Studies on utilization patterns of Terminalia chebula Retz. in Sirsi forest division of Uttara Kannada district of Western Ghat region, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Terminalia chebula Retz. commonly known as Harar (Hindi) and Analekai/Alale(Kannada) having a trading name of ‘Chebulic myrobalan’ belongs to the family Combretaceae and is indigenous to India and Southeast Asia. This is a medium to large deciduous tree, younger stems glabrescent and woody growing up to 30 m tall, with a trunk up to 1m in diameter. T. chebula occurs scatteredly in Teak forests, and deciduous forest and extends into forests of comparatively dry types. Harar has been traditionally used in the Indian system of medicine Ayurveda. It is routinely used as a household remedy throughout the subcontinent for treating various illnesses. It is also used in many of the standard preparations such as ‘Triphala’ and ‘Chyawanprash’ which is used as a food supplement. Myrobalans are also used in the preparation of ink and in dye as a mordant for the basic aniline dyes and the fruit is extensively used for tanning. However studies on utilization patterns of this species were rarely documented. Keeping in view the socio-economic importance of this species, the present study was conducted to document the utilization patterns of Terminalia chebula Retz. tree by local people in the villages of Sirsi Forest division using a participatory discussion method through a questionnaire survey. The survey was conducted in 22 different villages of Sirsi Forest division which is located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. A total of 85 families were surveyed from these villages. The present study documented fifteen different using patterns of Terminalia chebula tree used by local people of this region. This study also documented the seven different medicinal usages of this tree from this region which was used by the local people to treat various human and animal ailments. Fruit (100%) was the most frequently used part of this tree followed by fuelwood (42.35%) and leaves (9.41%) for manuring.