Phytosocialogical and ethnomedicinal studies of sacred groves in konjikuppam village, cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

The konjikuppam village lies on the state highway linking panruti (5 km south) and Neyveli (10 km north). The sacred grove of konjikuppam is also situated on the main read and is proximate to the village. A large bond of about 3 ha. Size lies behind the temple complex and cannel bringing strong water from the neighboring shallow ferralitic terrain runs into it. An extensive floristic survey of carried out in the sacred groves at monthly intervals between December 2011 and October 2012. Specimen flowering plants were collected and identified taxonomically with the help of different floras. Nine plots were established in three different disturbance areas within the sacred groves and it is divided into three site I. Disturbances, II. Moderately disturbance III. Undisturbance. Present study revealed that a total number of 110 plants belonging to 96 genera and 45 families were recorded from three sites (I. Disturbed, II. Moderately Disturbed, III. Undisturbed) of konjikuppam sacred groves Cuddalore district. The present study revealed that more number of species found in undisturbed site III and least number and density in disturbed site I. a total of 24 plants used in herbal preparations. The local health traditions provide immediate and cheaper remedy or relief to the poor and down trodden inhabiting the villages. The devastation of species diversity in the study area there is an urgent need for regeneration of the species for conservation of species and biodiversity.


INTRODUCTION
Biodiversity studies have been carried out in different plant communities from plains to the hilltops.There are various plant communities that exist as sacred groves distributed throughout India, which are seen as relict of the ancient vegetation, generally rich in plant diversity (Harikrishnan Nair et al., 1997) the protected refugia of the natural ecosystem in a given region have exited as sacred groves in many societies all over the world.The groves are small patches of vegetation types that were traditionally protected and managed by the local communities, through a wide range of management practices (Gadgil and Vartak, 1976).
In India 13,720 sacred groves have been identified in various parts of India the sacred groves are the representative of climax vegetation and exhibit the diversity of species such as trees, climbers, epiphytes and other shade loving herbs (Bhandary and Chandrasekar, 2003).manypeople have described sacred groves in different ways.However, thare is an evident fact that wherever sacred groves exited, because of indigenous traditional socities has spiritual relationship with the exiting physical environment.The role of sacred groves in the conservation of biodiversity has long been recognized (Gadgil and Vartak, 1976;Osambi, 1962;Haridasan and Rao, 1985; Khan et al, 199;Ramanujam and Kadamban, 2001;Ramanujam and Pravin Kumar Cyril, 2003;Nadanakunjidam and Kamashi, 2003;Nadanakunjidam and Abirami, 2005;Nadanakunjidam, 2006) Vartak and Gadgil have traced this historical link of the sacred groves to the agricultural, hunting and gathering societies (Vartak et al., 1973) Folk medical practitioners are called Nattu Vaidhyans in South India, or Vaidu or Amchi in others.A social dimension also has emerged.Nowadays, people look forward to a long term cure without side effects rather than a short term relief accompanied by lots of illeffects.Traditional medical systems may be a slow science but the west is gradually turning towards the natural systems of cure and care.The present study enlists the species composition of three sacred groves and importance of traditional medicinal plants in Konjikuppam Village, Cuddalore District.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Konjikuppam village lies on the state highway linking Panruti (5 km south) and Neyveli (10 km North).There are 125 households with a population of ca.500 people.The sacred grove of Konjikuppam is also situated on the main road and is proximate to the village.It measures 4.5 ha.The terrain is gently undulating and the temple complex is situated on the south-east corner down the slope.A large bond of about 3 ha.
An extensive floristic survey was carried out in the sacred groves at monthly intervals between December 2011 and October 2012.The sacred groves and it is divided into three sites 1. Disturbed, 2. Moderately disturbed, 3. Undisturbed.In each forest type three 50m x 50m plots were randomly setup.Each plot was subdivided into four 25m x25m quadrate for easy sampling.

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International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 32

1. Vegetation analysis
The vegetation data were analyzed for relative frequency, relative density, and relative dominance.The sum of relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance represented the Importance Value Index (IVI) for various species (Curtis, 1959).
Frequency: Frequency is the number of sampling units (as %) which a particular species occurs.Thus frequency of each species calculated as follows: Density: Density represents the numerical strength of a species in the community.The number of individuals of the species in any unit area is its density.Density gives an idea of degree of competition.It is calculated as follows: The value thus obtained is then expressed as number of individuals per unit area.Abundance: This is the number of individuals of any species per sampling unit of occurrence.It is calculated as follows: Since most of the stems are cylindrical, the basal area was calculated by using the formula: Basal area = Where, = 3.14 and 'r' is the radius of the stem at the point of emergence.

Relative frequency:
The dispersion of species in relation to that of all the species is termed as relative frequency of a species.

Relative density:
The proportion of density of a species to that of stand as a whole is referred to as relative density.

Relative abundance:
Importance value Index (IVI) is the sum of quantities of relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance expressed per 300.

Species diversity:
Species diversity is the ratio between the number of species and importance value or number or biomass or productivity and it was calculated using the formula given by Margalef (1968); H′ = -?(ni/N) 1n (ni/N) Where, H' = Shannon index of general diversity; Ni = importance value index of species i; N = importance value index of the community.
Dominance index: the dominants are the plants by virtue of their abundance, growth performance and dry matter production and become conspicuous in a community concentration of dominance (C) was calculated by Simpson's index (Simpson, 1949).C = ?(ni/N) 2 Where, C = index of dominance ni and N being same as in the Shannon index of general diversity.
Species richness: Species richness is an indicator of the relative wealth of species in a community (Peet, 1974) and it can be represented by the total number of species in a given community or the number of species per unit area.Species richness was calculated by following formula by (Menhinick, 1964).
Species evenness: species evenness represents distribution of individuals among the species.It sometimes defined as the ratio of observed diversity to maximum diversity (Margalef, 1958).The evenness of equitability was calculated by the formula suggested by the Pielou (1966) as Where S = number of species, n = number of individuals Index of similarity: The interspecific association can be evaluated by association index and also by calculating index of similarity.The index of similarity is utilized to compare two coexisting groups was calculated following Odum (1971) as International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 32

S = 2c/ a+b
Where a = number of species in the sample A; b = number of species in the sample B and c = number of species common to both samples.

Ethnomedicinal studies
The work was carried out adopting the methodology of Jain (1989 and1995).The surveys were spread across seasons so as to get maximum information and also to cross check the information provided by the local informants during the earlier visits.Structured questionnaires, interviews, and participatory observations were used to illicit information from the resource persons using standard methods [Martin, 1995].

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Floristic analyses were carried out in disturbed moderately disturbed, and undisturbed of study area.Through there a grove is located in the main road and is proximate to the village, a major portion of the groves remains undisturbed.Theses groves inhabit 110 plant species belonging to 96 genera and 48 families (Table 1).
Tree species richness varied according to the disturbance gradient in the different stands.Consolidated data of phytosociological studies are given in .Tree species richness (number of species) was higher in site III (26 species) followed by Site II (17 species) and Site I (9 species).Site III stand was found to have greater density (83 no/ha), diversity index (0.254), basal area (13.311m 2 /ha) and species richness (1.566).However, dominance index (0.267) and evenness index (2.154)were recorded in site I stand.Number of species (species), basal area (4.565 m 2 /ha), density (19 no/ha), species richness (0.863) and diversity index (1.103)were found to be least in site I stand.The highest tree species diversity was recorded in the sites III, II stands and lowest in site I stand.
Dominance calculated as the IVI of different species varied greatly indifferent stands.The IVI of trees in the study area is given in (Table -4) Greater number of tree species (26) was recorded in site I stand followed by site II stand (17), whereas least number of species (9) was seen in site I stand.Albizia amara in site I, II and III stands and Mimusops elengi and Madhuca longifolia in site I stand and Lepisanthes tetraphylla and Tricalysia apiocarpa in site III were found as the dominant tree species, whereas Ficus racemosa in site I stand were the least dominant in terms of IVI.

1. Seedlings
In seedling population higher in number of species (22), species diversity index (2.209) was observed in site III stand.Evenness index (2.247) in site II stand and dominance index (0.324) in site I stand was found to be greater.However, density (630/ha) basal area (1.301m 2 /ha), diversity index (1.048), and evenness index (2.021) in site I stand were least.
International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 32 Greater number of seedling species (22) was recorded in site III stand was followed by site II and I. Seedlings of Albizia amara, Chloroxylon swietenia were seen in three sites whereas the seedlings of Diospyros montana, Tricalysia apiocarpa, Premna tomentosa were found in single sites.

2. Saplings
Among the sapling populations number of species (11), basal area (8.050m 2 /ha), diversity index (2.150) and species richness (2.157) in site III stand were found to be greater.However, the density (190), and evenness index (2.183) in site II stand and dominance index (0.430) in site I stand were greater.Number of species (2) in site I stand was the least.Density (120/ha), basal area (2.356m 2 /ha) and species richness (0.800), diversity index (0.958) and evenness index (2.007) in site I stand, and dominance index (0.104) in site III, were the least (Table -5).Compared with IVI, Lepisanthes tetraphylla shows greater (51.42) and least in Ficus racemosa (1.75)

Shrubs
Among the shrub populations number of species (18), diversity index (2.307),species richness (1.336), eveness index (2.250) in site III stand were greater.However, the dominance index (0.159) in site I stand and basal area (2.213m 2 /ha)) were found to be higher.In site I stand basal area (1.057 m2/ha) were found to be least (Table -5).Higher number of shrubs species (18) was recorded in site III and followed by I and II stands.Least number of shrubs species (6) was found in site I stand.Cassia auriculata Clausena dentata, Glycosmis mauritiana, Memecylon umbellatum, Mimosa intsia were found in all study sites, whereas Catunaregam spinosa, Grewia hirsuta, Opuntia dilleni and Tragia plukeneti were found in single sites.Compared with IVI, Glycosmis mauritiana shows greater (52.32) and least in Cissus quadrangularis (0.38) (Table-2).

Snake bite Flower
The powder prepared from 5gm of flower is taken orally along with hot water three times a day for three days

Snake bite Root
Dried roots are powdered and about 10g powder is given with 100 ml of human urine as an antidote for snake bite.

3.
Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson Wounds Leaves Leaf powder is mixed with coconut oil and applied topically to heal wounds (burns).

Whole plant
About 20 ml of plant juice is used for 3-4 days twice daily, with a pinch of salt to treat whooping cough

Bone fracture Leaves
Leaf paste is mixed with the powdered black gram, crushed onion and white yolk of one egg and the mixture is applied topically over the fractured bones.

Capparis brevispina L.
Migraine Shoot Decoction of young branches is taken to cure migraine.

Syphilis Roots
Roots are ground together with 21 black peppers and the powder is taken with watere daily for getting relief in syphilis 8.

Leaf, seed
Leaves and seeds are ground into paste and made into pills.Three pills are given orally with lime water for 3 days.

9.
Cissampelos pariera L. Fever, Headache Shoot 5-10 ml juice of aerial part is taken orally twice a day before meals.

10.
Clausena dentata (Willd.)M.Roem Wounds Leaves Paste of leaves is applied over the affected area.

Ear ache Root
Root is pounded with garlic, mixed with castor oil, boiled and juice is squeezed; about 3 drops applied in the ear to treat ear ache. 12.

Chloroxylon swietenia DC. Diabetes Gum
About 100 ml gum powder mixed with water is given for about one month for the treatment of diabetes.

Excess bleeding
Whole plant 2-3 tablespoons of fresh plant juice is recommended for 2-3 days to check bleeding during pregnancy

White discharge Leaves
Juice of leaf is taken orally to prevent white discharge in women.Tiliacora acuminata (Lamk.)Miers ex Hook.f.& Thoms.

Constipatio n Stem
About 100g pieces of stem are powdered and one teaspoonful is given with warm water twice a day after meals for two weeks to treat constipation

CONCLUSIONS
There are about 24 species used by local communities of Konjikuppam recorded by using structured questionnaire.Although the same species used to treat the same ailment in various parts of Tamilnadu but the mode of preparation and administration is vary.(Table .6)during each field survey, they consented orally to document and publish the results for the study of society.After initial reconnaissance survey of the area in and discussions with the local people, a total of 15 resource persons, comprising of 10 males and 5 females were identified.These are locally referred to as vaidyas and perform the duties of medicinal practitioner.Information on the habitat of the plant, local name of plant, plant part used for curing, method of dosage and administration were recorded.
The Konjikuppam (4.5 ha species) representing 96 genera and 48 families there were 32 trees species, 24 shrubs, 56 hers.The konji plant Glycomis mauritiana was the dominant species followed by Albizia amara and Tricalysia sphaerocarpa.theShannon index was 1.72 and eveness of 0.65 heavy undergrowth separately interrupted by trees characterizes the vegetation.The study has confirmed the existence of ecological and medical traditions and documented untapped, useful and valuable information from a tiny tot on the Coromandel ocast of India dominated by a communties.A treasure trove of knowledge awaits the feature researchers as there are 4635 ethnic communities spread over India landscape.
On the otherhand, eventhough the plants somewhat disappeared and also affected due to the Thanae cyclone hitted especially in Cuddalore district on December 30.Due to the devastation of species diversity in the study area there is an urgent need for regeneration of the species for conservation of and their biodiversity.

International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 32Table 1 .
5).The density of Acanthaceae, Rutaceae, and Capparidaceae in site III stand were higher, whereas the density of Cactaceae and Lythraceae in site I stand, Nyctaginaceae in site II stand and Solanaceae and Violaceae in site III stand were having least density.Compared with IVI, Ageratum conyzoides shows greater (16.65) and least in Vernonia cinerea (0.55).List of species encountered at three sites of konjikuppam sacred groves.

Table 2 .
Phytosociological analysis of Shrubs in Konjikuppam sacred grove.

Table 3 .
Phytosociological analysis of Herbs in Konjikuppam sacred grove.

Table 4 .
Phytosociological analysis of Trees in Konjikuppam sacred grove.

Table 5 .
Consoldidate Details of Phytosocialogical Analysis of the Sacred Groves in Konjikuppam Village Cuddalore District.

Table 6 .
Particulars regarding the Ethnomedicinal plants in the sacred grove, Konjikuppam, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.