Socio-Demographic Distribution of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Ethnomedicinal Applications and Traditional Healing Practices by Forest Tribes of Polo Forest (Vijaynagar), Gujarat, India

The Polo Forest, a lush dry deciduous ecosystem located in the Vijaynagar Taluka of Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, serves as a critical reservoir of both biological and cultural diversity. This study presents a systematic documentation of 124 ethnobotanical records, aiming to preserve this vanishing knowledge and provide a scientific foundation for future pharmacological exploration. The research focuses on three core dimensions: the socio-demographic distribution of knowledge, the taxonomic identification of medicinal species, and the technical specificities of traditional healing practices. The data collection was conducted through a cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey carried out between January and February 2025 across nine key tribal settlements. A total of 117 unique informants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques to ensure the inclusion of recognized traditional healers as well as elder community members. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and "walk-in-the-woods" methods, where informants identified plants in their natural habitats. Each record was meticulously documented with local vernacular names and perceived therapeutic uses. The botanical identity of the species was confirmed using the Flora of Gujarat State and cross-referenced with standard taxonomic databases. A primary objective of this study was to analyze how traditional knowledge is distributed across the demographic spectrum. Of the 117 informants: 52.1% were female and 47.9% were male, indicating a remarkably equitable distribution of ethnobotanical knowledge between genders. While men often possessed more knowledge regarding timber and high-canopy forest species, women demonstrated superior expertise in medicinal herbs used for maternal health and child care. Age-wise analysis revealed a significant concentration of knowledge in the middle-aged and elderly cohorts. The 46–60 age group contributed the highest number of informants (39). Crucially, the presence of 37 informants in the 18–30 age category is a promising indicator of intergenerational knowledge transfer. The study identified 124 medicinal interactions involving 118 unique plant species belonging to 56 distinct botanical families. In terms of growth forms, the Polo Forest tribes show a heavy reliance on Trees, which account for 86.3% of the medicinal inventory. The use of leaves is ecologically significant as it allows for sustainable harvesting. Preparation methods include Decoctions for internal ailments, Pastes for skin infections, and Direct Application of fresh juices for wounds. This study provides a comprehensive documentation of the ethnobotanical heritage of the Polo Forest tribes. The results demonstrate that TEK is a functional and equitable knowledge system. However, the reliance on an aging population underscores the vulnerability of this oral tradition.