Ethnobotany I

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

Course Objectives:

This course will enable the students –

  1. To acquire traditional knowledge of plants, their uses and 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 medicine systems.
  5. To study certain important plants 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 in plant usages, nutrition from plants and evolution of food processing activities, patterns of human plant selection for food, medicine, poison, rituals and religious activities.

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

CO113: Know and/or identify important plant species.

C0114: Know and characterise specific plant taxa used by people

CO 115: Understand physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of useful plants

 

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

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:

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

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:

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 V: 
Natural resources and their conservation:

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: 

Essential Readings:

  • Chaudhuri, A.B. and Sardar, D.D. Biodiversity Endangered: India’s Threatened Wild Life and Medicinal Plants. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur.
  • Jain, S.K. (2002). Bibiliography of Indian Ethnobotany. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur.

 

Suggested Readings:

  • 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.

 

References: 

e-Resources:

 

Journals:

  • Biodiversity and Conservation (Springer)
  • International Journal of Biodiversity (Hindwai)
  • Ethnobotany (PLOSONE)
  • Ethnobotany (FRONTIERS)
  • Environment and Natural Resources (SCImago)

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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