Utilisation of mangrove forests in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, Orissa

Fifty one mangrove plant species and its associates were collected from Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, Kendrapara district, Orissa. Among those plants, Rhizophoraceae members were recorded maximum in number (9 species) followed by Meliaceae (4), and Caesalpiniaceae (4). The inhabitants of the surrounding areas depend on the mangrove forests for their daily needs like food, timber, fuelwood, medicine and other traditional products. The paper provides field information on traditional products and medicinal uses of 51 taxa of mangrove plants recorded through interviews of local people of the sanctuary areas. Species are arranged alphabetically providing plant name, family, local name, parts used, habitat and uses.