Medicinal Plant Diversity and Conservation in the Environmental Education Theme Park of RIE Ajmer: A Case Study

Abstract

Medicinal plants constitute an important component of biodiversity and provide valuable opportunities for environmental education, conservation awareness, and the preservation of ethnobotanical knowledge. The present study documented medicinal plant diversity within the Environmental Education Theme Park of the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Ajmer, Rajasthan. Field surveys were conducted during 2025–2026 through direct observation, specimen collection, photography, and interaction with local residents. Plant specimens were identified using standard floristic literature and available taxonomic monographs. A total of 113 medicinal plant species belonging to 89 genera and 50 families were recorded on the campus. The inventory comprised 106 dicot species representing 82 genera and 45 families and seven monocot species representing six genera and five families. Based on growth habit, the recorded flora included 47 trees, 38 herbs, 21 shrubs, and seven climbers. Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae were the dominant families, each represented by six species, while Ficus was the most represented genus, with three species. Nine medicinal plant species were reported under Rare, Endangered, or Threatened categories, indicating the need for site-based conservation attention. The documented campus flora demonstrates the potential of the theme park as a practical resource for plant identification, biodiversity education, and awareness of medicinal plant conservation. Continued monitoring, taxonomic verification, voucher documentation, and appropriate in situ and ex situ conservation measures are required to support the sustainable management and educational use of these medicinal plant resources.