Paper short abstract:

The preset study documents the indigenous knowledge about use of macrophytes of Wetlands in Nadia District, West Bengal (India) and envisages their sustainable use to ensure ecological welfare and economic development of the associated people.

Paper long abstract:

The preset study is an outcome of an ethnobotanical work undertaken since 2006 to document the knowledge of the indigenous communities about use of wetland macrophytes in Nadia district of West Bengal State. As many as 30 species were known to have excellent medicinal properties. Young shoots of two species and leaves of seven species and underground parts of five species are cooked as vegetables. Edible flowers, fruits and seeds are obtainable from one, two and three species, respectively. It was found that excellent fodders, poultry feed and fish feed can be derived from 2 species each. The culm of three species can be woven into mats and encouraging production of compost can be expected from two species and biofertilizer from one species. Piscicidal and insecticidal uses of one species each have also been recorded.The flowers of Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea nouchali are offered in worships and used in ceremonies and festivals. Essential oils and dye are obtained from one species each. Thus, from the foregoing the economic prospect of wetlands macrophytes in Nadia district is quite convincing. All the phytoresources recorded in this work must be ensured protection through their sustainable use.