Is it possible that plants have shaped the very trajectory of human cultures? Our past and our future are deeply intertwined with plants. Creating massive sea craft from plants, indigenous shipwrights spurred the navigation of the world's oceans. Today, indigenous agricultural innovations continue to feed, clothe, and heal the world's population. One out of four prescription drugs, for example, were discovered from plants used by traditional healers. Objects as common as baskets for winnowing or wooden boxes to store feathers were ornamented with traditional designs demonstrating the human ability to understand our environment and to perceive the cosmos. Throughout the world, the human body has been used as the ultimate canvas for plant-based adornment as well as indelible design using tattoo inks.
Dr. Vikram R. Kakulte is working as Head, Department of Zoology in Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj's K.R.T. Arts, B.H. Commerce and A.M. Science (K.T.H.M.) College, Gangapur Road, Nashik 422002. He has completed his Ph.D. degree in Zoology from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad and has more than 29 years of teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has published 14 Indian patents, 1 Australian patent and 1 U.S. patent. He has written 12 Reference books and 18 text books of undergraduate level. Dr. Kakulte has also written several scientific articles leading in marathi newspapers and magazines. He has published more than 25 research paper in national and international journals and presented research papers in various conferences and seminars. Priya R. Sonawani is working at Department of Biotechnology, G. E. Society's, RNC Arts JDB Comm. and NSC Sci. College, Nashik road with 17 years of teaching experience. She did M.Sc in Microbiology from Dept. Of Microbiology, SPPU, Pune, SET (Life Sciences) and M. Phil (Envt. sci.) and currently pursuing Ph. D. Her research interests range from Envt. Sciences, Ind. Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology, Plant science and Immunology. She attended many National and international seminars, conferences and published many research papers in different National and International journals and a reference book on 'Essential Immunology'. Recently she received a Patent of design and working on the second one. The present book writing is her new attempt prompted by the desire to help the students in their quest of knowledge in addition to teaching.
Preface Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter 2 Ethnobotanical Study: Basic Concepts Chapter 3 Ethnobotany as a Discipline Chapter 4 Different Areas of Study Chapter 5 Primordial Culture Chapter 6 Divisions of Ethnobotany Chapter 7 Ethnobotany and Education Chapter 8 Traditional Knowledge of Adi Tribe Chapter 9 Environmental Conservation and Ethnobotany Chapter 10 Ethnobotanical Uses of Plant Biodiversity Chapter 11 Traditions of Nature Conservation Chapter 12 Aspects of Traditional Medicine Chapter 13 Ethnobotanical Evidence on Traditional Medicines Bibliography Index