Assessment of Biodiversity and Ethno-Medicinal Plants in the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Nallamala Forest, Andhra Pradesh of India

Assessment of Biodiversity and Ethno-Medicinal Plants in the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Nallamala Forest, Andhra Pradesh of India

Shaik Sairunnisa Begam , R. VijayKumar , Kokkanti Mallikarjuna

Department of Botany and Microbiology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, A.P, 522510, India

Corresponding Author Email: mallikarjunaanu@gmail.com

DOI : https://doi.org/10.51470/JOD.2025.4.2.112

Abstract

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Introduction

Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem functioning, resilience, and productivity. Forest ecosystems, in particular, harbor a vast variety of species that contribute to ecological balance, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. High biodiversity ensures ecological stability and provides goods such as timber, fodder, fruits, resins, and medicinal resources, which support both wildlife and human communities [1-2]. Tropical and dry deciduous forests of India are recognized as repositories of genetic resources, making their conservation vital for sustainable development and human well-being [3].

Ethnobotany, the study of the relationship between people and plants, plays a crucial role in understanding how indigenous and local communities use forest resources for food, medicine, and cultural practices [4]. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is passed down through generations and continues to form the basis of healthcare for rural and tribal populations in India [5]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 80% of the population in developing countries relies on traditional medicine derived largely from plants for their primary healthcare needs (WHO, 2002). In Andhra Pradesh, particularly among tribal communities inhabiting the Eastern Ghats and Nallamala forests, medicinal plants form an integral part of primary healthcare practices [6].

The Nallamala Forest, part of the Eastern Ghats, is one of the largest contiguous dry deciduous forests in southern India, extending across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Ecologically, it is home to rich biodiversity, including endangered species such as the tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) and several endemic flora species [7]. The region is dominated byteak (Tectona grandis) and mixed deciduous forests, supporting medicinally important plants like Terminalia chebula, Phyllanthus emblica, Rauvolfia serpentina, and Gymnema sylvestre [8]. Culturally, the forest is inhabited by tribal communities such as the Chenchus, Yerukulas and Lambadas who are heavily dependent on forest resources for food, medicine, and livelihood [9]. These communities have accumulated rich traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, making the Nallamala forests not only ecologically but also ethnobotanically significant.

While several studies have been conducted on the flora and ethno-medicinal knowledge of the Nallamala forests [10-12], there remains a significant gap in localized assessments, particularly in the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Andhra Pradesh. This area, despite being ecologically rich and culturally important, has received limited scientific attention compared to core areas of Nallamala such as Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar. The Durgi Section, with its unique microclimatic conditions and tribal settlements, may harbor undocumented medicinal plant diversity and traditional knowledge that is at risk of erosion due to modernization, habitat degradation, and declining intergenerational transfer of knowledge. Therefore, an “Assessment of Biodiversity and Ethno-Medicinal Plants in the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Nallamala Forest, Andhra Pradesh” is essential to plant diversity systematically. Record ethnomedicinal practices of local communities. Contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization strategies. Preserve indigenous knowledge systems before they are lost.

Biodiversity, encompassing the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, represents the foundation of ecosystem functioning and human survival [13]. Forest ecosystems, in particular, harbor a significant portion of global biodiversity and play a vital role in regulating ecological balance, sustaining livelihoods, and supporting cultural traditions [14]. Among these, tropical forests such as the Nallamala forest region of Andhra Pradesh are hotspots of both floral and faunal diversity, as well as centers of ethnobotanical knowledge preserved through indigenous communities.

The Nallamala forest, a prominent segment of the Eastern Ghats, extends across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is characterized by dry deciduous and mixed forest types with patches of scrub vegetation [15]. It forms part of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), one of the largest tiger reserves in India, which also serves as a repository of medicinal plants and non-timber forest products. The Durgi Section of the Macherla Range represents an ecologically sensitive zone within this forest landscape, supporting a mosaic of species that are ecologically, economically, and culturally significant.

Ethno-medicinal plants constitute an integral part of traditional healthcare systems, particularly in rural and tribal regions where modern healthcare access is limited. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 80% of the population in developing countries relies on plant-based medicines for primary healthcare (WHO, 2002). India, recognized as one of the twelve mega-biodiversity countries, harbors more than 7,500 medicinal plant species, of which many are concentrated in forest ecosystems [16]. In Andhra Pradesh, several indigenous communities such as the Chenchus, Yanadis, and Lambadas possess rich traditional knowledge about the use of local flora for treating ailments ranging from common fevers to chronic diseases [17].

Biodiversity and ethno-medicinal resources face multiple threats, including deforestation, habitat degradation, over-exploitation, climate change, and loss of indigenous knowledge [18]. The Nallamala forests, though relatively undisturbed compared to other regions, are increasingly exposed to pressures from developmental activities, fuelwood collection, grazing, and agricultural encroachments. Documenting biodiversity and ethno-medicinal plant knowledge from micro-sites such as the Durgi Sectionis therefore crucial for devising conservation strategies, sustainable utilization, and integration of indigenous knowledge into modern healthcare practices. Ecological data with ethnobotanical insights, this study seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, and preservation of indigenous cultural heritage in Andhra Pradesh. The present study, entitled “Assessment of Biodiversity and Ethno-Medicinal Plants in the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Nallamala Forest, Andhra Pradesh,” aims to: Assess the floral diversity and vegetation composition of the study area and analyze the ethnomedicinal uses of plants practiced by local and tribal communities.

Study Area

Regional setting. The Durgi Section lies within the Macherla Forest Range on the south-eastern flanks of the Nallamala Hills (Eastern Ghats), adjoining the Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Palnadu (formerly Guntur) district, Andhra Pradesh. The Nallamalas run north–south between the Krishna and Pennar rivers; their northern margin abuts the Palnadu basin, where Macherla and Durgi are located.

Durgi (nearest settlement/section HQ): ~16.4259° N, 79.5404° E, Macherla (range HQ town): ~16.4760° N, 79.4394° E.  The study plots should fall within the reserved forest beats of the Durgi Section inside the broader Nallamala landscape described above. (Exact beat boundaries are administrative and not publicly mapped.)

Topography and geology

• The Nallamala Hills are an old, deeply weathered block of the Eastern Ghats with elevations typically ~200–1,100 m (avg. ~520 m), peaking near Bhairani Konda (~1,100 m) and GundlaBrahmeswara (~1,048 m). Terrain is dissected, with cuestas and plateaus giving way to narrow valleys draining toward the Gundlakamma and Krishna systems.
• Bedrock belongs chiefly to the Cuddapah (Kadapa) and Kurnool groups—quartzites, shales/siltstones, and sandstones—forming the structural and edaphic template for the forest.

Climate

• Thermal regime. Warm–hot through most of the year; nearby Markapur/Nallamala localities experience peak pre-monsoon highs in April–May (~40–41 °C; average May highs ~40–41 °C) and mildest conditions in Dec–Jan (highs ~28–29 °C).
• Rainfall. Rain is monsoonal, concentrated in SW monsoon (Jun–Sep) with supplemental rains from NE monsoon (Oct–Nov); typical annual totals across the Nallamala–Markapur belt are ~700–1,000 mm (diverse local estimates: ~800–1,300 mm depending on station and period).
• Local climate type (Durgi):BSh (hot semi-arid).

Soils: Along the Nallamala foothills and basins (Palnadu/Prakasam belt), the dominant soils include red loams, red sandy loams, black cotton soils, with red calcareous variants toward interior slopes; lateritic patchesoccur in parts of coastal-adjacent districts of the Eastern Ghats.

Vegetation (physiognomy and types): Within NSTR/Nallamala, the matrix is southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest, intergrading locally with Hardwickia (Anjan)–Boswellia woodlands and Deccan thorn scrubon shallow, stony sites. Characteristic trees include Anogeissus latifolia, Cleistanthus collinus, Terminalia spp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrata, Tectona grandis, Albizia spp., among others. Riparian and edaphic grasslands occur in pockets. People and communities: The Chenchu—a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) with deep forest-based livelihoods and rich ethnobotanical knowledge—are indigenous to the Nallamala landscape (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana). Contemporary studies document cultural change, migration pressures, and conservation engagement (e.g., as community protectors in tiger landscapes). Other Scheduled Tribes in the broader region include Yanadi and Yerukula in select districts.

 

Materials and Methods

1. Biodiversity Assessment

a) Sampling Design: To study the floristic diversity, a stratified random sampling method was adopted. The study area (Durgi Section, Macherla Range) was divided into ecological strata (based on vegetation type, elevation, and land use), and within each stratum, quadrats were laid systematically.

• Quadrate Size and Number:

For trees: 20 m × 20 m quadrats,For shrubs: 5 m × 5 m quadrats and For herbs: 1 m × 1 m quadrats and total of 50 quadrats were laid across different vegetation zones.

b) Transect Method: In addition to quadrats, line transects (100 m length, 10 m width) were used to document species occurrence, particularly rare and scattered species in undisturbed forest patches.

c) Species Identification:  All plant specimens were collected, properly pressed, dried, and mounted on herbarium sheets following standard herbarium techniques [19]. Identification was carried out using:

• Regional Floras such as Flora of the Presidency of Madras [20], Flora of Andhra Pradesh [21].
• Verification with local experts and secondary literature.

d) Quantitative Analysis: For biodiversity assessment, the following indices were used:

Relative Density

             Relative density is the numerical strength of a species in relation to the total number of individuals of all the species and was calculated as Relative density (RD).

2. Ethno-Medicinal Documentation

a) Data Collection: Ethno-medicinal data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques with tribal communities (Chenchus, Lambadas, Yerukulas and other local inhabitants) in and around Durgi Section.

• Sample Size: 12 informants ( 4 male, 5 female, 3 traditional healers) in the age group 30–75 years.
• Language: Interviews were conducted in Telugu and local dialects with the help of interpreters when required.
• Ethical Consideration: Prior Informed Consent (PIC) was obtained from all participants as per CBD and Nagoya Protocol guidelines.

b) Questionnaire Format: A structured schedule was used to collect information:

• Local name of the plant.
• Part(s) used (leaf, root, bark, seed, flower, fruit, whole plant).
• Mode of preparation (decoction, paste, infusion, powder, raw use).
• Method of administration (oral, topical, inhalation).
• Ailments treated (digestive, respiratory, skin, musculoskeletal, etc.).

3. Data Analysis

a) Ethno-Medicinal Indices

The collected data were analyzed using quantitative ethnobotanical indices:

• Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) = FC/N,

 Species Richness

A total of 30 plant species belonging to 5 families were recorded from the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Nallamala Forest. These included:

• Trees: 30 species
• Shrubs:16 species
• Herbs: 19species

Families and Genera Distribution

• The dominant families recorded were Fabaceae (26 species), Euphorbiaceae (15 species), Asteraceae (12 species), Rubiaceae (6 species) and Apocynaceae (6 species).

2. Ethno-Medicinal Plants

Number of Species per Ailment Category

below shows that maximum medicinal plants are used in treating digestive and respiratory ailments.

Biodiversity Assessment in the Durgi Section

The present study highlights the rich biodiversity of the Durgi section of the Macherla Range in the Nallamala Forest, documenting a wide variety of trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers. The recorded species diversity aligns with earlier studies conducted in different regions of the Nallamala Forest, such as those by [25-27], which also emphasized the floristic richness and ecological importance of the region. The presence of multiple families, including Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Moraceae, indicates the ecological balance of tropical dry deciduous forests.

When compared to biodiversity surveys in other Indian forests, such as the Eastern Ghats [28] and Western Ghats [29], the Nallamala region shows moderate to high species richness but with a unique representation of endemic species. Importantly, the identification of rare and threatened plants under the IUCN categories further underscores the conservation significance of the Durgi section.

Ethno-Medicinal Knowledge and Traditional Practices

The study also documents the rich repository of ethno-medicinal plants traditionally used by local tribal communities, especially the Chenchus, Lambadas, and other forest-dependent groups. Species such as Azadirachta indica (Neem), Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi), and Gymnema sylvestre (Gudmar) are widely utilized for treating ailments ranging from skin diseases and digestive disorders to respiratory infections and diabetes.

This aligns with findings from [29-30] who reported that more than 60% of local healthcare practices in Nallamala still rely on medicinal plants. Importantly, our documentation of plants and their uses adds to the growing body of ethnobotanical knowledge that may otherwise be lost due to modernization and cultural erosion. The specific ailment categories treated—such as digestive (highest number of species), skin-related, and respiratory diseases—reflect local health priorities and traditional adaptations.

Comparisons with other Studies

In comparison with other biodiversity and ethnobotanical surveys in Eastern Ghats [31] and Western Ghats [32] the Nallamala forests exhibit relatively higher medicinal plant density, likely due to their undisturbed habitat patches and strong cultural heritage of the Chenchus. Moreover, species such as Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Hemidesmus indicus (Indian sarsaparilla), reported in this study, are also listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, thereby strengthening the scientific credibility of local knowledge.

Role of Traditional Knowledge in Sustainable Resource Management

Traditional knowledge plays a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable utilization of biodiversity. Local healers and elders act as custodians of medicinal knowledge, transmitting information orally across generations. Integration of this knowledge with modern conservation practices, as suggested by [33] can enhance sustainable forest governance. For instance, encouraging in-situ conservation through sacred groves and ex-situ cultivation of medicinally important species can reduce harvesting pressures from the wild.

The present study on the Assessment of Biodiversity and Ethno-Medicinal Plants in the Durgi Section of Macherla Range, Nallamala Forest, Andhra Pradesh, highlights the ecological and cultural significance of the region. The findings reveal that the Durgi Section is remarkably rich in biodiversity, hosting a wide array of flora, many of which possess vital ethno-medicinal value utilized by local tribal and rural communities. This richness underlines the importance of the area not only as a biological hotspot but also as a reservoir of indigenous traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

The documentation of ethno-medicinal knowledge in this study plays a crucial role in preserving traditional wisdom that is increasingly threatened by modernization, cultural erosion, and the declining transmission of oral traditions [34-35]. Systematic records of species and their uses can contribute to pharmacological research, validation of herbal remedies, and development of sustainable healthcare alternatives, while also safeguarding community heritage [36-41].

However, the study also brings attention to several conservation challenges such as deforestation, overharvesting of medicinal plants, uncontrolled grazing, forest fires, and habitat degradation, which pose threats to both biodiversity and the cultural landscape of the region [42-49]If unaddressed, these pressures may lead to the loss of rare and endangered plant species, as well as the gradual disappearance of ethnobotanical knowledge.

Conclusion

The Durgi Section of the Macherla Range stands as a unique repository of biodiversity and ethnomedicinal knowledge. The documentation and conservation of these biological and cultural resources are critical not only for the ecological sustainability of the Nallamala forests but also for the preservation of traditional heritage that continues to support the livelihoods and healthcare of indigenous communities.  The community-centered conservation strategies, fostering awareness, and ensuring protection of rare species, the region can serve as a model for sustainable forest and knowledge resource management in India.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I express my sincere gratitude to the Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department, particularly the staff of the Macherla Forest Range, for granting permission to conduct field surveys, facilitating access to forest areas, and extending logistical support during data collection to the Durgi Section.

I am profoundly thankful to the local tribal and rural communities, especially the Chenchus and other inhabitants of the Durgi and surrounding regions, for generously sharing their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. Their ethnobotanical wisdom, preserved through generations, forms the backbone of this study. The respectful interaction and oral communication with local healers and elders provided insights into the sustainable use of forest resources.

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