ETHNOBOTANICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE MANDI ETHNIC COMMUNITY IN BANGLADESH

The present ethnobotanical investigation has been carried out into the Mandi ethnic communities of 32 villages of seven upazillas of Dhaka and Sylhet Divisions in Bangladesh. A total of 109 plant species belonging to 59 plant families were found to be used by the communities to treat 38 common human diseases, in ethnoveterinary practices, for pest control, as food, and also to perform rituals, taboos and hunting. Introduction In the present world, traditional botanical knowledge and ethnobotanical research are playing an important role in biological investigation, economy and practical uses. In addition, this knowledge and experience of different ethnic groups can play a vital role in the identification, conservation and use of various plant resources including the wild and uncultivated. In Bangladesh, there are many marginalized ethnic communities of different lifestyle and culture. They use surrounding plants for their primary healthcare along with other necessities, which are based on their traditional knowledge and dynamic cultural heritage. Preliminary work of Hassan and Khan (1986) in ethnobotanical research is regarded as pioneer endeavour in Bangladesh. Since then, Mia and Huq (1988), Alam (1992), Alam et al. (1996), Uddin et al. (2001), Khan et al. (2002), Partha (2002), Partha and Hossain (2002) and Yusuf et al. (2006) have also made significant contribution to our understanding of enthnobotany in Bangladesh. Most of these studies, however, focused on tribal communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with some surveys on the tribes in the Sylhet region. An initial survey was conducted by Khan (1998) on Mandi (Garo) tribe inhabiting Madhupur and Haluaghat in the districts of Tangail and Mymensingh, respectively. In the nearby Indian State of Meghalaya, Rao (1981) documented the medicinal plants used by the Khasi and Garo communities. Rao and Shampru (1997) later on listed 78 plant species used by Garos of Meghalaya for food (30), medicine (24), fish poison (5), fiber (6), dye (3), miscellaneous (10) and from magico-religious beliefs. Corresponding author. E-mail: animistbangla@yahoo.com Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh. 130 PARTHA AND HOSSAIN Our current understanding of the enthnobotany of Mandi community of Bangladesh is very limited. The present investigation, therefore, gives an opportunity to explore the inter-relationships between plants, human beings, environment, ecology and traditional knowledge and culture of the Mandi ethnic community in 32 villages of two divisions in central-north and north-eastern Bangladesh. Materials and Methods Mandi ethnic community: Mandi is the largest marginalized ethnic community in the Dhaka Division of Bangladesh. Total Mandi population in Bangladesh is about 64,280 (Bangladesh Population Census of 1991). Mandis are generally known as 'Garo', but they call themselves 'Mandi'. In their 'A`tchik' dialect 'Mandi' means ‘human being’. Study area: The present investigation was carried out between December 2000 and May 2002 into the Mandi ethnic communities of 32 different villages of Sunamganj Sadar and Tahirpur Upazillas (Sunamganj District) of Sylhet Division; and Durgapur and Kalmakanda Upazillas (Netrokona District), Nalitabari Upazilla (Sherpur District), Haluaghat and Dhubaura Upazillas (Mymensingh District) and Madhupur Upazilla (Tangail District) of Dhaka Division. Information collection: The ethnobotanical information was collected by ‘participant observations’, from focus group discussions, and interviewing local people and local medicine men who prescribe their own herbal preparations. For ethnobotanical research, ‘participant observation’ is given more preference. For this participant observation, a researcher has to live with the ethnic people for a long time. But owing to limited scope and allocated time for the present ethnobotanical survey, the first author could only spend few trips to the specified areas and stay for a short while with the informants. However, the present endeavour was initiated far back in 1997 through repeated visits to various ethnic areas and making friendship with the ethnic communities. Although visits had been made since 1997, much time was spent from December 2000 to May 2002 for the present ethnobotanical investigation reported in this communication. In their every social and cultural activities and festivals, both physical and mental participation was made during the period of the survey. The first author also participated in their ‘jhumming’ (shifting cultivation) and other household works. The women were also interviewed at the time of cooking and collecting vegetables and fruits from the ‘jhum-jungle’, and the information and processes were documented. The ethnic medicine men were interviewed individually in the forests where they pointed out the herbs that they use to cure different ailments. Information was also gathered from the medicine men using two separate questionnaires. ETHNOBOTANICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE MANDI ETHNIC COMMUNITY 131 Plant material collection: A large number of plant materials were collected during the present survey and were preserved as herbarium sheets. During plant collection and making herbarium specimens, unknown, little known and important plants were given more preference. All the herbarium specimens are preserved in the Jahangirnagar University Herbarium (JUH), Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342. The JUH allows anybody to use these specimens for academic and research purposes. Results and Discussion The plant species documented in the present survey are enumerated in the Table 1 in alphabetic order of their scientific names. These are accompanied by their local names in Mandi language, localities (village and district) and ethnobotanic uses. The medicinal uses of plants listed here are indicative and are not accompanied by doses, therefore the readers are not encouraged to follow them without verification. Most of the Mandi people rely upon surrounding plant wealth for their health-care, food and other life accessories. Present ethnobotanical investigation generated important information that might be useful for health-care programme, economic and agricultural policy development, alternative food programme, development of essential drugs, and biodiversity conservation action plan for Bangladesh. Since limited work has been done in the field of ethnobotanical research in Bangladesh, information of Mandi botanical knowledge documented in this paper is almost new at academic ethnobotanical paradigm. Some specific suggestions are articulated as below. • Before entering into 'new technology' and 'modern medicine', ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge of all ethnic groups of Bangladesh are to be documented with a proper `Free Prior Informed Consent’ way. • The land and natural resource rights of the ethnic people are to be ensured. Antiethnic, anti-ecological development processes like large dams, eco-park or any other infrastructural developments should not be undertaken, which destroy life, livelihoods, resources and ethnobotanical practices. • Ethnic people's traditional knowledge and culture is to be conserved with active help of proper policy framework. Eco-friendly policy and laws are to be formulated for conservation of medicinal and economic plant species. Successful enactment of the draft 'Biodiversity and Community Knowledge Protection Act, 1998' could be a good example in this regard. Table 1. Plants used by the Mandi ethnic communities of Dhaka and Sylhet Divisions. Sl. No. Scientific name Family Mandi name Location (Village, District) Use 1. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet. Malvaceae Ha-nijang-zalek Thanarbaid, Tangail Leaf and root paste is used for migraine pain. 2. Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Mimang-khachi Menkifanda, Netrokona Root juice is used treating worms and inflammation in urinary tract. 3. Acorus calamus L. Araceae Phachi, Chisik Sagordighi, Netrokona Leaf juice is used for children in "Baw-batasi" (any physical change caused by evil spirits) disease. 4. Adhatoda vasica Nees Acanthaceae Alok-bizak Narayantala, Sunamganj Decoction of twig is used in cough and cold. 5. Agaricus campestris L. Agaricaceae Na-phang Sagordighi, Netrokona Plant juice and edible mushroom are used to cure menstruation problem. 6. Aloe vera L. (Syn. A. barbadensis Mill.) Liliaceae Dip-thi-kanchon Ranikhong, Netrokona Leaves are cut into small pieces and soaked in water, the extract mixed with sugar is used for liver complications and to remove tiredness. 7. Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Kuriakanta, Kulelhara Farongpara & Menkifanda, Netrokona Slightly warm root paste is applied locally on boils. Whole plant paste is used as ointment for rheumatic pain. See also Benincasa hispida. 8. Amorphophallus bulbifer (Roxb.) Bl. Araceae Chung-muru, Baghadumm Ranikhong, Netrokona Used as vegetables. 9. Andrographis paniculata Nees Acanthaceae Gumkhah-sum Hagurakuri, Tangail Leaf juice is used for fever and pain. 10. Aristolochia indica L. Aristolochiaceae Chong-khengsum Thanarbaid, Tangail Leaf and tuber paste is used as ointment in burning. (Contd.)


Introduction
In the present world, traditional botanical knowledge and ethnobotanical research are playing an important role in biological investigation, economy and practical uses.In addition, this knowledge and experience of different ethnic groups can play a vital role in the identification, conservation and use of various plant resources including the wild and uncultivated.In Bangladesh, there are many marginalized ethnic communities of different lifestyle and culture.They use surrounding plants for their primary healthcare along with other necessities, which are based on their traditional knowledge and dynamic cultural heritage.
Preliminary work of Hassan and Khan (1986) in ethnobotanical research is regarded as pioneer endeavour in Bangladesh.Since then, Mia and Huq (1988), Alam (1992), Alam et al. (1996), Uddin et al. (2001), Khan et al. (2002), Partha (2002), Partha and Hossain (2002) and Yusuf et al. (2006) have also made significant contribution to our understanding of enthnobotany in Bangladesh.Most of these studies, however, focused on tribal communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with some surveys on the tribes in the Sylhet region.
An initial survey was conducted by Khan (1998) on Mandi (Garo) tribe inhabiting Madhupur and Haluaghat in the districts of Tangail and Mymensingh, respectively.In the nearby Indian State of Meghalaya, Rao (1981) documented the medicinal plants used by the Khasi and Garo communities.Rao and Shampru (1997) later on listed 78 plant species used by Garos of Meghalaya for food (30), medicine (24), fish poison (5), fiber (6), dye (3), miscellaneous (10) and from magico-religious beliefs.
Our current understanding of the enthnobotany of Mandi community of Bangladesh is very limited.The present investigation, therefore, gives an opportunity to explore the inter-relationships between plants, human beings, environment, ecology and traditional knowledge and culture of the Mandi ethnic community in 32 villages of two divisions in central-north and north-eastern Bangladesh.

Materials and Methods
Mandi ethnic community: Mandi is the largest marginalized ethnic community in the Dhaka Division of Bangladesh.Total Mandi population in Bangladesh is about 64,280 (Bangladesh Population Census of 1991).Mandis are generally known as 'Garo', but they call themselves 'Mandi'.In their 'A`tchik' dialect 'Mandi' means 'human being'.Information collection: The ethnobotanical information was collected by 'participant observations', from focus group discussions, and interviewing local people and local medicine men who prescribe their own herbal preparations.
For ethnobotanical research, 'participant observation' is given more preference.For this participant observation, a researcher has to live with the ethnic people for a long time.But owing to limited scope and allocated time for the present ethnobotanical survey, the first author could only spend few trips to the specified areas and stay for a short while with the informants.However, the present endeavour was initiated far back in 1997 through repeated visits to various ethnic areas and making friendship with the ethnic communities.Although visits had been made since 1997, much time was spent from December 2000 to May 2002 for the present ethnobotanical investigation reported in this communication.In their every social and cultural activities and festivals, both physical and mental participation was made during the period of the survey.
The first author also participated in their 'jhumming' (shifting cultivation) and other household works.The women were also interviewed at the time of cooking and collecting vegetables and fruits from the 'jhum-jungle', and the information and processes were documented.
The ethnic medicine men were interviewed individually in the forests where they pointed out the herbs that they use to cure different ailments.Information was also gathered from the medicine men using two separate questionnaires.

Plant material collection:
A large number of plant materials were collected during the present survey and were preserved as herbarium sheets.During plant collection and making herbarium specimens, unknown, little known and important plants were given more preference.All the herbarium specimens are preserved in the Jahangirnagar University Herbarium (JUH), Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342.The JUH allows anybody to use these specimens for academic and research purposes.

Results and Discussion
The plant species documented in the present survey are enumerated in the Table 1 in alphabetic order of their scientific names.These are accompanied by their local names in Mandi language, localities (village and district) and ethnobotanic uses.The medicinal uses of plants listed here are indicative and are not accompanied by doses, therefore the readers are not encouraged to follow them without verification.
Most of the Mandi people rely upon surrounding plant wealth for their health-care, food and other life accessories.Present ethnobotanical investigation generated important information that might be useful for health-care programme, economic and agricultural policy development, alternative food programme, development of essential drugs, and biodiversity conservation action plan for Bangladesh.Since limited work has been done in the field of ethnobotanical research in Bangladesh, information of Mandi botanical knowledge documented in this paper is almost new at academic ethnobotanical paradigm.Some specific suggestions are articulated as below.
• Before entering into 'new technology' and 'modern medicine', ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge of all ethnic groups of Bangladesh are to be documented with a proper `Free Prior Informed Consent' way.
• The land and natural resource rights of the ethnic people are to be ensured.Antiethnic, anti-ecological development processes like large dams, eco-park or any other infrastructural developments should not be undertaken, which destroy life, livelihoods, resources and ethnobotanical practices.
• Ethnic people's traditional knowledge and culture is to be conserved with active help of proper policy framework.Eco-friendly policy and laws are to be formulated for conservation of medicinal and economic plant species.Successful enactment of the draft 'Biodiversity and Community Knowledge Protection Act, 1998' could be a good example in this regard.Leaves are cut into small pieces and soaked in water, the extract mixed with sugar is used for liver complications and to remove tiredness.

Farongpara & Menkifanda, Netrokona
Slightly warm root paste is applied locally on boils.Whole plant paste is used as ointment for rheumatic pain.See also Benincasa hispida.

Aristolochia indica L. Aristolochiaceae Chong-khengsum Thanarbaid, Tangail
Leaf and tuber paste is used as ointment in burning.
(Contd.)Leaf and root cut into small pieces and soaked in water for 4-5 hrs.The mucilaginous extract is used for increasing sperm count.Leaf paste is used for treating fractured bones.

Menkifanda, Netrokona
Inflorescence and root paste is used in insect and snake bites.

Lygodiaceae Royatoop Menkifanda, Netrokona
Rhizome stalk paste is mixed with sugar and used in gonorrhoea.

71.
Manihot esculenta Crantz.Euphorbiaceae Tha-bol-chu Sagordighi, Netrokona; Thanarbaid, Tangail One of the main crops in Mandi areas.Tuber paste is used in preparation of fermenting medium "Chumanti" (traditional yeast cake) for traditional liquor "Chu".Dried leaf and stem are burnt and the ash ("Khar") is used in cooking instead of oil.

Menkifanda, Netrokona
Whole plant paste is soaked in hot water and is used for treating toothache.(Contd.)
• Rights of every ethnic group (including the Intellectual Property Rights) to use traditionally used plant species for their own usage is to be ensured under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).• Active participation of the ethnic people in making decisions and formulating laws and state policies for ethnic people is to be ensured.
• All the medicinal, edible, economic and other threatened plants mentioned in this investigation can only be conserved through traditional knowledge and culture, which stated community-based conservation.All plant species are to be protected in situ with the co-operation of the ethnic and local people and of the Forest Department of the country.

Table 1 . Plants used by the Mandi ethnic communities of Dhaka and Sylhet Divisions.
Plant juice and edible mushroom are used to cure menstruation problem.6.Aloe vera L. (Syn. A. barbadensis Mill.)LiliaceaeDip-thi-kanchon Ranikhong, Netrokona