Traditional ecological knowledge and medicinal plant diversity usage among the Mullu Kuruman tribes of Wayanad district of Kerala, India and its implications for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate change

Abstract

Mullu Kuruman tribes majorly reside in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India. Their dietary practices and food systems are deeply intertwined with wild and underutilised plants, but modern interventions and globalisation have altered them. Therefore, understanding their traditional ecological knowledge regarding the plants used for food and medicine is important for biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of the resources. This study, therefore, explores traditional ecological knowledge of the diversity of wild plant use among 125 respondents from the Mullu Kuruman tribe. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews in Malayalam during household visits and walks in gardens and forests. This study documents 111 plant species across 85 genera and 42 botanical families. Most of these plants were used for food (66.66 %), while 26.13 % were used for medicinal purposes. Bambusa bambos recorded the highest Use Report (281), Cultural Importance Index (2.248), Relative Importance Index (1), Use Value (2.248), and Cultural Value Index (1.327). This study shows the rich diversity of the plants used by the Mullu Kurumans, which is important for their food security and resilience. The agroecological diversity of climate-resilient crops such as Eleusine coracana, Panicum sumatrense, and Sorghum bicolor is suitable for dryland agriculture. Leafy vegetables such as Alternanthera sessilis, and Basella rubra, and fruits such as Artocarpus incisus, Canavalia brasiliensis and Ziziphus oenopolia which are rich in minerals and vitamins can enhance their health and well-being. Using carbohydrate-rich plants such as Dioscorea spp., Amorphophallus paeonifoliius, and Colacasia esculenta contributes to their food security. These insights are crucial for sustainable species use and conservation. This and similar studies from other parts of the world offer new insights into the use of local agro-ecological diversity of plants by the tribal communities to deal with climate change and food security challenges.