DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN DONGRIBHATHA, KORBA, CHHATTISGARH

Abstract

Plants have played a crucial role in shaping human civilization, providing essential resources such as food, textiles, cosmetics, raw materials for pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been an integral part of herbal medicine, serving as rich bioresources for traditional healing systems, modern medicine, nutritional supplements, and the development of synthetic drugs. The objective of this study is to assess the diversity of medicinal plants and their conservation, as these species contribute significantly to maintaining ecological balance. This research presents a comprehensive account of the medicinal plant diversity of some area of Dongribhatha Village, District Korba, Chhattisgarh, based on a vegetation study conducted from 2021 to 2022. Through a detailed survey of the flora, medicinal plant species were documented, including their botanical names, families, and local names, using available literature. A total of 124 species belonging to 44 families were recorded, reflecting the rich medicinal floral diversity in the village. The highest species diversity was observed in the Fabaceae family. The study further revealed that the majority of plants found in the area possess significant medicinal properties.