Aaranyak-Rufford Small Grants_medhi

Aaranyak Small Grants for Nature Conservation in Northeast India

Aaranyak-Rufford Small Grants >>

Title of the Project: Ethno-medico botanical studies of the Rabha Community and its conservation perspective in Kamrup and Goalpara district, Assam.

Project Investigator: Medhi Rekha

Project objectives:

1. To document status and diversity of medicinal plants used by Rabha Community and their uses for medications.

2. To identify the threats to the local medicinal plants and practices.

3. To know the socio-economic status of the community related to health and hygiene.

4. To aware the people about the importance of the conservation of medicinal plants.

5. To prepare strategies for the conservation of the medicinal plants in the study area.

Project Update (June 2007):

Ethnobotanical data were collected in 4 villages in each of the two districts. Kamrup (Siloguri, Kenduguri, Lamapara & Dakuapara) and Goalpara (Gandabari, Sarakpara, Hadipara & Halaodanga).

The study identifies 60 plant species used in traditional medicinal practice. Some of these important species are Acorus calamus, Aristolochia indica, Cissus quadrangularis, Tinospora cordifolia, Justica gendarussa, etc.

The initial study could identify 6 traditional medicinal practitioners that include four male and two female. They are locally referred to as Oja or Bez and have thus keeping a dyeing tradition alive to treat different ailments