Ethnobotany I

Paper Code: 
BOT 421B
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. To acquaint the student about traditional knowledge of plants and their use, role in curing various human diseases.
  2. To acquire knowledge on various types of drug preparation
  3. To understand the various phytochemical involved in therapeutics
  4. To gain knowledge of traditional and allopathy medicines
  5. To study certain important plant involved in home remedies

 

Course Outcomes (COs):

     Course

Course Outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

BOT 421B

 

Elective 2A: Ethnobotany I

On completion of this course, the students will be able to;

CO111:  Understand the patterns of cultural evolution with plants, Nutrition from plants and evolution of food processing, Patterns of human plant selection for food, medicine, poison, ritual and religion

CO112: Understand important interactions between cultural practices, ecosystems, and modern science.

CO113: Know and/or identify important plant species.

CL0114: Know specific plant taxa used by people

CO 115: Know characteristics of plant taxa used by people: Physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of useful plants

CO116: Analyse commonly used qualitative research methods and demonstrate their use

CO117:  Have a knowledge of the sectors in which these plants are used and utilize the same to earn a livelihood.

Class lectures

Seminars

Tutorials

Group discussions and Workshops

Question preparation

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 

 

12.00
UNIT I                                                                                                

Ethnobotany and Ethnic Groups: Aims, Objectives and scope, methods of study of Ethnobotany.Ethnobotany of Rajasthan and India. Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan. Ethnic groups of Rajasthan.  Major tribes – Meena, Bhil, Garasia, Saharia, Dhanka, Kalbelia, Nut, Banjara, Koli, Naika and their life style.                                 

12.00

UNIT II                                                                                                                      

Economic ethnobotany: Jhoom and shifting cultivation, consequential damage to forest eco-system. Traditional use of plants as Food, Fodder, Fencing, Decoration and Adornment, Dyes, Timber, Intoxicants and Masticatories.                                                                                                                         

12.00
UNIT III                                                                                           

Medico ethnobotany: Plants and their parts used for curing various ailments found in human beings and animals. Detailed study about the mode of use and application of following important medicinal plants : Aloe, Bacoppa, Barleria, Bombax, Calotropis, Catharanthes, Chlorophyton, Cissus, Commiphora, Convolvulus, Datura, Jatropha, Ocimum, Phyllanthes, Plumlbago, Ricinus, Sentella, Terminalia, Thespisia, Thevitia, Tinospora, Tribullus, Tylophora, Withania.                                                                       

 

12.00
UNIT IV                                                                                            

Biodiversity Conservation: Efforts and initiatives to conserve biodiversity.  Biological production with particular reference to conservation of flora, windbreaks, heltter belt, afforestation and desert control measures.  Unexploited plants of potential economic value with special reference to Rajasthan.  Sacred groves. Strategies for conservation: in situ and ex-situ Role of Biotechnology in Biodiversity conservation: Causes of loss of Biodiversity.  

 

12.00
UNIT IV                                                                                       

Natural resources and their conservation: Resources, types, conservation, need for integration of Biodiversity with Science and Technology. Soil conservation, Desertification, Afforestation, World conservation and National Conservation strategies, voluntary agencies and non-government organizations. National research institutes participating in conservation of biodiversity such as CSIR, NBPGR, ICAR, CAZRI, BSI, DBT.     

Essential Readings: 
  • Chaudhuri, AB and Sardar, DD. Biodiversity Endangered: India’s Threatened Wild Life and Medicinal Plants. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur.
  • Jain, SK. 2002. Bibiliography of Indian Ethnobotany. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur.
  • Sivadasan, M and Mathew, P. Biodiversity, Taxonomy and Conservation of Flowering Plants. Mentor Books, Calicut.
  • Singh, A. Glossary of Medicinal Plants used in Ayueveda. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur.
  • Bhattacharjee, SK. Handbook of Aromatic plants. Pointer Publishers, Jaipur.
  • Trivedi, PC (Ed.). Ethnobotany. Aavishkar Publishers, Jaipur.Kaushik, P and Dheeman, AK. Medicinal Plants and Raw Drugs of India. Bishan and Mahinder Pal Singh, DehraDun.
  • Joshi, MC. Handbook of Indian Medicinal Plants. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur.

 

 

Academic Year: 
2021-2022
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