Mining activities are an important source of revenue for the development of the nation. However, it creates lots of social and ecological imbalance. The major remarked problem is that the local communities of mining areas losses their Indigenous Traditional Practices. Keeping this in view, an attempt has been made to document the indigenous traditional knowledge on commonly available plants in Koira Range, a mining impacted areas of the Bonai Forest Division, Odisha, India. Twenty nine villages of 4 sections are selected for present survey works. The results revealed that about 63 plants are commonly used by the local communities for different purposes. The practices are documented through present study. The present work will provide a baseline data for conservation strategy and biological activities including value addition of available plant wealth.

Exacum paucisquamum (C. B. Clarke) Klack., so far known only from Western & Eastern Himalayas in India, is reported for the first time from Odisha state. A detailed description of the species, including its phenology, distribution and photographs along with documented associated plants are provided for easy identification in the field. The authors observed it under the leaf litter in moist deciduous forest of Bonai Forest Division, Odisha, India. Therefore, the prevention of forest fire is important to conserve the plants growing associated with leaf litter. The occurrence of E. paucisquamum also indicates the healthy forest of the study areas and further need more exploration works on floral diversity.

Bonai Forest Division is rich in flora and faunal species. The fertile forest-dominated areas provide a good platform for growing wild mushrooms. The locals collect them for food, medicine, and economic purposes. Addressing the economic value of wild mushrooms will provide a platform for value addition and management of forest & wildlife in Bonai Forest Division, Odisha. Considering the importance of wild mushrooms in the day-to-day lives of tribal communities of the division, an attempt has been made to enumerate the mushrooms having economic values. A survey was carried out during 2021-2022 in 7 ranges. 15 wild mushrooms were identified as having economic value. Rugda mushrooms are the most popular of the 15, and can be sold for up to Rs. 1800 per kg. The present study brings attention to the urgent need for value additions to these mushrooms for the sustainable development of the local communities.

Aim: To document the common medicinal plants used by the local tribal communities of mining areas of Barsuan Range, Bonai Forest Division, Odisha, India Background: From ancient times, medicinal plants are playing vital role in human health care systems. Nowadays, medicinal plants are less used by urban &  rural areas but they are still used by tribal communities. From them, the valuable knowledge needs to be documented for future reference, particularly from mining areas where lot of threats are observed on them. Methodology: Keeping the threat and importance of traditional knowledge, an attempt has been made to document the most common medicinal plants of Barsuan Range, Bonai Forest Division, Odisha through field survey using Passport Data Form. Results: A total 50 common plant species were recorded having medicinal values and used by the local communities. Conclusion: In this modern era, the conservation of traditional knowledge is important. The present study highlights the some common medicinal plants of mining impacted areas which could be the raw materials for future herbal formulation and can create livelihood option.

Moths are a group of insects belonging to Class Insecta and Order Lepidoptera. Butterflies are also coming under the Order Lepidoptera and moths can be mistaken as butterflies. Moths and their caterpillars are important food for many species of amphibians, small mammals (such as bats) and many birds. They pollinate flowers while feeding on their nectar, and therefore help in seed production. This includes wild plants, garden plants and food crops. Keeping the importance of moth, an attempt has been made to document the moth diversity of Barsuan Range, Bonai Forest Division, Odisha during 2021-2022. The results revealed that about 31 species of moths were observed. The ecological importance of the available moths is discussed in the present study. The paper highlights the importance of insects in balancing the ecology of Barsuan range, Bonai Forest Division, Odisha, India.