Traditional Knowledge System Based GIS Mapping of Antimalarial Plants: Spatial Distribution Analysis

Abstract

The native communities have been using their unique traditional knowledge system (TKS), culture, indigenous skills and expertise since the ancient times. India has witnessed its legacy from the time of Charaka & Susruta for TKS of medicinal plants. The objective of the study is to carry out inter-disciplinary work by integrating ethno-medicinal findings with Geographical Information System (GIS) tools to develop spatio-temporal maps covering antimalarial plants prevalent in three rural districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Two sources Flora Gorakhpurensis & Flora of Upper Gangetic Plains have been considered to evaluate all possible antimalarials prevalent in the study region and are cross validated with research papers and journals. GPS coordinates were recorded for marked locations and under GIS environment maps of antimalarials are generated to highlight geographical distribution of such plants. Further, these are analysed with respect to various natural plant habitats. 48 plants belonging to 25 families were found and its geographical distribution is illustrated through series of GIS maps. The developed map highlights the geographical location of antimalarial plants and facilitates easy access of plant’s natural habitat. It is believed that the work would help researchers to find out the novel antimalarials towards open source drug discovery projects.