Ethonomedical uses of plants among forest dependent people’s of Uttarakhand

About 90 NTFP species belonging to 47 families of different life forms were recorded from the present study. The NTFPs were reported to be used for different quotidian uses with homogeneity of knowledge was found maximum for handicraft (ICF: 0.79), medicinal use (0.72), food (0.67) and perfumes/cosmetics (0.66). The fidelity value (FL) of 100 % was expressed by plant used for construction materials and maximum value was calculated for Quercus leucotrichophora (0.83) which is chiefly used for fodder purpose and that reveals direct pressure on the forest; followed by Rhododendron arboreum (0.47) as its leaves are feeded as fodder and flowers are harvested for beverages and natural colour and Arundinaria falcata (0.45) is used for fodder. The local communities are strongly dependent on NTFPs to fulfill their basic needs of food, fodder, shelter, storage articles and other quotidian needs. Most of the requirements are met from nearby forests than from agriculture thus enhancing the pressure on the forest. The work also sumarrizes the new recorded information of exotic plants viz., Rosa damascena mill L.: Rosmarinus officinalis L. for livelihood improvement.