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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Aegle marmelos or bael is a tree with enormous therapeutic, religious and ethno-botanical value. It is a highly sacred tree in Hindu religion and is worshipped as an offering to lord Shiva. It is a moderate size tree with the great importance in the rural economy and livelihood. Bael tree leaves are aromatic and the essential oil extracted from its leaves is of medicinal value. Its fruits, leaves, wood and other plant parts are used as edibles, fodder, timber, tannins, dyes and many more purposes. This is a valuable agroforestry tree and the essential oil obtained from its leaves is hardly being utilized. In this study, the essential oil from the leaves of bael tree was extracted and added as an additional income to the farmers along with its fruits, timber, fodder and other domestic usages. The essential oil yield from the leaves of bael tree was obtained by hydro-distillation. A socio-economic survey in the Bisht Village and Kirsali village of district Dehradun, Uttarakhnad was conducted and the existing role of bael tree in rural agroforestry and economy was also assessed. The inclusion of bael tree especially the leaf extract has the potential to make a significant difference in the livelihood in Garhwal Himalaya.