2015, Vol. 3, Issue 5, Part A

author(s)
Jasmine Kaur, Savita Rani, Gajendra Singh, Neelu SoodJasmine Kaur, Savita Rani, Gajendra Singh, Neelu Sood

abstract
Conservation of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is fast emerging as a global need. Plants have been protected via different rituals, beliefs and superstitions since ancient times. Along with such social and religious activities, medicinal plants are being explored and screened constantly for their efficacious therapeutic use. Present survey was aimed to identify the target community in our society which is consistent carrier of traditional knowledge. Field survey to study denudation of TK and diffusion pattern was undertaken. On the basis of allocated scores, PCTK (Persons Carrying Traditional Knowledge) strength was evaluated. Based on person to person survey, an alarming decline in ethnomedicinal knowledge in respect of the number of uses and PCTK % score was observed. In the present study, Calotropis procera plant which is known to be well integrated to our cultural inheritance showed higher PCTK score strength as compared to Thevetia peruviana which is weakly integrated to rural folks in socio-cultural practices in Rohtak district of Haryana.