International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278 - 3202 1 4 2012 08 10 Dye Yielding Plants of the Garhwal Himalaya, India: A Case Study 69 72 EN Swaminathan C. 1 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai – 625 104, TN, INDIA VijendraRaoR. 2 Wood Properties and Uses division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru – 560 003, Karnataka, INDIA Shashikala S. 3 Masih Usha 1 Department of Botany, Mata Jija Bai Govt. Girls P.G. College, Indore, MP, INDIA ShrimaliRagini 2 Department of Microbiology, I.K. Science College Indore, MP, INDIA Naqvi S.M.A 3 Department of Botany, I. K. Science College Indore, MP, INDIA Mehta Jitendra 1 Microbiology and Pathology Division, Vital Biotech Research Institute, University of Kota, Kota- 324009, Rajasthan, INDIA DhakerJayraj Kiran 2 Kavia Ambika 3 Sen Priya 4 KaushalNeha 5 Datta Sakshi 6 QuadrosGoldin 1 B.N. Bandodkar College of Science, Chendani, Thane 400601, Maharashtra, INDIA Athalye R.P. 2 álim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatti Post, Coimbatore 641108, Tamil Nadu, INDIA Philippe Sessou 1 Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée (LARBA), Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BENIN Souaïbou Farougou 2 Laboratoire d’Etude et de Recherche en Chimie Appliquée (LERCA), Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), Cotonou, BENIN Guy Alitonou 3 Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Biotechnologie Alimentaire, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques (FSA), Cotonou, BENIN Sébastien Djenontin Tindo 4 Boniface Yèhouénou 5 Paulin Azokpota 6 Issaka Youssao 7 Dominique Sohounhloué 8 SaralaThambavaniD. 1 Department of Chemistry, Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women (Autonomous), Madurai-625, INDIA Sabitha M.A. 2 Department of Chemistry, J.A. College for Women (Autonomous), Periyakulam-625 601, INDIA IllathSujina 1 * Department of Chemistry, Karpagam University, Coimbatore-641 021, INDIA Subban Ravi 2 PekGeok Pang 1 Faculty of Agro Based Industry, University Malaysia Kelantan (Jeli campus), Beg Berkunci No. 100, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, MALAYSIA Asrul Af 2 Faculty of Earth science, University Malaysia Kelantan (Jeli campus), Beg Berkunci No. 100, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, MALAYSIA i 3 Faculty of Agro Based Industry, University Malaysia Kelantan (Jeli campus), Beg Berkunci No. 100, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, MALAYSIA RahmanShefiqur 4 ShahaRanajit kumar 5 Bhalerao S.N. 1 B.R. Gholap College, Sangvi, Pune, MS, INDIA RokadeKedarB. 1 JJT University, Vidyanagari, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, INDIA MaliGajanan V. 2 Bharati Vidyapeeth’s M.B.S.K. Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Kadegaon, Dist. Sangli, MS, INDIA Leslie V.A. 1 Madras Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Chennai 600 028, INDIA MargaretMuthuRathinamA. 2 Department of Microbiology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai 600 006, INDIA Balasingh Anusha 3 DangwalL.R. 1 Herbarium and Plant Systematic Lab., H.N.B. Garhwal Central University, S.R.T. Campus, Badshahithaul, Tehri Garhwal, INDIA Singh Am 2 eep 3 Sharma Antima 1 Herbarium and Plant Systematic Laboratory, Department of Botany, H.N.B. Garhwal Central University, Tehri Garhwal, INDIA DangwalL.R. 2 Govt. P.G. College, New Tehri, Uttarakhand, INDIA Dangwal Mukta 3 > Short Communication 2012 7 1 2012 08 10 Indians have been considered as forerunners in the art of natural dyeing. Natural dyes find use in the coloring of textiles, drugs, cosmetics, etc. Owing to their nontoxic effects, they are also used for coloring various food products. Although indigenous knowledge system has been practiced over the years in the past, the use of natural dyes has diminished over generations due to lack of documentation. Also there is not much information available on databases of either dye-yielding plants or their products. The present paper is based on the extensive survey, collection of ethno-botanical information and review of relevant literature on the dye yielding resources of the Garhwal Himalaya. The study reports on 46 dye yielding plants belonging to 33 families, along with their vernacular names, habit, parts used, nature of dye and distribution. The aim of the present study has been to investigate the availability of natural dye-yielding plant species in the study area and gather information on traditional knowledge system associated with extraction and use of natural dyes by the villagers. Organic dyeing not only helps preserve the traditional art of weaving and design, but also provides employment and yields economic and ecological benefits. It also describes the preparation of dyeing stuffs, use of mordant and specific dye utilization to serve various purposes, including of new dye resources. Copyright@ International Science Community Association