����������� Ethnobotanical Leaflets 10: 109-112.
2006.
Notes on Traditional Uses of Khair (Acacia
catechu Willd.) by Inhabitants of
K.N. Singh* and Brij Lal
Biodiversity Division
Palampur-176 061(H.P.), India
Issued
6 April 2006
Abstract���������
The article deals
with the importance of Khair (also known as Catechu) in the life of rural and
tribal communities inhabiting Shivalik range in
western
Key words: Traditional Use, Catechu, Shivalik range,
western
Introduction
����������� Acacia
catechu Willd. (Mimosaceae),
locally known as Khair, is a medium sized deciduous
tree with crooked and forked trunk. It is found growing in both natural and
plantation forms in most of the parts of country up to an elevation of 1300m
above mean sea level.
In Himachal Pradesh, catechu is widely distributed in Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Chamba,
Shimla and Bilaspur
districts below 1300 m elevation (Chowdhery and Wadhwa, 1984 and Chauhan, 1999).
Generally, A. catechu� forms
pure patches of Khair forests but it is also
found in association with Acacia modesta, Pinus roxburghii, Mallotus phillipensis,
Dalbergia sissoo,
Zizyphus and other species (Champion
and Seth, 1968).
In
A. catechu
is a multipurpose tree species.� The
heartwood of the tree is mainly used for extracting Katha and Cutch
(decoction obtained after filtration) which are sold in the market. Katha is commonly used in ayurvedic
preparations. Besides this, it serves as one of the major components in masticatory i.e. chewing of betel leaf (pan) in
����������� A. catechu is a valuable bioresources and has been exploited commercially in tannin
and Katha industry for decades (Annon., 1985). Besides its commercial importance, it is equally significant for the people
particularly rural communities living in the vicinity of catechu forests as it
is a subsidiary source of income to them. To a certain extent, these people are
dependent on this plant to fulfill their day to day need of fuel, fodder,
building material and others. This is the reason that catechu has become an
integral part of socio-economic and cultural life of the people inhabiting the Shivalik range.
Though,
information on traditional uses of catechu has been reported earlier by some workers like Kirtikar
and Basu (1975), Jain (1991), Chatterjee
and Pakrashi (1992) and Singh (2000), but,
information on indigenous uses of catechu tree from Shivalik
region has not yet been reported. That is why the present study was undertaken.
Study Area
The present work is confined to Sirmaur
and Solan districts of the state Himachal
Pradesh in western Himalayan region.� The
area comes under Shivalik range, located at 31o11/
- 35o57/ north latitude and 76o52/
- 77o20/ east longitude between the elevation of
500m�1200m amsl.�
Methodology
In order to document Khair associated
traditional knowledge, various field surveys were conducted in Khair
dominating forests in different localities like Nallagarh,
Subathu, and Solan areas of
Solan and Dhaulakauan, Poanta Sahib, Markanda and Nahan� areas of Sirmaur districts. While interacting with rural and tribal
people (Gujjars) during field studies, information
was gathered through interviews following Jain (1989). Observations recorded on
different traditional use are enumerated categorically and the lesser known
uses are marked with an asterisk (*) mark.�
Traditional Use
Medicine
Fuel
Fodder
Building
and Furniture Material
House
Hold Articles
Socio-Religious Beliefs
Masticatory
Fencing
Tanning
Economic Importance
Besides traditional utility, A. catechu is widely utilized commercially for extracting Katha from the
heart wood which costs around US $ 4-6 per kilogram in Indian markets.� Cutch is used as adhesive in plywood industry
and it is also used in preparing polishes and paints.�
Conclusion
From the present study, it is envisaged that A. catechu
has a great socio-economic importance as it is widely used for different
purposes by the natives of Shivalik range.� Besides, traditional and commercial
importance, it has tremendous ecological significance.� Because of its leguminous nature and soil
binding abilities, it could be a suitable species for wasteland development.
Acknowledgement
Authors are
thankful to the Director,
References
Anonymous.
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Champion, H.G. and Seth, S.K. 1968. A
revised survey of the forest types of
Chatterjee, A. and
Chowdhery, H. J. and Wadhwa, B. M. 1984. Flora of Himachal
Pradesh: Analysis. Vol. I-
Jain,� S.K. 1989. Methods and approaches in
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Jain, S.K. 1991. Dictionary
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Publications,
Kirtikar,
K.R. and Basu, B.D. 1975. Indian
medicinal plants, vol. II. Periodical Experts,
Singh, K. N. 2000. Variation studies
on katha content in relation to different forms of khair (Acacia catechu Willd.)
trees. M.Sc. dissertation (unpublished) Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry,