ECONOMIC, EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL POTENTIAL OF TINOSPORACORDIFOLIA FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF WATERSHED RISSA-KHAD, DISTRICT MANDI OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Abstract

Tinosporacordifolia (Willd.) Miers is known by its local name gulje and common name giloye in watershed Rissa-khad. Gulje has tremendous indigenous uses and closely intermingled with socio-economic tradition of local people. It is an excellent source of food, fodder, medicine and income. All the parts of plants viz leaf, stem and aerial roots are edible, medicinal and useful for people. A local sweet dishes HALWA and SIRRA is prepared from extract of stem and aerial roots of gulje. SIRRA is considered medicinal and believed that it should be eaten once in a year for good health. Gulje flour and SIRRA are marketed and can increase the income of people. Other indigenous uses of guljeare it is used as a fodder and tying material. Focused study on economic, edible and medicinal potential of plant at species level is very poorly attempted and has not been done earlier on Tinosporacordifolia in watershed Rissa-khad. So present study has been done on economic, edible and medicinal potential of Tinosporacordifolia and its role in socio-economic development of watershed Rissa-khad of Distt. Mandi Himachal Pradesh.