Ethnobotany of The Kondh, Poraja, Gadaba and Bonda of the Koraput Region of Odisha, India

F. Merlin Franco D. Narasimhan

2012, xiv, 248 p.; 111 col. photos, Bibliography; Index; 25 cm. ISBN 13: 978-81-246-0619-3 ISBN 10: 81-246-0619-6 ` 1250.00 US $ 50.00

Understanding the ecological knowledge of tribal and rural societies is necessary to conserve and sustain natural resources. This volume discusses the history and importance of ethnobotany with specific reference to four tribal communities of Odisha, India. It explores, analyses and looks into the future of the traditional knowledge, ecology, lifestyle, socioeconomic conditions and culture of the communities from a holistic point of view. It is based on a cross-cultural study presenting the intricate and subtle intra-cultural variations and the story of their survival. Throughout, the emphasis is on the philosophical relationship of the communities with their ecosystem and the resulting biocultural diversity. Published with financial support from the Conservation Foundation, U.K., this book would prove extremely useful to policy makers, academicians, social workers and general readers looking forward to accompany tribal communities towards ethno-sensitive development. Contents: 1) Introduction 2) Locality, Communities and Method of study 3) Enumeration of Ethnobotanical plants 4) Ethnotaxonomy of plants 5) Plants and concepts in healing 6) Forests and NTFPs 7) Agrobiodiversity 8) Indigenous technologies Dr. Merlin Franco, F., is a budding Ethnobiologist from Kanniyakumari. He earned a Ph.D in Ethnobotany from the University of Madras through Madras Christian College (MCC). He has published more than 10 papers in refereed journals and has worked with research institutes of repute such as CIKS and Earthwatch Institute. Dr. D. Narasimhan is an Associate Professor in the Department Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology at MCC. He has a Ph.D in Plant Taxonomy from the University of Madras, earned through MCC. He is a well acclaimed expert in the fields of Angiosperm Taxonomy, Ethnobotany and Medicinal plants with more than 34 papers in refereed journals.