Ethnobotanical study of villages from Shahapur taluka of Thane district, (Maharashtra)

The tribal people from Shahapur taluka still depend on folk medicine and household remedies. Data on such knowledge and practice are largely lacking in written communication and require exploration.

Shahapur, the study area, is situated at 19.45° North Latitude and 73.33° East Longitude, in the northern portion of the Konkan region. Shahapur Taluka comprises major tribes, viz., Thakur, Katkari (Kathodi), Warli, Mahadev Koli, and several ethnic groups like Kunbi, Agri, Mahar, and Chambhar, that have been engaged in conservation practices.

The current study is the outcome of a systematic and scientific ethnobotanical investigation undertaken in Shahapur Taluka, Thane District, between June 2018 and February 2020. Observations were made during the current study to identify the Shahapur Taluka's medicinal plants which the tribal people utilize to treat a variety of human and animal ailments. A total of 61 plants belonging to 36 different families of angiosperms are utilized by the tribes or traditional communities for ethnobotanical purposes. Some species of plants are frequently used for both human and veterinary purposes. At least 16 plants (26%) are used exclusively for veterinary ailments and feed for livestock.