Ethnobotanical Studies of Medicinal Plants used by Tribal Communities in Uttar Baster, Chhattisgarh, India

Chhattisgarh is one of the forest rich state of India, with nearly 44% of its geographical area under forest cover. The present investigation focuses on the ethnomedicinal plant diversity of the Uttar Bastar region, particularly the Paralkot area of Kanker district, which forms part of a continuous forest landscape adjoining the Abujhmadh forests. The region represents an ecologically rich yet comparatively unexplored zone of Central India. Ethnomedicinal information was gathered through field surveys, interaction with local tribe communities and interviews with traditional healers. The survey led to the documentation of 50 medicinal plant species belonging to 29 families. Fabaceae showed maximum representation among the recorded families, while herbs constituted the dominant life form. Leaves were identified as the most frequently utilized plant part in traditional remedies. The documented species are commonly used for treating ailments such as fever, dysentery, jaundice, snake bite, kidney disorders, skin infection, digestive problems and their common diseases. Due to limited accessibility to modern healthcare facilities, local communities continue to rely significantly on plant based traditional medicine for primary healthcare needs. The study emphasizes the importance of systematic documentation, conservation and sustainable utilization of ethnomedicinal plant resources.