Cultural Research on Samayo (Valeriana jatamansi) for Its Domestication on Terrace Risers and in Community Forest Areas in Dailekh District
  Ram Chandra Bastakoti, Nityananda Khanal, Yam Bahadur Thapa,
Buddhi Mani Ghimire, Kewal Singh Bogati

Samayo (Valeriana jatamansi Jones; Syn. Valeriana wallichi) is a medicinal herb grown wildly as under-storey vegetation in temperate forests. Like many other non-timber forest products, Valeriana jatamansi is taken as forest gift and hence there is neither any control system in its harvest nor is its domestication started for ensuring its sustainable regeneration. In Dailekh district, it is one of the various NTFPs collected and marketed by the local people. Although the economic value of the herb was reportedly unknown to the local people until recent past, the herb has now been widely known for its market potential. Thus, the exploitation of Valeriana jatamansi is in increasing trend leading to its rapid decline from its natural habitat. The present study was attempted to develop technology for its domestication in community forests and private lands within its adaptation niches. Unfortunately, during the second half of the 3-year project term, the field activities were impaired by the insurgency problem and consequently the project had to be terminated before its completion.

The study made use of the review of secondary information, field surveys and experimentation. The process began with the review of literature and consultation with various experts and institutions involved in herbal research, trade and industries. The field activities were embarked with reconnaissance survey followed by participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in the project area in Dailekh district. Building on the information obtained through secondary sources, ethnobotanical knowledge of local farmers and on-site observations, two types of experimentation were conducted separately for seed germination and growth behavior study.
According to the latest estimate, Nepal harbours over 7000 species of the flowering plants, of which 5891 species are well reckoned, and 300 species are considered specifically endemic. Among these are included a tremendously large repository of economic plants. However, the natural treasury of bio-resources of the country is under continuous threat because of the encroachment of their habitats due to forest clearance and other human-induced pressures on forest.

In the light of the problem, the state policy of Nepal has now formally recognized the need to manage the natural resources wisely (Bhattarai, 1995). Under the Forest Act 1993 Article 70, the government of Nepal has notified various restrictions since 12th February 2001. Accordingly, collection, use, sale, distribution, transportation and export of Panch uonle (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), walnut bark (Juglans regia) and Kutaki (Picrorhiza scrophulariflroa) have been banned. Ban is also imposed on 9 medicinal plants including Valeriana jatamansi, Nordostachys grandiflora and rock exude (Shilajit) on export outside the country, except for the processed product with permission of Department of Forest.

Although, the people in Dailekh district were aware of the existence of the Valeriana jatamansi since time immemorial, they realized its economic value quite recently. Before its appreciation as commercial aromatic herb, Valeriana jatamansi was mainly used as forage for livestock. The herb was also reportedly used for perfumery and medicinal purpose. In the past, some people used to blend Valeriana jatamansi with tobacco for scenting purpose. The dried pieces of rhizomes were also used as repellants against stored-grain pests and flies. The local faith healers used to collect the root of this herb on need basis claiming it to have ingredients necessary for certain ailments but they did not disclose the fact for which they used it. The local people believe that baths with the water medicated with the extract of rhizome of Valeriana jatamansi protect from sunburns during summer and rainy seasons, especially for infants. Some even reported that chewing of Valeriana jatamansi rhizome during walk uphill facilitates the watering of mouth and thereby provides for stamina to cope with thirst.

Although the study is incomplete with untimely termination of the project due to intense insurgency in the project area in Dailekh district, it has come up with relevant ethnobotanical and experimental information for the domestication of Valeriana jatamansi as an economic NTFP. The study also established that vegetative propagation with rhizome pieces give rise to more robust plants and transplants establish a better crop than does direct seeding. From the findings of seed germination trial, it can be concluded that there is no pre-conditioning required for the germination of Valeriana jatamansi seed. Vegetative propagation with rhizome cuttings were more effective to produce robust plants and better yields than the planting of seedlings produced from seeds. The survey on the distribution of the herb came up with the fact that it adapts well between 1200m and 2500m altitudes starting from the Katus forest area to Rhododendron forest ranges. The growth behavior study ascertained that vegetative growth of Valeriana jatamansi plant was better in the forests typified by mild shade and high humus content in the soil where soil moisture is not a limiting factor. Thus, non-degraded forests area around 2000m of altitudes with northern orientation of landscape seemed to be better suited for the growth of the herb. The study further showed that terrace risers could also be suitable niches for growing Valeriana jatamansi.

For a successful commercial cultivation of Valeriana jatamansi, further research is needed on the aspect of seed germination procedure. Detail qualitative and quantitative assessments of the performance of sexually and asexually propagated plants is also required for general recommendation to the commercial growers. Other cultural aspects such as time of planting and method of harvesting and post-harvest handling are also the domains of further research.