Diversity of Medicinal and Tuber Bearing Plants in Bastar Plateau of Chhattisgarh, India

Based on extensive explorations and observations the diversity and performance studies of medicinally important and some rarely occurring tuber bearing plants were studied. Out of major forest and village areas of Bastar division explored, the forest and some protected areas viz. Abujhmarh, Kanger ghati, Bijapur forest, Bailadila hills, Binta forest, Bhejji forests, Mardoom forests, Dantewada forest, Bhopalpatnam forest, Sukma forest and Keskal-Kanker were observed with maximum diversity of medicinal plants and tubers. Among medicinal species, the maximum diversity of Chlorophytum sp. was observed in eastern and southern regions of Abujhmarh, some pockets of Machkot range, river valley of Bhopalpatnam, Barsur and Kotumsar cave forests of Bastar. Similarly, the Gloriosa superba L. was noted with maximum diversity in forests surrounding to Sukma, eastern Abujhmarh, Cheetapadar and Tiriya forests. However, the occurrence of some other important medicinal species, viz., Dioscorea sp., Amorphophallus sp., Colocasia sp. Jangli angoor/Datte lata (Ampelocissus arnottina Pleach) and Dokar bela/Duthila kanda (Vitex sp. wild) was recorded in all the forest areas of Bastar with maximum recorded diversity in the forests of Abujhmarh hills, Machkot, Gupteswar river forest, Binta forests, Sukma, Kanger Ghatti, Bhopalpatnam, Barsur and Dantewara. Ramdatoun (Smilax macrophylla) was recorded with moderate in occurrence but maximum occurrence in forests of Abujhmar, Machkot, Tiriya, Kotumsar and Barsur.

Considering the density and diversity of various medicinal species like Gloriosa superba, Chlorophytum borivillianum, C. laxum, Aristolochia indica L., Dioscorea hispida L., D. rotundata L., Smilax macrophylla L., Andrographis paniculata, Rauvolfia serpentina are endangered and recorded with only location specific diversity in Bastar. Piper longum L. noted to be endangered except in river valleys of Abujhmar, Tiriya and Gupteswar surroundings where it was observed upto considerable extent. Similarly, Rauvolfia serpentina was noted to some extent only in forests of Gupteswar surroundings, Chitapadar of Machkot and eastern Abujhmarh. Based on above findings both the in situ and ex situ conservation of endangered species was suggested.