Title: Collaborative Solutions: Cross Disciplinary Approaches to Achieve Global Sustainability Goals
Editors: Dr. Gautam Agrawal, and Dr. Swati Singh
ISBN: 978-81-69857-19-2
Chapter: 9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/765/9
Authors: Ms. Raveena Negi, M. Abhi Charan, Om Rishabh, B. Siddu, P. Karthik, and Samarth Singh
Abstract
Haryana, a state in northern India, possesses a rich diversity of medicinal plant species that have been integral to the traditional healthcare systems of its rural and tribal communities for centuries. This study presents findings from a structured ethnobotanical survey conducted across Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana during 2025–2026, aimed at documenting medicinal plant species, recording indigenous knowledge on their therapeutic uses and preparation methods, and assessing current cultivation and production status. A total of 40 informants — comprising traditional vaidyas, elderly farmers, and herbal practitioners — were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Forty-two medicinal plant species belonging to 28 families were documented. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (48%), followed by roots (22%), bark (15%), seeds (10%), and latex (5%). Decoctions, pastes, and juice extracts were the most common forms of preparation. A strong inverse correlation was observed between informant age and depth of medicinal plant knowledge, highlighting the urgent intergenerational erosion of traditional knowledge. The findings underscore the critical need for systematic documentation, in-situ conservation, and policy integration of ethnobotanical knowledge in Haryana.
Keywords: ethnobotany, medicinal plants, Haryana, traditional knowledge, vaidyas, biodiversity, indigenous medicine, conservation