The Hindu : Study reveals wide use of forest plants by tribals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Study reveals wide use of forest plants by tribals

By Our Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM Aug. 22. A study in ethnomedicine in Srikakulam district has brought to light the use of several species of plants used by tribals for ages. The study comprises collection, identification and storing of plant species used by tribal groups as a way of their culture and living for treatment of diseases. It also brings on to the agenda medicinal plant alternatives to traditional species depleted due to overexploitation and explores the ways and means of protection, conservation and preservation of medicinal plants and enthnomedicinal practices.

BVA Rama Rao Naidu, Head of the Department of Botany, Government Degree College, Srikakulam, has identified 386 species of plants after intensive field trips over a period of five years in 74 interior tribal pockets and six coastal and plain areas of Srikakulam, Palakonda, Patapatnam, Tekkali and Kasibugga forest ranges of Srikakulam district. Besides random information, he also recorded the ethnomedicinal information given by 41 vaidyas (tribal medical practitioners) and the mode of preparation and dosage for the practices. Mr. Rama Rao Naidu has been declared qualified for his Ph.D. in botany by the Andhra University for his thesis titled "Ethnomedicine from Srikakulam district.''

Mr. Rama Rao Naidu says that 139 different ailments are cured by the plants listed by him in 1,419 enthnomedicinal practices. Of the 386 species, 77 are used to treat both human as well as veterinary ailments, 305 exclusively for treating humans and four for only veterinary purposes. In the study, 267 plant species are used singly and the other 119 in combination. However, the success of the medicine depends upon standard proportions and intelligent combination of different plants, he says, adding further investigation on compound formulation to check efficacy and safety are necessary.

On the conservation of ethnobotanical knowledge from the ill-effects of industrialisatsion and modernisation and destruction of forests, the study suggests redoubled efforts by Government and non-government organisations involving local people by bringing about an attitudinal change in them.

Besides conserving and spreading plants in their natural habitat, other means suggested are ex situ conservation by preserving germ plasm, in vitro conservation, cryopreservation and DNA library.

Besides taking up cultivation of medicinal plants in the open forest area, crude drug industries should be located in Sitampeta, Meliaputti, Bhamini, Patapatnam, Mandasa, Kanchili, Kotturu and Saravakota mandals, where tribals live, he suggests.

Adding a disturbing dimension, the study also finds that the natural vegetation of Srikakulam district is being destroyed by human activities. According to Mr Rama Rao Naidu, important medicinal plants like Alstonia venenata, Argyreia nervosa, Aristolocchia indica, Celastrus paniculata, Commefera caudata, Gymnema sylvestre, Helicteres isora, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Rauvolfia serpentina, Tylophora indica, Urgenia indica, Vitex altissima, Woodfordia fruticosa are critically endangered. Huge trees like Strychnos potatorum, Chloroxylum swietenia which are in critically endangered state must be taken up under social forestry, he suggests.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Finance panel urged to hike States' tax share

Heavy rain lashes A.P.

Six floodgates of Kaulasnala project lifted

Recommendations of panel valid, say AU student leaders

`Malupu' to benefit seven lakh leather workers

Study reveals wide use of forest plants by tribals

Development works in Kurnool spurred by TDP: Minister

Woman slaps CPI leader

S.P.Y. Reddy quits Cong.

Collector takes it out on politicos