Floristic diversity, traditional plant use and grassroots innovations supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods in North East India

Northeast India, one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots, sustains exceptional ecological and cultural heterogeneity shaped by its tropical climate and ethnic diversity. The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of floristic diversity, community structure, and grassroots innovation dissemination in Northeast India, with a particular focus on their ecological, cultural, and educational dimensions. A total of 338 plant species representing 94 families were inventoried, highlighting significant richness and uneven taxonomic distribution. Herbs (35.2%) and trees (34.3%) dominated the flora, with Fabaceae and Poaceae emerging as the most species-rich families. The Importance Value Index (IVI) revealed the ecological prominence of Terminalia chebula Retz., among trees while Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng and Paspalum scrobiculatum L. were identified as keystone grasses stabilizing the herbaceous layer. Life form analysis showed phanerophytes (54.7%) and hemicryptophytes (35.2%) as overrepresented compared to Raunkiaer’s spectrum, underscoring adaptation to humid tropical conditions. The survey recorded 71 medicinal species primarily using leaves and roots, alongside 237 non-timber phytoresources supporting livelihoods through fodder, fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and handicrafts. Institutional campuses conserved 101 species, functioning as living repositories and promoting environmental awareness. Concurrently, 21 grassroots innovations—from agricultural tools to ergonomic devices—were disseminated through demonstrations, literature, and vernacular translations under the National Innovation Foundation-India. These interventions enhanced productivity, reduced drudgery, and illustrated the synergy between local ingenuity and institutional support. Collectively, the findings highlight the dual imperatives of sustainable utilization and biodiversity conservation, while positioning grassroots innovations as catalysts for self-reliance ( Atmanirbharta ) and rural empowerment. Future research should undertake longitudinal analyses of species compositional dynamics, quantitatively evaluate the socio-ecological outcomes of grassroots innovation diffusion, and develop integrative frameworks that synthesize indigenous ecological knowledge with evidence-based conservation science.