Phytosocialogical and Ethnomedicinal Studies of Sacred Groves in Konjikuppam Village, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu

Article Preview

Abstract:

The konjikuppam village lies on the state highway linking panruti (5 km south) and Neyveli (10 km north). The sacred grove of konjikuppam is also situated on the main read and is proximate to the village. A large bond of about 3 ha. Size lies behind the temple complex and cannel bringing strong water from the neighboring shallow ferralitic terrain runs into it. An extensive floristic survey of carried out in the sacred groves at monthly intervals between December 2011 and October 2012. Specimen flowering plants were collected and identified taxonomically with the help of different floras. Nine plots were established in three different disturbance areas within the sacred groves and it is divided into three site I. Disturbances, II. Moderately disturbance III. Undisturbance. Present study revealed that a total number of 110 plants belonging to 96 genera and 45 families were recorded from three sites (I. Disturbed, II. Moderately Disturbed, III. Undisturbed) of konjikuppam sacred groves Cuddalore district. The present study revealed that more number of species found in undisturbed site III and least number and density in disturbed site I. a total of 24 plants used in herbal preparations. The local health traditions provide immediate and cheaper remedy or relief to the poor and down trodden inhabiting the villages. The devastation of species diversity in the study area there is an urgent need for regeneration of the species for conservation of species and biodiversity.

Info:

Pages:

77-91

Citation:

Online since:

January 2015

Export:

Share:

Citation:

* - Corresponding Author

[1] Bhandary, M.J. and K.R Chandrasekar. 2003. Sacred groves of Dakhina Kanada and Udupi districts of Karnataka. Curr.Sci. 85:1655-1656.

Google Scholar

[2] Curtis, J.T. 1959. The vegetation of Wisconsin. An ordination of plant communities, Madison-Winconsin.

Google Scholar

[3] Gadgil, M. and Vartak, V.D. 1975. Sacred groves of India: a plea for continued conservation. J. Bombay Nat. His. Soc., 72: 314-320.

Google Scholar

[4] Haridasan .K. and P.R. Rao. 1985. Forest Flora of Mehalaya, Vol.1, Bishen Singh and Mhendrapal Singh, Dhera Dun, India.

Google Scholar

[5] Haridasan Nair., G. Gopikumar, K., Pramod, G., Krishnan and Sunil kumar K.K. 1997. Sacred groves of India vanishing greenery. Current Science. 72: (10) 697- 699.

Google Scholar

[6] Jain, S.K, 1989. Methods and Approaches in Ethnobotany, Society of Ethnobotanist, Lukhnow.

Google Scholar

[7] Khan,M. K., S. Mohan and K.S. Bawa. 1997. Effectiveness of The Protected Area Network in Biodiversity Conservation : a case study of Mehalaya State. Biodiv. Conserve. 6:853-868.

DOI: 10.1023/b:bioc.0000010406.35667.c0

Google Scholar

[8] Margalef, R. 1958. Perspectives in Ecological theory. Univ. of Chicago Press,p.111.

Google Scholar

[9] Martin, G. 1995. Ethnobotany – A Method Manual. Chapman and Hall, London.

Google Scholar

[10] Menhinck, E.F. 1964. A comparison of some species diversity indices applied to samples of field insects. Ecology, 45:859-861.

DOI: 10.2307/1934933

Google Scholar

[11] Nadanakunjidam, S. and G. Kamashi. 2003. Traditional medicinal knowledge of a few plants of Pondicherry and Karaikal region, Pondicherry. Adv. Plant Sci. 16:405-412.

Google Scholar

[12] Nadanakunjidam, S.and S.Abirmi. 2005. Comparative study of traditional medicinal knowledge of Pondicherry and Karaikal region in Union Territory of Pondicherry. Ethnobotany 17: 112-117.

Google Scholar

[13] Nadanakunjidam,S. 2006. Some intresting medicament from traditional medicinal practioners of Karaikal region, Pondicherry. J. Eco.Taxon. Bot. 30: 449-452.

Google Scholar

[14] Odum, E.P.1971. Fundamentals of Ecology. 3rd edn. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia.

Google Scholar

[15] Osambi, D.D. 1962. Myth and Reality, popular press, Bombey,Iindia.

Google Scholar

[16] Peet, R.K. 1974. Patterns of species diversity. Ann Rev. Ecol. Syst.,285-307.

Google Scholar

[17] Pielou, E.C.1966. The measurement of diversity in different types of biological collections. J.Theor.Biol.,13:131-144

Google Scholar

[18] Ramanujam M.P. and. D. Kadamban. 2001. Plant biodiversity of two tropical dry evergreen forest in the Pondicherry region of south India and the role of belief system in their conservation. Biodiv. Conserve. 10: 1203-1217.

DOI: 10.1023/a:1016637627623

Google Scholar

[19] Ramanujam, M.P. and K. Pravin kumar Cyril. 2003. Woody species diversity of four sacred groves in the Pondicherry region of South India. Biodiv. Conserve. 12: 289- 299.

Google Scholar

[20] Simpson, E.H.1949. Measurement of Biodiversity. Nature (London) 163:688.

Google Scholar

[21] Vertak V.D. and Gadgil, Dev Rahati. 1973. An ethnobotanical study of the forest preserved on grounds of religious belief. Proc. Indian Sci. Cong. 60: 341. ( Received 24 December 2014; accepted 10 January 2015 )

Google Scholar