2008-'09 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual Report 2008-09
conducted to develop effective participatory management in the study area. An advanced
training programme on bamboo handicraft was organised to enhance their income. A
training programme on honey collection was also organised. A society of tribals to
undertake bamboo handicraft was formed as part of the project. KFRI and URAVU
jointly met the Forest Department to get funds for forestry operation. The Forest
Department received funds from National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme
(NREGP) which was used to generate employment in the forestry sector. Because of this,
the employment conditions improved. Since the income from non-forestry sources showed
an increasing trend, the income from the collection of NTFPs showed a decreasing trend,
indicating that there was only less collection of NTFPs. The income received from NTFP
collection was very low because the tribals preferred other gainful jobs.
Evaluation of Saraca asoca, Kaempferia rotunda, their substitutes and medicinal
preparations with respect to phytochemical and biological properties
The experimental plants, Kingiodendron pinnatum, Cynometra travancorica, Cynometra beddomei
and Humboldtia brunonis were collected from from Wyanad, Humboldtia vahliana and
Lagenandra toxicaria from Vazhachal, Lagenandra ovata from Pandimotta, Kaempferia rotunda
from Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Kottakkal and Saraca asoca from the medicinal
plants garden of KFRI. Bark and leaf samples were dried and powdered and were
extracted successively using various solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone
and methanol. Phytochemical study included comparative analysis of secondary metabolites
such as polyphenols, flavanoids and terpenoids between Saraca asoca and its substitutes,
Kaempferia rotunda and its substitutes. In biological studies, antioxidant and anti-inflamatory
assays were carried out.
Cyanometra travancorica Kingiodendron pinnatum Saraca asoca
Kerala Forest Research Institute
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