“Ethnobotany” by Dr. Dilip Kalita and Dr. Manashi Dutta is a student-focused and research-informed textbook designed for B.Sc. 3rd Semester students opting for Generic Elective (GE) courses under the FYUGP NEP 2020 framework. This book aligns with the Dibrugarh University syllabus, while also serving as a valuable resource for students across Indian universities studying indigenous knowledge systems and plant-human relationships.

Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary science that explores how different cultures, especially indigenous and tribal communities, use and relate to plants. The book covers traditional plant-based practices related to medicine, food, rituals, construction, and ecological management.

? Unit-Wise Breakdown:

UNIT I: Introduction to Ethnobotany (pp. 11–87)

• Concept, objectives, and branches of ethnobotany

• Relevance in modern science and interdisciplinary nature

• Study of tribal communities, their food habits, lifestyle, and use of plants

• Use of plants for food, oil, fiber, resin, and cultural rituals

• Diversity of tribal groups across Indian states

UNIT II: Methodology of Ethnobotanical Studies (pp. 88–107)

• Techniques of fieldwork and data collection

• Importance of herbarium in research and education

• Role of Sanskrit and ancient literature in ethnobotanical documentation

UNIT III: Medico-Ethnobotanical Sources in India (pp. 108–159)

• Historical roots of ethnomedicine: from prehistoric to ancient periods

• Key medicinal plants such as Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Gloriosa superba, Rauvolfia serpentina, etc.

• Contributions of plant species to traditional healing and modern pharmaceuticals

UNIT IV: Ethnobotany as a Tool to Protect Ethnic Interests (pp. 160–168)

• Preservation and documentation of indigenous knowledge

• Empowerment and legal representation of ethnic communities

• Biodiversity conservation and policies for traditional knowledge

• Issues of biopiracy, patent rights, and equitable wealth sharing