Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Indigenous Tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with Special Reference to the Nicobarese

ABSTRACT This study documents the ethnobotanical knowledge of the Nicobarese tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, with particular emphasis on medicinal plant use and associated cultural practices. Field surveys were conducted in selected Nicobarese villages using semi‑structured interviews, guided discussions and participant observation involving traditional knowledge practitioners (TKPs) and elderly community members. A total of 50 plant species belonging to 30 families were recorded for medicinal, nutritional, ritual and utilitarian purposes. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part, and remedies were commonly prepared as decoctions, pastes, infusions and poultices. Frequently cited species included Morinda citrifolia, Centella asiatica, Phyllanthus emblica and Ocimum tenuiflorum, which are used to treat ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders, skin infections, respiratory problems and metabolic conditions. Several plant species also play important roles in food security, housing materials and ritual practices, highlighting the close relationship between the Nicobarese community and their natural environment. However, traditional knowledge is increasingly threatened by environmental change, modernization and declining intergenerational transmission. Systematic documentation and community‑based conservation strategies are therefore essential to preserve this ethnobotanical heritage and support the sustainable use of plant resources in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.