longitude covering an area of 1166 Sq. Km. The district is
bordered by Nepal in the West, North district of Sikkim in
North, South district of Sikkim in the east and Darjeeling
district of West Bengal in the South. The altitude ranges from
300m to 8,568m above sea level. Temperature varies sharply
with altitude and slope. The mean temperature varies from
about 26.80C in September to 20.70C in the month of January. Fig 1
Mean daily minimum temperatures are around 7.5 0C in
January to 13.30C in October. The mean monthly wind speed Method
varies from as low as 43.52 km/day from July to September to Extensive ethnobotanical study was conducted in the whole
high of 98.4 km/day in the month of April. The area west district of Sikkim covering all the areas. In the
experiences a heavy rainfall during the monsoon season due to preliminary stage, the local peoples having ethnomedicinal

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knowledge were identified by consultation with the village medicine men. Regular field trips were organized in different
heads that include elderly peoples, farmers, traditional healers seasons extending from low elevation to high elevation. Study
such as dhami, bijua, Jhakri, Bongthing, Lama, local medicine was carried out along with collection of voucher specimens,
men, vaidyas, etc. The total of 80 informants consisting of recording their GPS data, distribution, frequency and density.
both men and women were interviewed. The data was The collected plant specimens were properly processed and
collected between October 2015- September 2017 by selecting identified with the help of Flora of Bhutan (Notlite, 1994 &
key informants using semi-structured and structured 2000), Flowers of the Himalaya (Stainton & Polunin, 1997)
questionnaire. During the course of field survey, the and other regional literatures and their authentication was
information such as plant species, local name, plants parts, done by comparing with the deposited specimens in
mode of administration, name of the diseases treated, time of Herbarium and consulting the experts of Botanical Survey of
harvesting, place of availability, present status, were collected India, Gangtok, Sikkim. The herbarium specimens were
from the informants. The reports of one informant were cross finally deposited in herbaria at BSI, Gangtok, Sikkim. The
checked with the others to validate the information. This was IUCN status of the species was determined on the basis of the
then followed by collection of voucher specimens from the occurrence in natural habitats. The result of the present study
study area with the involvement of highly knowledged local is presented in the table no.1.

Table 1: List of Threatened medicinal plants of West Sikkim (NT= Near Threatened, VU= Vulnerable, EN= Endangered, LC= Least Concern,
DD= Data deficient, RR= Rare and CR= Critical)
S Distributional Present
Botanical Name Family Local Name Habit Parts used Uses
No. range Status
Tonsil, pneumonia, skin disease,
Abrus precatorius 300- Roots, leaves cough, cold, menstrual problems,
1 Fabaceae Lalgedi Climber NT
L. 1100m and fruits abortion, urinary disorders and
sore throat.
Asthma, blood clots, cough,
Aconitum ferox 2700-
2 Ranunculaceae Bikhma Herb Rhizomes diabetes, rheumatism, snake bite, VU
Wall.ex Ser. 3800m
stomach ache and toothache.
Antidote for snakebite, food
Aconitum poisoning, stomachache,
3200-
3 heterophyllum Wall.ex Ranuncu laceae Bikh Herb Rhizomes antiperiodic, piles, body ache, VU
3700m
Royle cold, cough, nose discharge, sore
throat and antifertility.
Asthma, epilepsy, fever,
pneumonia, bronchitis, gastritis,
sore throat, body pain, cuts,
Acorus calamus 600- Rhizomes
4 Araceae Bojho Herb wounds and skin problems. NT
L. 2100m and leaves
Rhizome decoction is given to
cattle to treat diarrhea and leaf
paste in wound.
Cholera, dysentery, cold and
2800-
5 Allium wallichi Kunth Alliaceae Banlasun Herb Bulbs cough and reducing altitude EN
4300m
sickness.
Roots,
stems, Fever, jaundice, malaria,
Berberis aristata 1700-
6 Berberidaceae Chutro Tree leaves, Bark diarrhea swelling, eye problems DD
DC. 3500m
and and rabies.
flowers
Juice of whole plant is used in
treating urinary problems, leaf
Bergenia ciliate 1800- juice is used in treating earaches,
7 Saxifrag aceae Pakhanbed Herb Whole plant VU
(Haw.) Sternb. 4400m root is used in fever and
diarrhea, root juice is used in
cold, cough and asthma.
Betula utilis D. 2700- Bark and Decoction used for cleaning
8 Betulaceae Bhojpatra Tree NT
Don 4200m branches wounds as antiseptic.
Calamus erectus 700-
9 Arecaceae Phyakre Tree Fruit Diabetes. VU
Roxb. 1300m
Leaves are used as cooling agent
Cardiocrinum Chameli 2400- Leaves and
10 Liliaceae Shrub to reduce pains of wounds and VU
giganteum (Wall.) phul 3600m tubers
bruises. Roots paste is used as

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Makino poultice in bone dislocation.

Diarrhea, dysentery, fever,
Dactylorhiza hatagirea 2900- Tubers and diabetes. Paste used in cuts and
11 Orchidaceae Panchamle Herb CR
(D. Don) Soo 4200m shoots wounds, body ache, gastritis and
bone fracture.
Dioscorea deltoidea 450- Oral contraceptives and lice
12 Dioscoreaceae Bantarul Climber Tubers VU
Wall.ex Griseb. 3000m problems.
Low blood pressure, fever,
Ephedra gerardiana 2000- Stem and
13 Ephedraceae Somlata Herb asthma, cuts, indigestion and VU
Wall.ex Stapf 5200m fruits
headache.
Evodia fraxinifolia Roots, bark,
1000-
14 (D. Rutaceae Khanakpa Tree fruits Dysentery and fever. VU
2400m
Don) Hook.f. And seeds
Fraxinus floribunda 1200-
15 Oleaceae Lakuri Tree Bark Gout and bone fractures. EN
Wall. 1900m
Leaves smoke is inhaled to allay
Hedgsonia heteroclite 300- irritation from small insects,
16 Cucurbitaceae Ghuiphal Climber Leaves EN
Hook.f. & Thomson 1500m leaves boiled and liquid is taken
for nose complaints and fever.
Heracleum wallichii 1700-
17 Apiaceae Chimphing Herb Seeds Diarrhea and gastritis. LC
DC. 4000m
Horsfieldia kingii (J.
300-
18 D. Myristicaceae Ramguwa Tree Fruits Piles. EN
1200m
Hooker) Warburg
Juniperus recurva
3400- Smoke inhaled in vomiting and
19 Buch.- Cupressaceae Sukpa Shrub Aerial parts NT
4600m headache.
Ham.ex D. Don
Chamaecostus
Diabetes, skin problems, fever,
cuspidatus (Nees & 600-
20 Costaceae Insulin plant Herb Leaves asthma, bronchitis and intestinal RR
Mart.) C. Specht & 2000m
worm disease.
D.W. Stev.
Macropanax
700- Leaves and
21 dispermus (Wallich ex Araliaceae Chinde Tree Diabetes, LC
2200m bark
G. Don) Seemann
Mahonia napaulensis Jamanemand 1000- Bark and Dysentery, diarrhea and urinary
22 Berberidaceae Tree NT
DC. ro 1800M fruit disorders.
Root decoction is used in
Martynia annua 500- Roots and
23 Martyniaceae Gauphul Herb snakebite, leaf juice in leprosy, EN
L. 900m leaves
tuberculosis and sore throat.
Bone fractures, fever, back pain,
Meconopsis horridula 3500- Whole
24 Papaver aceae Kesar Herb lung and skin diseases, sinusitis, NT
Hook.f. & Thomson 5500m plant
bile disease and wounds.
Skin diseases, menstrual
300-
25 Mesua ferrea L. Clusiaceae Nageswari Tree Bark problems and paste applied in VU
1000M
hydrocoel and wound.
Skin disease, leprosy, ulcers,
Nardostachys 3200- Whole cold, cough, fever, high blood
26 Valerianaceae Jatamasi Herb VU
grandiflora DC. 5300m plant pressure, stomach problems,
dysentery and constipation.
Leaves decoction is take in
malarial fever, bark paste is used
Nyctanthes arbor- 200- Bark, leaves in dislocated joints and leaves
27 Oleaceae Parijat Tree LC
tristis L. 1200m and flowers and flower infusion is given to
cause expulsion of placenta in
women.

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Panax sokpayensis Fever, weakness, liver disorders,

1700-
28 Shiva K. Sharma & Araliaceae Panchpatre Herb Tuber Menstrual disorders indigestion EN
2300m
Pandit and vomiting.
Fever, weakness, liver disorders,
Panax bipinnatifidum 1600-
29 Araliaceae Panchpatre Herb Tuber menstrual disorders indigestion EN
Seem. 3800m
and vomiting.
Paris polyphylla 1800- Stomachache, fever, diarrhea and
30 Liliaceae Satuwa Herb Tuber VU
Smith 3500m dysentery.
Phlogocanthus
thyrsiflora 300- Diabetes, cold and cough and
31 Acanthaceae Tusare Shrub Flower LC
(Hardwicke.) 1000m fever.
Mabberley
Picrorhiza kurrooa 3800- Root paste applied in cuts,
32 Plantaginaceae Kutki Herb Roots VU
Royole ex Benth. 4500m wounds and injuries.
Constipation, skin eruption, liver
Rheum australe 3600- Roots and disorders, internal injuries, body
33 Polygonaceae Khokim Herb VU
D. Don 4400m petiole pain, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcers,
cuts and wounds.
Ulcers, bronchitis, fever,
Rheum nobile 3800- fractures, rheumatism arthritis,
34 Polygonaceae Padamchal Herb Roots NT
Hook.f. & Thoms. 5000m heart complaints, tonic after
delivery of baby and swelling.
Kidney problem, urinary
disorders, asthma, lung infection,
Rhodiola himalensis 3600-
35 Crassulaceae Lakpaguru Herb Roots poisoning, arthritis, fever, oral NT
(D.Don) S. H. Fu 4600m
infection and to the women after
child birth.
Indigestion, vomiting,
Rhododendron Leaves,
3500- respiratory
36 anthopogon D. Ericaceae Sunpati Shrub twigs and VU
5000m disorders, stomachache and
Don flowers
dysentery.
Leaves,
Rhododendron Bhairungpat 3700- Young leaves are used in
37 Ericaceae Shrub stems and VU
setosum D. Don e 5600m wounds.
flowers
Burns, epilepsy, tonic,
Sapindus mukorossi 1000- Roots,bark anthelmintic, purgative, asthma
38 Sapindaceae Ritha Tree EN
Gaertn. 1200m And fruits and in removing dandruff and
lice.
Saussurea
4300- Whole Wool is used in cuts and other
39 gossypiphora Asteraceae Maikopila Herb VU
5600m plant parts are used in wounds.
D.Don.
Saussurea tridactyla
3600- Whole Used as a tonic for weakness,
40 Sch.Bip.ex Asteraceae Kapasephul Herb VU
5800m plant menstrual disorders and arthritis.
Hook.f.
Selinum tenuifolium Hairy roots smoke is inhaled to
2750- Roots and
41 (DC.) Raizada & Apiaceae Bhutkesh Herb relief from faint, headache and VU
4600m fruits
Saxena fever and leaves aromatic.
Sinopodophyllu
m hexandrum 800-
42 Berberid aceae Laghu patra Herb Tubers Diabetes. RR
(Royle) 1700m
T.S.Ying
Swertia chirayita Plant infusion is used to treat
1200- Aerial
43 (Roxb.ex Fleming) Gentianaceae Chiraito Herb fever, cold, cough, inflammation EN
3000m parts
Karsten and dyspepsia.
44 Swertia Gentian Sarmaguru Herb 4000- Roots Decoction is used in fever, VU

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multicaulis D. aceae 4900m cough, cold, bodyache and

Don
internal injuries and paste
applied in cuts and wounds.
Swertia hookeri Gentian 3300-
45 Lekhchiraito Herb Roots Jaundice. EN
C. B. Clarke aceae 3900m
Piles, muscular pain, fever,
Bark, leaves
Taxus wallichiana Dhengre 2100- asthma, bronchitis, epilepsy,
46 Taxaceae Tree and EN
Zucc. salla 3500m headache, giddiness diarrhea and
fruits
liver disorders.
Cough, sore throat, constipation,
Terminalia bellerica Combret 300- Fruits and bronchitis, asthma, diarrhea,
47 Barra Tree VU
(Gaertn.) Roxb. aceae 1100m bark dysentery and respiratory
disorders.
Cough, sore throat, gastritis,
mouth ulcers, diarrhea and
Terminalia 150- Fruits and
48 Combret aceae Harra Tree dysentery, bark decoction is fed VU
chebula Retz. 1100m bark
to cattle to treat diarrhea and
dysentery.
Roots, stems
Thalictrum Ranuncu 1300- Poisoning, fever, wounds and
49 Mirmire Herb and LC
foliolosum DC. laceae 3400m infection.
leaves
Roots, Diabetes, menstrual
Tinospora sinensis
Menispe Gurju 300- stems, disorders, piles, fever, fractured
50 (Lour.) Climber NT
rmaceae Lahara 900m leaves and and painful joint and
Merr. tuberculosis.
fruits
Ulmus lanceifolia 700-
51 Ulmaceae Chamlayo Tree Bark Bone fracture. EN
Roxb.ex Wall 1600m
Fever, cold, headache, sore
Valeriana jatamansii 1200- throat, wounds, indigestion,
52 Valerianaceae Jatamasi Herb Rhizomes VU
Jones 3600m hysteria, epilepsy, cough and
asthma.
Viscum articulatum 200- Whole Bone fracture, body ache, fever,
53 Santalaceae Harchur Herb VU
Burm.f. 1700m plant epilepsy and muscular pains.
Zingiber cassumunar 600- Leaves and cough, fever, dyspepsia, sinusitis
54 Zingiberaceae Phachyang Herb VU
Roxb. 1300m flowers and stomachache.

Result and Discussion by indigenous peoples since time immemorial to cure various
The present research was conducted in th West district of human ailments. This indigenous knowledge of local flora is
Sikkim keeping in mind the current trends of utilization of inherited through a simple verbal communication from
plant resources for the medicinal purposes, its geographical, generations. This knowledge today is confined to only few
cultural and ethnic diversity. West Sikkim is a hilly terrain people in the rural societies mostly to older people only. The
district mostly covered by forest and large population is found reasons for such rapid reduction of this knowledge is many
settled in the forest fringe areas. People living in the rural such as, modernization, allopathic medicine and also
areas largely rely on the traditional form of treatment. They traditional healers have the belief that if the value of these
either try on their own or approach the local practitioners for plants are revealed they may be exploited by others and
the help. A large proportion of the area falls under the superstiously feel that the medicinal property in these plants
jurisdiction of Forest Department and in the Kanchendzonga will disappear. They prefer to keep this knowledge to
National Park. Due to the topographical, climatic and cultural themselves. So, there is a huge chance of such knowledge
diversity, this area is very rich in biodiversity. The study getting permanently lost in the future if this is not catalogued
found that majority of village people largely rely on the in time. In the present investigation, a total of 54 plants were
traditional mode of treatment. The buffer zones of recorded that were having varying degree of threat in the wild.
Kanchendzonga National Parks are the most ecologically They are distributed into 38 families and 45 genera. The
sensitive area because tribal people living in this area largely families having maximum number of species were Araliaceae,
use and hunt the forest products for their livelihood. Berberidaceae, Gentianaceae and Ranunculaceae with three
The present study revealed that the local ethnic communities species each followed by Apiaceae,
are repository of rich knowledge of ethnomedicine and a large Asteraceae, Combretaceae, Ericaceae, Liliaceae, Oleaceae,
number of locally available plants is being used traditionally Polygonaceae and Valerianaceae with two species each. Herbs

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were the most dominant plant (55.55%), followed by trees

(27.77%), shrubs (9.25%), and climbers (7.40%) Fig. 1. Different plant parts are used in the preparation of local
medicines for treating numerous diseases in human in which
the leaf (44.44%) was used in the majority of the treatment,
followed by bark (40.74%), fruits (38.88%), roots (37.03%),
stems (29.62%), flowers (25.92%), seeds (18.51%) Tubers
(11.11%), whole plants (11.11%), rhizome (7.40%) and bulbs
(1.85%) Fig.2. local peoples prefer to use locally available
medicinal plants to cure the disease.
Study also found that many of these plants have a very high
demand and market value outside. As a result they are
collected on a large scale from the wild and are sold to the
undisclosed traders illegally.
Fig 1: Percentage of Habits of Ethnomedicinal Plants.

Fig 2: Pereentage of Plant parts used

The study revealed that these plants are widely used by the distant location of hospitals and poor economic conditions, the
local peoples in treating diseases such as tonsil, pneumonia, some of the plants such as Aconitum heterophyllum,
skin disease, cough, cold, menstrual problems, in abortion, Nardostachys grandiflora and Picrorhiza kurooa are highly
urinary disorders, sore throat, snakebite, food poisoning, exploited and their existence is threatened (Sharma et al.
stomachache, piles, body ache, nose discharge, antifertility, 1995). Due to unsustainable collection practices plants of high
asthma, blood clots, diabetes, rheumatism, toothache, therapeutic values have undergone huge depletion resulting
epilepsy, fever, pneumonia, bronchitis, gastritis, cuts, into their severe threat. The regular field study and assessment
wounds, cholera, dysentery, altitude sickness, lice problems, of plant population revealed that some of the local medicinal
jaundice, malaria, swelling, eye problems, rabies, earaches, plants have been reduced radically in the last few decades.
tuberculosis, sinusitis, ulcers, high blood pressure, liver Applying the criteria of CAMP guidelines of IUCN it is found
disorders, vomiting, skin eruption, internal injuries, heart that 24 medicinal plants have become vulnerable contributing
complaints, Burns, dandruff, headache, hysteria, etc. Majority 44.44% (VU) followed by 12 endangered species (22.22%
of these plants are used in combination for the effective EN), 9 species near threatened (16.66% NT), 5 species least
treatment. The powder form is the most commonly used form concern (9.25% LC), 2 species rare (3.70% and 1 species data
of medication amongst the traditional healers. Due to low cost, is deficient (1.85% Fig.3. 50.00%)

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Fig 2: Pereentage of Present Status

Most of these plants are restricted in distribution and found Chamaecostus cuspidatus is found growing only in homestead
only in few patches. Sinopodophyllum hexandrum was once garden. The illegal and unsystematic collection of these
common in the study area but now has become rare and is species has become a serious cause of concern.
found sporadically only in one location.

Fig 4: Paris polyphylla Smith Fig 5: Swertia hookeri C. B. Clarke Fig 6: Panax sokpayensis Shiva K. Sharma
& Pandit

Fig 7: Dactylorhiza hetagirea (D.Don.) Soo Fig 8: Rheum nobile Hook F & Thoms. Fig 9: Martynia annua L.

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Fig 10: Photos of Vaidyas

Conclusion homestead garden but due to climatic difference in the

Several ethno-medicinal research works have been done in homestead garden most of these plants fail to grow. Analysis
Sikkim in the past by various researchers but less effort are of data reveals that an alternative approach should be taken
being made to study and assess the current status of urgently to reduce pressure on natural source. Government
ethnobotanical plants in the region. The rate of development, should formulate strict mechanism to put to an end to the
urbanization, new pattern of agriculture, tourism, grazing of illegal harvesting of certain products from the wild since
animals in alpine region, scattered and limited distribution of resource once lost is difficult to replenish. Locals should be
certain highly useful plants in few pockets, illegal collection encouraged to cultivate them on their own agricultural field
of plant resources are causing rapid loss of these valuable and some arrangements need to be made to motivate them.
plant species. The western part of the district is more prone to
over-exploitation of resources because the district shares its Acknowledgement
boundary with Nepal. The study discovered that this border The authors are immensely grateful to the Forest,
area falls in high elevation ranging from sub- temperate to Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Govt. of
alpine covered by rich floral diversity including the extremely Sikkim for granting permission to carry out this research in
valuable medicinal plants. People living in the vicinity of the KNP as well as for preparing maps. We would also like to
border has free access and regularly graze their cattle and is extend thanks to Dr. Agarwal and his team, Botanica Survey
also free to harvest the medicinal plants of great importance. of India, Gangtok, Sikkim for the identification and other
Sinopodophyllum hexandrum a plant with high medicinal necessary help. We are also thankful to Mr. S. Yonzone for
potentiality having its natural habitat around this belt has editing the language of manuscript.
faced the same fate of threat and led to the trace existence.
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