Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh. 4. Interactions with the Honey Collectors of Gariaband and Mainpur regions.by Pankaj Oudhia
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Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August
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| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 1652 |
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| Abstract |
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| This research article is a part of series titled Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh by the author. |
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| Traditional Healing |
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| Although over ten types of medicinal Honey exist in Indian state Chhattisgarh and all types are collected in bulk but still the traders as well as state authorities sell mixture of all types of Honey as simple Honey. Each type of Honey is having different medicinal properties. Instead of simple classification of small and big bees (Chhoti and Badi Makkhi) the Honey Collectors as well as the Traditional Healers consider the Honey collected in different seasons and different time entirely different. According to them seasonal flora plays important role in enriching Honey with medicinal properties. Identification of such Honey and its marketing in ten different types can not only help the Collectors to get higher prices but also Honey of Chhattisgarh will get international recognition and we will be able to fix our own prices. During recent surveys in Gariaband and Mainpur regions my interactions with the Honey Collectors were not much encouraging. I found them in pressure of collection of Honey in bulk, anyhow and if missed someone else will collect it for the traders without any delay. It is not good sign both for the Collectors as well as for Mother Nature. In previous research articles I have mentioned how the Collectors collect Honey in a way so that it cannot damage the Honeycomb and also they get Honey free from wax. They informed that on dark nights honey is collected and on bright nights it is consumed by Bees. Hence at the last of dark nights is best time for the collection but due to increasing demand of Honey the Collectors especially young collectors collect it by seeing any Honeycomb at any stage. Gariaband and Mainpur regions are considered as Nature's Honey Bank and buyers at National and International levels are aware of it. Mainly Honey is marketed through Dhamtari market. Although these regions are not far from Dhamtari but the rates at which Honey is purchased from the collectors are far lower than the rates at which it is available for national and international buyers. These lower rates have forced many Honey Collectors to visit nearby cities like Raipur frequently and sell it door to door. I personally know many Honey Collectors visiting to Raipur. They get higher prices as they give information about testing methods against impurities, about medicinal properties and also provide cheaper Honey than available in market as branded products. These frequent visits have encouraged many Ayurveda practitioners to recommend most of their patients to purchase Honey from their clinics. Through this way they are getting higher commissions. Both Traders and such practitioners are benefiting from the Collectors but unfortunately they are still not getting true prices. Many times a question comes in mind that up to what extent the bulk Honey collection is affecting the survival of Honey Bees in the state forests. I am aware for the authorities this question is ridiculous but the Traditional Healers and Honey Collectors are not only in worry but also they are observing it regularly. They always say to me to do or write something about this potential threat. Clever human society is harvesting the effort of Honey Bees without paying back any thing. At present this exploitation has become neck to neck competition. There is need to conserve the natural Honey Bee population in the state. Introduction of new flora in the name of development, changing cropping pattern and increasing use of pesticides resulting in decreasing population of Honey Bees. Who is monitoring it officially? No one is having answer. Although Agricultural experts have tried to promote Apiary projects but failed. The Traders are interested in Honey from free sources like forest and they will not stop collection till the last drop of Honey exist in these forests. Like the Herb Collectors, the Honey Collectors also confirmed that medicinal herbs in these regions are in danger. They listed out over 25 herbs requiring immediate attention. All these herbs are having hidden demand in herb trade. The authorities never know about its collection and trade, as it is never mentioned in record. According to the Honey Collectors many insects as well as herbs are associated with these traded herbs and destruction of its natural population means direct impact on associated plants and insects also. After formation of new state both legal and illegal collections have increased many folds. As remedial measures they suggested many steps. They want to get fair prices of Honey collected by them. In early days they were not aware of the rates the traders were getting but now they are having information but due to lack of resources they are unable to get these rates. The senior Honey Collectors want to market Honey based on its medicinal properties. They want to continue adopting traditional i.e. sustainable collection of Honey so that it can damage least to the Honeybees and comb. Many of them suggested rotational harvesting so that forest can get chance to get its original shape. I am mentioning these steps with hope that the authorities and social workers will come forward to help these Honey Collectors. I have found the Honey Collectors of Chhattisgarh having rich traditional medicinal knowledge regarding not only Honey but also medicinal herbs. I have documented this knowledge in my previous research articles. During recent surveys when we were discussing on poor health of natives living in modern cities and their ever-increasing expenditure on health the Honey Collectors suggested simple remedy. The combination of Honey with Makkhan (Butter) is promising both as tonic as well as measure to maintain natural resistance. But they know that in urban regions it is hard to get pure Honey as well as Butter. They suggest such natives to visit forest regions like Gariaband and Mainpur once in a week in order to get Nature's herbal gifts and pure air to breathe especially for children. |
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| Green EC (1999) Engaging Indigenous African Healers in the Prevention of AIDS and STDs Bastien JW (1989) Healers of the Andes: Kallawaya Herbalists and Their Medicinal Plants Abdool Karim SSA Ziqubu-Page TT Arendse R (1994) Bridging the gap: potential for a health care partnership between African traditional healers and biomedical personnel in South Africa Green EC (1985) Traditional healers, mothers and childhood diarrhoeal disease in Swaziland: the interface of anthropology and health education Reynolds P (1996) Traditional healers and childhood in Zimbabwe Staugard F (1985) Traditional Medicine in Botswana: traditional healers Ehrenreich B. English D. (1973) Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers Leonard K.L. (1997) African traditional healers: incentives and skill in health care delivery McClain C. (1989) Women as Healers: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Sargent C. (1989) Women¹s Roles and Women Healers in Contemporary Rural and Urban Benin Oudhia P. (2006) Paramparik Chikitsak Kya Dilwa Payenge Mukti Bird Flu Se?(Can Traditional Healers give freedom from Bird Flu?). — Article in Hindi. Oudhia P. (2006) Working with the real health experts : traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. Oudhia P. (2006) Jameen aasman ka antar hai jhola chhap Doctor aur Paramparik Chikitsak main. (There is much difference between Quacks and Traditional Healers.)- Hindi Article. |
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