PLANT VS. PLANTS : Results of Survey conducted in Lohandiguda and Tokapal (Bastar) regions during August, 2006.by Pankaj Oudhia
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PLANT VS. PLANTS : Results of Survey conducted in Lohandiguda and Tokapal (Bastar) regions during August, 2006.by
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| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 927 |
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| Abstract |
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| Tens of species of medicinal mushroom, thousands of medicinal herbs and insects, different types of medicinal soil, traditional rice varieties, medicinal weeds and rich diversity of wild birds have been observed during one day short field survey in ten villages of Lohandiguda and Tokapal blocks of Bastar, the heaven on earth. This survey was conducted with the help of Pune based organization National Center for Advocacy Studies during August 5-7, 2006. |
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| Basic Information about the biodiversity rich selected region | Return To Table of Contents |
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| The ten villages selected for study were Takraguda, Sirisguda, Badanji, Kumhli, Chhindgaon, Dhuragaon, Belar, and Daabpal, Bade Paroda and Baleapal. The soil of this region is considered as best fertile soil in Bastar region. Through visual observation one can assess the fertility of the soil by seeing the growth of crops. Rice based cropping systems are in existence. Farmers raise traditional rice varieties and still adopt organic farming. Safari, Gurmatia, Sathka, Bhata Mokra, Chudi Dhan etc. are among these traditional varieties. According to the Traditional Healers of Bastar region many of these medicinal rice varieties are used in traditional medicine system. Medicinal rice Bhata Mokra is good remedy for gynecological troubles. According to the natives the introduction of new high yielding rice varieties are now limiting the area under traditional varieties. The farmers of this region are hard working. Not only the region is rich but also the natives are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about medicinal herbs and insects. They use medicinal weeds as human and veterinary medicine. These weeds are also used as input for organic farming. They allow many weeds in crop bunds. Calotropis gigantea is one of these weeds. They believe that the presence of this weed reduces the attack of rice pest. Like other parts of Chhattisgarh the natives use many weed species as potherbs. Charota, Muscaini, Barra etc. are among these weeds. During survey the natives showed me rare medicinal ferns used traditionally in treatment of different types of cancer. This region is also rich in mineral resources. The photographs taken at this region and presence of mines confirmed it. It seems that the hills of this region are having many hidden sources of precious minerals. Many senior natives informed that these hills are sacred and that is why they avoid climbing on these hills. Only few exotic species are present in this region. Pictures taken during this survey. |
| Rich population of old Medicinal trees | Return To Table of Contents |
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| This region is rich in medicinal tree population. Amli trees are very common. Amli is well known NTFP of Chhattisgarh. It generates revenue for the state and also provides additional income to the natives. During surveys old trees have been observed. Many are over 300-400 years old trees. These trees are still healthy. These trees require protection, as these are rich sources of genes useful for development new high yielding and medicinally rich Amli varieties. These trees are best sources of medicine used in traditional systems. Near villages Semal, Sulfi, Bamboor, Chhind etc. are major tree species. The natives are aware of local uses of different parts of trees. For example Chhind. The natives use its sap as traditional drink. It grows without any care. It is used as live fence and also for thatching. Many natives prepare broom from its leaves. It is also used as medicine. Based on the rich population of this species one village is named as Chhindgaon. The nearby forests are having rich population on wild trees. During survey the natives showed me very rare types of medicinal tree Parsa. Red flowered Parsa is very common but this region is having white and yellow flowered Parsa trees. This information is limited to very few natives. There is a need of conservation efforts. In situ conservation will be promising option. During survey I observed rich orchid (mainly Acampe, Bulbophylum, Calanthe, Cleisostoma, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Cypripedium, Dactylorhiza, Dendrobium, Epipactis, Eria, Eulophia, Flickingeria, Habenaria, Satyrium, Taprobanea, Vanda etc.) population in the region. Many species observed were declared as endangered species in reference literatures. These species are worshipped and also used in traditional medicine system. |
| Medicinal Mushroom | Return To Table of Contents |
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 Bastar is rich in Mushroom diversity although the standard literatures are not having much information about most of the species. Colorful mushroom with vigor of life are feature of this region. During survey due to heavy rainfall I found many such species, mainly Ganoderma, Pleurotus, Volvariella, Auricularia, Agaricus, Boletus, Amanita, Cantharellus, Coprinus, Lactarius, Lentinus, Psilocybe, Russula etc., in Mother Nature’s field. The natives informed about its medicinal properties. Most of the species are used as food. They use Mushroom in at least fourteen ways. These Mushroom dishes are full of health. It develops natural resistance and this is the reason the natives survive without any modern medical facilities. As researcher I feel that there is need to list of these species and start conservation efforts without any delay. Photo Album of Medicinal and edible wild mushroom species in Kanker and Bastar regions of Indian state Chhattisgarh. |
| Medicinal Soil and Medicinal Insects | Return To Table of Contents |
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| Medicinal Soil Like other parts of Chhattisgarh the natives of this region are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about medicinal soil. They use the rice soil as well as hill soils both internally as well as externally in treatment of many diseases. Along with soil, weeds are also used in combination. Soil collected from rice field having traditional varieties is used externally in treatment of skin troubles. This unique traditional medicinal knowledge has yet not been documented in the region. Medicinal Insects Insects are used both as food as well as medicine in this region. During survey the natives showed me the Lepidopteron insects on Mahua tree used in treatment of Epilepsy. They are having long list of medicinal insects. Chapra as well as Trombidium are very commonly used medicinal insects. Many natives are having knowledge about the use of agricultural pest. In short time I have collected information about 80 such medicinal insects and mites including Brithys crini (F.) [Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) Agropistus limbatus Matsch. (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) Chionaspis dilatata G. (Hemiptera : Aphididae) Lyncestis amphix Cr. (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) Aphis sp. (Hemiptera : Aphididae) Nysius ericae (Hemiptera) Deilephila nerri L. (Lepidoptera : Sphingidae). |
| Devgudi and Old Trees | Return To Table of Contents |
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| Devgudi are sacred places. The natives plant specific trees in these sacred places. I found hundreds years old trees in these Devgudi. Trees are protected in these sacred places. I found many rare species of old trees in and around these sacred places |
| Biodiversity in Danger | Return To Table of Contents |
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| During survey I heard about the proposed industrial unit in this biodiversity rich spot. I was expecting research institute as well as in situ conservation park in this biologically rich region. Slight disturbance in this region can cause havoc. The pristine beauty given as gift by Mother Nature must be kept intact in this region. Establishment of any industrial unit will destroy all these rich sources without any delay. Destruction of PLANTS for one PLANT is not a wise decision. It is really shocking. We know that industry and nature are having negative relationship. Any ecosystem is very fragile. The best way to conserve this biodiversity rich spot is to keep it in its original form. Plant can be established anywhere but it is not possible to create replica of Mother Nature’s field. Chhattisgarh is having large areas as wasteland. Such lands may be utilized for industries. The use of virgin forestland for industrial development is far from justification. |
| Suggestions | Return To Table of Contents |
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| 1. The survey revealed that there is a need to list out the flora and fauna available in this region. 2. Detailed Ethnobotanical surveys are required to document the traditional medicinal knowledge available in the region. 3. Need for in situ and ex situ conservation efforts for rare medicinal herbs. 4. This region is still free from obnoxious foreign weeds like Parthenium and Water Hyacinth. Any industrial development will lead to the introduction of exotic weeds like in Bhilai and Raigarh. These exotic weeds would become potential threat to native flora. 5. Old trees must be protected in its original place. In case of any industrial activities such trees must be tried to shift through traditional tree replantation technique. 6. This region is good study area for researchers and students. There is need to establish biodiversity park in the region having all representative flora as well as fauna. The efforts to conduct long term detailed surveys in different seasons are in progress. This is preliminary report but needing immediate attention from the planners that are in preparation of supporting PLANT by destroying Nature’s PLANTS. |
| Acknowledgement | Return To Table of Contents |
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| Author is thankful to NCAS, Pune for support. |
| Related Ecoport Articles and Tables | Return To Table of Contents |
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| Related References | Return To Table of Contents |
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