The study documents plant species used as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and traditional
knowledge on the utilization of these plant resources by Tharu tribes of in and around the Tharu tribal communities
in Kanchanpur district of Nepal. The study was exploratory and participatory in nature. A total of 114 plant species
belonging to 54 families have been identified from the Tharu community areas. Most of them have medicinal
properties in their bark, root and fruits. A large number of these identified plant species are used for gastro-intestinal
problems, rheumatisms, chest infection and fever and typhoid. Medicine from these plant parts is prepared in the
form of juice, paste and powder usually prepared by elder female in the family. Elderly persons and traditional
healers of the areas pose vast knowledge on ethno medicinal practices along with various rituals in comparison of
the young generation. The knowledge transformation system is quite restricted within the family. It is not only
essential to conserve such a wealth of information hidden among the local people but also to apply them to modern
knowledge of science and technology to meet the ever increasing requirement of mankind. Beside this certain NTFP
species like Piper longum, Acorus calamus, Pterocapus marsipium, Terminalia chebula Terminalia bellirica, Aegle
marmelos, Solanum virginium and Rauvolfia serpentine etc. are under threat of being extinct due to growing human
pressure as well as habitat degradation impacted by anthropogenic activities, recent trend of climate change.
[Nabin Raj Joshi and Vishal Singh. Non-Timber Forest Products (Ntfp’s) Uesd By Tharu Tribe Of Kanchanpur
District Of Far-Western Nepal. New York Science Journal 2010;3(11):111-119]. (ISSN: 1554-0200).