Cultural ethnobotany and urban biodiversity in an eco-friendly Rakhi-making initiative in Rajasthan, India

Abstract. Jain V. 2025. Cultural ethnobotany and urban biodiversity in an eco-friendly Rakhi-making initiative in Rajasthan, India. Asian J Ethnobiol 8: 245-257. Festivals are integral to the culturally rich Indian subcontinent. Rakshabandhan (Rakhi), celebrated on Shravani Purnima, is a unique traditional Indian festival symbolizing the bond of trust between siblings, where sisters tie a sacred thread on their brother's wrists. To promote eco-consciousness and the use of sustainable materials in traditional crafts, an eco-friendly Rakhi-making competition was organized in August 2024 by the Department of Botany, Government Meera Girls College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, in which 23 female students (mean age = 20.65 years) participated. An ethnobotanical survey through participant interviews and field observation was conducted to document the plant-based materials used. A total of 53 plants (13 wild and 40 cultivated) belonging to 28 families were employed to prepare various Rakhi by the participants. Among these, 44 Dicotyledon, 8 Monocotyledon, and 1 Gymnosperm plant were observed. Fabaceae was the most represented family, followed by Apocynaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbiaceae. Floral parts were maximally utilized, followed by seeds, leaves, fruits, roots, and stems. The highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was recorded for Vigna radiata (0.35), Oryza sativa and Rosa spp. (0.30 each), indicating easy accessibility of these plant materials. Notably, Platycladus orientalis and Pistacia vera used in this competition are listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red Data List, highlighting the need for conservation efforts. This initiative showcases the creative integration of traditional knowledge and sustainability and suggests that such competitions can inspire ethnobotany-based entrepreneurship, while fostering ecological awareness and cultural values among students.