biodiversity assessment in some selected hill forests of south orissa

eported earlier in flora of Madras. Coleus barbatus of family Lamiaceae is abundantly occurring in the hill
top. This species is used by the tribals to cure malaria. There are almost 20 species of medicinal plants found
in the hill top are reported to be used for different phototherapeutic claims by the tribal of the region.
DEOMALI (18°40'32"N 82°58'55"E) :
Deomali Peak, with an elevation of about
1,672 m, is the highest peak in Orissa and
the tallest in the whole of the Eastern Ghats.
It is situated near Doodhari village, which is
35 km from Koraput. Surrounded by deep
green forest, the peak is rich in flora and
fauna. This hill range is rich in mineral
resources such as bauxite, limestone and
gemstones. Deomali is dotted with brooks
and deep valleys, and inhabited by tribes
such Kandhas, Parajas, Bhumia, Malis and Bhotras.Though the lower hills have taller trees, the upper ones
are completely devoid of arboreal species.
SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS: Species specific to these hills but not found elsewhere in the state are:
Habenaria grandifloriformis, Emilia zeylanica, Gynuura lycopersicifolia. Healthy population of Piperomia
quadrifolia and Coleus barbatus, a widely used medicinal plant was recorded in the hill top. Similarly Exacum
bicolor, a rare medicinal herb was also growing luxuriantly is another noticeable finding.
PANCHPATMALI (83°1'24"E and 18°51'11"N):
The vegetation of the hill range falls under the category of tropical deciduous forests but depending on the
biotic and abiotic factors, there is occurrence of moist deciduous, moist peninsular sal type and grasslands in