1. Introduction

From the origin, men are facing various diseases and escape from these diseases using various plants. Plants have been the first tool in the arsenal for this purpose since the prehistoric period and man has tried to conquer them (Chattopadhyay, 1866). Plants are considered as a source of novel pharmaceutical products and inexpensive raw material for the synthesis of some known drugs (Choudhary and Mallya, 2019; Kanjikar, 2019; Ahmad et al., 2018), as they have thousands of active secondary metabolites (Benzineb et al., 2019). In the modern era antibiotics and steroid drugs have been used broadly to prevent diseases. But these antibiotics and steroid drugs have many side effects and they decrease immunity. So, science last few decades herb-based treatment again became  popular and even the western world, who claim credit for discovering wonder drugs for treatments are reverting towards the plant-based system of treatment (Chattopadhyay, 1866). India is a pioneer and Veda is the only literature related to this knowledge. Atharvavada is the fourth and last Veda of Hindu literature deals with Ayurveda. So, Atharvaveda is also called the ‘Bhaishajjyaveda’ because its hymns represents Ayurveda of Vedic periods and the name Atharvan is almost synonymous with bheshaja i.e. medicine. Atharvaveda gives a detailed classification of plant drugs based on their colour, growth, properties, origin and form. It is mentioned that water must be given in the first place, next come plants. Atharvaveda has mentioned a large number of plants for alleviating the diseases. Materia medica of Atharvaveda includes materials from the plant kingdom, animal products, minerals etc. Altogether more than 150 plants have been found as a reference in Atharvaveda and their medicinal usages have also been described (Prasad, 2000). Every plant has been described in the Sanskrit language. All plants have not been yet identified. Some plants have been identified.

 In this research article only 26 Vedic medicinal plants have been identified and its medicinal value with Vedic reference, ecological value and ecological status have been discussed. The Coastal belt of Midnapore District represents 27% of West Bengal of the coastal tract (60 KM) extending along with the West Bank of Hooghly estuary from New Digha and then curving around Junput, Dadanpatrabar, Khejuri and Haldia on the east to the further north east up to Tamluk or even on the bank of Rupnarayan (Mandal et al., 2013). The coastal line is geographically located between 21˚30' N to 22˚ 02 ' N latitude and 87˚ 20 ' E to 88 ˚05 ' E. The species available there are playing a crucial function in defending the coast from erosion and flooding (Desai, 2000). In the Midnapore coast line a tremendous feature is coastal sand dune which protects from high tide and tsunami behind it and also it makes a peculiar type of vegetation of its own. In past, these sand dunes were covered by various types of herbs and shrubs and these dunes were the playground of Kapalic (saint of black magic) who had the great knowledge of plant-based medicinal treatment (Mishra, 2016). So, it is clear that in past sand dunes of Medinipur coastal belt was rich in medicinal plants. But due to anthropogenic activities this species richness has been greatly damaged in present canaries. Sand dunes of Purba Medinipur are found in Ramnagar-I, Ramnagar-II, Contai-I, Despran and Khejuri-II block. Sand dunes carry identical vegetation and this vegetation has a great role in ethno-medicine, socio-economy and soil binding. Coastal sand dunes over sea shore are the natural structures that protect the coastal environment by absorbing energy from wind, tide, and wave action (Corre Jean-Jacqes, 1991). The change of ecosystem is farther intensified and aggravated  due to several erosion of the coast, caused by gradual denudation and catastrophic events likes tidal bores, storms, cyclones etc as noted in some place (Chakraborty, 1991).  

In coastal belt loss of biodiversity is increasing day by day due to anthropogenic activities. The coastal belt of Medinipur is a good place for tourism and fisheries. Digha, Sankarpur, Tajkur, Mandarmoni, Bankiput, Junput, Hijli and Khejuri are famous places for tourism. Unconscious people to the environment are destroying biodiversity. Great loss of red crab is great example of it. Except for Ramnagar –I in every block coastal vegetation is destroyed by fisheries development.  Fisheries are raising an economically profitable business nowadays. For prawn fisheries big ponds are excavated and biodiversity is facing dangerous conditions. Plants diversity of Nandigram-I is greatly destroyed by fisheries.  

2. STUDY AREA

The study area is stretched from Udaypur (Ramnagar-I) to Kendiamary (Nandigram-I) throughout the coastal area of Medinipur. The study area covers six blocks of Purba Medinipur district. Every sampling point of six blocks with their geographical coordination has been tabulated below (Table-1).

Table - 1: Geographical locations of study areas

Continuation of table-1............

3. MATERIALS AND METHOD

To construct this research article various methods have been applied. A continuous and minute field study was done. For sampling 3-4 points were selected in each block. From 2016 to 2018 in every season the field study was done. At the time of sampling due attention was paid carefully. Some plants were collected for herbarium sheet for further study. Quadrate technique (1x1 m²) was applied for plant sampling. For detection of geographical coordination eTrex10 (GARMIN) GPS instrument was applied. For details and further study and documentation each plant’s photography was taken by Nikon Coolpix L120 camera.   

4. RESULTS

Medicinal value: In the study area a total 26 Vedic medicinal plants in 16 families were identified. The Vedic name, scientific name, usages of plants and Vedic reference was tabulated in table - 2 and family-wise distribution was tabulated in table - 3. Some medicinal plants have been recorded in Atharvaveda but medicinal usages have not been identified till now. So, medicinal usages of these plants have been described by literary review and referred to as newly added (NA). In family Fabaceae five medicinal plants, under family Poaceae five medicinal plants, in Moraceae three medicinal plants and in other family single medicinal plant each were included. In 26 plants Ficus religiosa L. or Aswath or Peepal which is a common plants throughout Medinipur coastal belt  was the second most described and referred plant of Veda, the first being Soma. Species richness was calculated using Simpson’s equation. Simpson’s Index (D), Simpson’s Index of Diversity (1-D) and Simpson’s reciprocal Index (1/D) were calculated block-wise.

D=n(n-1)N(N-1)

n = the total number of organisms of a particular species

N = the total number of organisms of all species 

Table 2: Vedic medicinal plants in Purba Medinipur coastal belt

Continuation of table-2............

Table -3: Family-wise distribution of plants

Ecological value: Ecological value of the 26 medicinal plants was studied. Most part of Medinipur coastal belt is sand dune area. These 26 identified plants have a great role in sand dune stabilization and soil formation. Some of them are the primary successor and some of them are secondary successor. Vegetation on sand dune prevents soil erosion and scarp formation. Cynodon dactylon is a pioneer successor on the sand dune. Its massive networking system of the root has a tremendous soil binding capacity. Saccharum munja is also a primary successor on the sand dune and also helps to the formation of sand dune making obstruction of sand wind. Mainly herbaceous plants are the primary successor on the sand dune and shrubs and trees are the secondary successor on the sand dune. On fore dune or young dune mainly herbs are grown and on the old sand dune or stable sand dune shrubs and trees are grown. On sand dune firstly herbs colonize secondly shrubs come and finally trees are established and dunes became permanently stabled. Organic matter of plants (i.e. leaf, bark, branch etc.) mixes the hummus with sand. Vegetation on the dune is also a natural home of fauna. Vegetation has played a prominent role in the formation of sand dune. Sand wind flow is obstructed by the barrier of vegetation and sand grains are deposited and sand dunes are formed. On the other hand, the sand dune is the natural sea dike-like structure that prevents from high tide and tsunami and protect livelihood behind it. Vegetation on sand dune also protests the cyclone and saves the life of coastal belt. But sand dune has a reveres impact, due to tsunami or high tide; if salt water is entered inland, it is difficult to channel out and then it causes large destruction of crops and livelihood. The primary successor and secondary successor on sand dune have been listed in tables - 4 and 5.  

Table - 4: Primary successor on the sand dune

 [PS - Primary Successor]

Table - 5: Secondary successor on the sand dune

Continuation of table – 5...................

 [SS – Secondary Successor]

Ecological status: Ecological status means species richness, existence and survival capacity of listed 26 Vedic medicinal plant species. The coastal line of Medinipur district is a good place for tourism and fisheries. Due to tourism and fishery business, the biodiversity of coastal areas has been destructed greatly. With the destruction of vegetation on the sand dune the dune morphology is being destructed and the erosion of sand dune is happening day by day. The hotel business is going on for a long time. Large luxurious hotels are being built destroying natural vegetation. Destroying the endemic flora fishery business for prawn is spreading very quickly due to profitable business. Also the coastal line of the Purba Medinipur district is a very charming place for picnic and tour. So, due to these activities various species are destroying. Fishing harbour of Digha Mohana, Sankarpur, Soula, Junput and Dariapur is also destroying natural vegetation. Block wish species richness is calculated in table - 5. In six studied blocks Nandigram-I shows very poor species richness due to massively growing prawn fishery business by the west bank of Hoogly River.  

Table - 6: Block wise species richness

5. CONCLUSION:

Medinipur coastal line is the golden treasury of various medicinal plants. In the study area, 26 Vedic medicinal plants have been identified. Plant-based medicinal treatment system or Ayurveda is part of Atharvaveda which is a materia medica of ancient India. In the ancient age, Ayurveda was flourished in this area but now due to globalization, the knowledge of herbal medicine has been abolished. Knowledge of herbal medicine is alive in the race of various tribal communities. But in Medinipur coastal belt there is no remarkable tribal community. Gradually popularity of this treatment procedure has been declined and the value of medicinal plants has been reduced. Due to over population, reduction of knowledge of the medicinal value of herbs, growing fishery business for prawn, the fishing harbour, tourism, picnic, hotel business, destruction of the sand dune, open grazing and lack of conservational measures medicinal plants are abolishing. But it is proven in the western world that the allopathic medicinal treatment has various side effects and plant-based medicinal treatment has fewer side effects on the human body. So, it is time to rethink about our ancient grate Ayurvedic medicinal treatment. Conservational methods of flora, fauna and sand dune should be taken immediately to protect our surrounding environment and our next generation. Low species richness Nandigram-I, Contai-I and Deshpran block is an anxious cause to us because only plants can play a big role to protect our environment, prevent cyclone and high tide and protest soil erosion. There should be more consciousness about the medicinal plant, large scale research on Vedic medicinal plants and knowledge, conservational measures of coastal belt and flora for our better future.   

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

I am grateful to my parents and my beloved teacher Prof. Amal Kumar Mandal, Professor of Botany & Forestry, Vidyasagar University for being an inspiration and continuous help of moral and ethical support and subjective support and Dr. Debdular Banerjee, Associate Professor of Botany & Forestry,  Vidyasagar University for continuous help to construct this paper. Also, I thank all research scholars of our Plant Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Taxonomy laboratory for support to continue this research during the field study.

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