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In southern India certain interesting characteristics accompany the
tribal utilization of plants. Often many plants are used for a single purpose
although other parts of the plants may have potential utility values. For
example Bridelia retusa, Canthium dicoccum, Ficus racemosa, Madhuca
longifolia var. latifolia, Palaqium ellipticum, Phyllanthus
emblica, Polyalthia cerasoides, Premna tomentosa, Scleichera
oleosa, Terminalia bellerica and Xylia xylocarpa are
used almost exclusively for their edible fruits and seeds. These plants are not
used even for construction or making agricultural implements and similar uses.
Tribal use of plants is also characterized by diversity in choice. The
majority of the human population depends on just 100 - 150 plant species for
most of their requirements. In contrast, the tribals living in southern India
use 1,000 - 1,500 species of plants. Thus a variety of plants are used as
edible greens: Allmania nodiflora, Cansjeera rheedii, Colocasia
esculenta,Lycianthes laevis, Mukia maderaspatana, Portulaca
oleracea, Rhaphidphora pertusa, Talinum cuneifolium and Trichosanthes
nervifolia. Similarly they eat fruits of many plant species to name a few,
like Carissa carandas, Cordia obliqua and Memecylon edule.
This approach not only increases the choice of plants and hence the nutritional
values but also prevents over exploitation of any single or a few species.
Nearly 10 species of food plants, which were unreported, came into
light during the Ethnobotanical studies on six tribal communities in the state
of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. A knowledge that is totally unknown to the
majority of people in the country. There is a lesson here for all human beings,
namely, that by enlarging the dietary habits to include a greater diversity of
plant products our dependence and extensive cultivation of a few species can be
reduced. Tribes also use a plenty of non-timber forest produce for their day to
day subsistence: For example oil fromMadhuca longifolia var. latifolia,
gum from Sterculia urens, fragrant resin from Boswellia
serrata and edible fruits and fibre form Grewia teliaefolia.
Tribal communities show prudence and ecological wisdom in resource
utilisation. “Kadars” of Tamil Nadu for example select only mature
plants of the yam Dioscorea for harvesting the tubers. They first
examine the vine and choose only those whose leaves are yellow which is an
indication of maturity. Tubers of young green vines are never dug out. After
harvesting the mature yams they cut off the upper portion of the tuber along
with the vine and replant it in the pit. They cover the pit with loose soil for
the tuber to grow again in the coming season for whoever may harvest it in the
future. The community as a whole shares the harvest thus avoiding over
exploitation. Part of the collection is stored for consumption during the off -
season. This is a unique example of community co-operation in plant utilities
and conservation of resources.
