The importance of forests to protect medicinal plants: a case study of Khadimnagar National Park, Bangladesh

Abstract

The article describes the status, distribution, diversity, and curative values of medicinal plants in Khadimnagar National Park, a protected area in northeastern Bangladesh. A stratified random sampling method was applied for the quantification of plants and we collected information on utilization patterns through direct observation and by interviewing older respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 1684 plants of 50 species (42 families) were recorded to possess curative values. Of the 50 species, 22 trees, 12 shrubs, 10 herbs, and 6 climbers and 6 grass species were found belonging to 17, 10, 9, and 6 families, respectively. The low lands were found most favorable for medicinal plants (40%) followed by middle of the hill (34%). Plants identified within the area were used for the treatment of 69 ailments. For medicinal preparations and treating various ailments, above-ground parts of plants were used more often than below-ground parts. Shannon–Wiener diversity, species diversity, and species richness indices were calculated. Medicinal plants used by the community seemed to be sustainable, but commercial extraction of some valuable species was found unsustainable. This calls for urgent conservation measures by the relevant authorities to maximize the sustainable use of these vital resources in the study area.