Nature's Pharmacy
The Medicinal Plant Treasures of RIE Bhubaneswar's Urban Campus
Explore the ResearchUrban Biodiversity and Traditional Medicine
In the heart of Bhubaneswar, where concrete structures dominate the landscape, an unexpected green sanctuary thrives—the campus of the Regional Institute of Education (RIE).
This 98.4-acre space represents a remarkable conservation site where traditional healing knowledge and urban biodiversity intersect. Despite being surrounded by rapid urbanization, this campus hosts an impressive array of medicinal plants that have been used for generations in traditional healthcare practices.
The preservation of these botanical treasures offers a fascinating window into how urban environments can serve as crucial reservoirs of biological diversity and cultural heritage, demonstrating that nature's pharmacy persists even in developed areas.
What is Urban Ethnopharmacology?
An Interdisciplinary Field
Urban ethnopharmacology is an emerging scientific discipline that combines elements of anthropology, botany, and pharmacology to study how people use medicinal plants in urban environments 1 .
This field examines the complex relationships between city dwellers and plants, documenting traditional knowledge that persists despite urbanization and modern healthcare availability.
Cultural Significance
The "urban" prefix emphasizes that this research focuses specifically on towns and cities rather than rural or wild environments where ethnopharmacological studies traditionally concentrated.
At its core, urban ethnopharmacology investigates how migration patterns influence the persistence and evolution of traditional plant medicine practices 1 .
The RIE Campus: An Urban Biodiversity Hotspot
98.4 Acres of Urban Wilderness
Established in 1963, the Regional Institute of Education in Bhubaneswar spans approximately 98.4 acres (407,000 square meters) with about 60% of this area remaining as wilderness despite its urban location 3 .
Positioned between 20°12'N to 20°25'N latitude and 85°44'E to 85°55'E longitude, the campus lies on the western fringe of Odisha's coastal plain near the Eastern Ghats 3 .
Ecological Niche
This strategic location provides a unique ecological niche that supports diverse plant life.
Accidental Sanctuary
The campus represents how educational institutions can serve as accidental sanctuaries for biodiversity conservation.
Living Laboratory
This makes it an ideal living laboratory for studying urban medicinal flora and their conservation needs.
Key Findings from the 2018 Biodiversity Study
Quantitative Results
In 2018, researchers documented an impressive 111 plant species belonging to 98 genera across 53 families 3 .
This systematic documentation revealed that the campus hosts both monocot and dicot species, with 10 and 101 species respectively.
Particularly significant was the discovery of species classified as Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET), including Paderia foetida and Saraca asoca 3 .
Dominant Medicinal Plant Families
| Plant Family | Number of Species | Notable Medicinal Species |
|---|---|---|
| Euphorbiaceae | 10 | Various Phyllanthus species |
| Fabaceae | 8 | Saraca asoca (RET listed) |
| Rubiaceae | 5 | Paderia foetida (RET listed) |
| Poaceae | 3 | Various grass species |
Conservation Status
The research identified significant conservation challenges facing urban medicinal plants. Overexploitation and habitat loss were noted as primary threats to several species.
This finding aligns with broader concerns in ethnopharmacology research, which notes that "due to over exploitation and loss of biodiversity, a number of medicinal plants were under serious threat" 3 .
Research Methodology
Scientific Approach
Studying urban medicinal flora requires a multidisciplinary approach combining botanical expertise with anthropological methods. The researchers at RIE Bhubaneswar employed methodology similar to that used in other significant urban ethnopharmacology studies 5 .
Methodological Steps
Seasonal Surveys
Plant collection occurs across different seasons to account for variations in growth, flowering, and fruiting patterns.
Plant Identification
Collected specimens are identified using botanical keys and compared against voucher specimens in herbariums.
Ethnomedicinal Documentation
Researchers extract information on traditional uses from existing literature and cross-validate through interviews.
Data Analysis
The compiled information is analyzed to identify patterns of use, conservation status, and cultural significance.
Traditional Knowledge & Modern Applications
Medicinal Applications
The medicinal plants documented on the RIE campus have extensive traditional applications in treating various health conditions.
For example, plants from the genus Phyllanthus are widely used in traditional medicine for liver disorders, jaundice, and kidney problems 3 . The RET-listed Saraca asoca is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for women's health issues 3 .
This traditional knowledge finds validation in modern scientific research, as many pharmacologically active compounds have been isolated from these plants.
Traditional Uses of Documented Medicinal Plants
| Health Condition | Number of Treating Species | Example Plant Species |
|---|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal disorders | 32 | Various Euphorbiaceae species |
| Skin conditions | 28 | |
| Respiratory ailments | 19 | |
| Fever and inflammation | 17 | |
| Women's health issues | 9 | Saraca asoca (RET listed) |
Saraca asoca
Highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for women's health issues, including menstrual disorders and uterine problems. Classified as RET (Rare, Endangered and Threatened).
Phyllanthus Species
Widely used in traditional medicine for liver disorders, jaundice, and kidney problems. Six species from this genus were documented on campus.
Paderia foetida
A rare medicinal plant with traditional applications. Classified as RET (Rare, Endangered and Threatened) due to habitat loss and overexploitation.
Conservation Challenges & Strategies
Threats to Urban Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants in urban settings like the RIE campus face unique conservation challenges:
Habitat Fragmentation
Isolates plant populations, limiting genetic exchange and reducing resilience to environmental changes.
Anthropogenic Pressures
Including pollution, soil compaction from foot traffic, and unauthorized harvesting further threaten these species 5 .
Overexploitation
Market-demand driven harvesting without concern for regeneration and conservation depletes species 5 .
Conservation Strategies
These challenges necessitate urgent conservation actions including:
Sustainable Cultivation Programs
Developing protocols for cultivating medicinal plants to reduce pressure on wild populations.
Habitat Protection
Implementing measures to protect existing habitats from further degradation and fragmentation.
Sustainable Harvesting Protocols
Establishing guidelines for ethical and sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants.
The RIE Campus Conservation Model
The RIE campus itself represents a conservation model, demonstrating how institutional grounds can be managed to protect biodiversity while supporting education and research. This approach offers hope and a model for other urban institutions seeking to maintain their natural heritage.
Protecting Urban Medicinal Plant Heritage
The medicinal flora of the RIE Bhubaneswar campus offers a fascinating case study in urban biodiversity conservation. The documented 111 medicinal species represent not only biological wealth but also cultural heritage and traditional knowledge that must be preserved for future generations.
As urban expansion continues globally, the preservation of such green spaces becomes increasingly critical for maintaining ecological balance and conserving medicinal plant diversity.
Protecting urban medicinal plants requires collaborative efforts involving educational institutions, government agencies, local communities, and traditional knowledge holders. Through such partnerships, we can develop sustainable approaches to urban biodiversity management that respect traditional knowledge while applying modern scientific understanding.