Ethnobotanical uses of piscicidal plants for fishing by the Bodo Tribes of Kokrajhar, Assam
aN. Basumatary and a*B. K. Khangembam
aDepartment of Zoology, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, Assam-783370 (India) *Corresponding Author email: kbronson173@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Application of piscicidal plants in fishing is an age-old traditional method used by many communities around the world including the Bodo tribes of Assam in Northeast India. These methods are simple, ecofriendly and effective for catching fish or to eradicate unwanted weed fish from a culture system. Proper identification and documentation of these knowledge are important for their preservation and development of novel techniques based on such knowledge. The present study aims to evaluate the ethnobotanical use of plants by the Bodo tribes in Kokrajhar, Assam for fishing. Eight villages in 3 subdivisions of the Kokrajhar district were surveyed during February, 2021 to January, 2022. A total of 9 plants belonging to 7 family and 9 genera were recorded in the study. Three species were recorded from family Fabaceae, while Rubiaceae, Theaceae, Polygonaceae, Moringaceae, Costaceae and Asteraceae recorded 1 species each. The most frequently reported method of application was to grind the plants into a paste and apply directly. Use of piscicidal plants in fishing can be an ecofriendly alternative for harmful synthetic chemicals used in aquaculture. Further studies to identify the active ingredients, optimal dosage and other possible applications are recommended for efficient utilization and commercial exploitation of the identified plants.