Ethnobotanical Studies of the Plant Used by the Tribals of Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study presents result of an ethnobotanical exploratory surveymade during 2003-08 on the plants diversity and their uses by the four tribes Bwam, Marma, Murang and Tanchangya in Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh. The study revealed that 339 plant species are used by above tribes for different purposes. These species were classified on the basis of habit, habitat and use pattern. Based on habit 41.5% were herbs (including creepers and ferns), 17.4% under-shrubs, 25% shrubs, 7.6% trees and 8.5% were climbers. Habitat diversity revealed that 28.28% plants grow in hill slopes, 28.51% along streams, 12.72% along roadsides, 11.62% in shifting cultivation (jhums), 7.04% in scrub forests, 5.7 % in hilltops, 3.07% in fallow shifting farm lands (jhumS), and 2.63% in homesteads. Diversity in use pattern included medicinal (71.58%), wild food (11.69%), cultivated food (14.83%) and 1.90 % as aromatic, dye and soap yielding plant. Similarity index of plant uses showedthat the Marma tribe uses highest number of plant species (225 species).