LIVING WITH PLANTS: TRIBAL WISDOM OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Documentation of traditional plant knowledge is essential for understanding the relationship between people and biodiversity. Ethnobotanical books that combine scientific identification with indigenous knowledge serve as an important means of preserving cultural heritage while making this knowledge accessible to a wider audience. Such works not only document the uses of plants but also highlight the deep connections between local communities and their natural environment.

Arunachal Pradesh is one of India's richest regions in terms of both biological and cultural diversity. Home to numerous indigenous communities, each possessing distinct traditions and extensive knowledge of wild and cultivated plants, the state represents an invaluable repository of ethnobotanical heritage. However, much of this knowledge continues to be transmitted orally and remains inadequately documented. Although several ethnobotanical studies have been published from different parts of the state, there has been no comprehensive pictorial guide presenting this wealth of traditional plant knowledge in an accessible format.

Living with Plants: The Tribal Wisdom of Arunachal Pradesh is an attempt to bridge this gap. The book documents 311 plant species through approximately 870 photographs, bringing together scientific identity, local names, and traditional uses in a single pictorial guide. Compiled from extensive fieldwork across Arunachal Pradesh and interactions with knowledge holders from different tribal communities, it aims to preserve, celebrate, and disseminate the remarkable plant wisdom that has been nurtured over generations. We hope this guide will serve researchers, students, nature enthusiasts, and the tribal communities themselves, while encouraging greater appreciation and conservation of both the region's botanical diversity and its rich traditional knowledge.