NOPR Collection:

Hodi, a traditional craft of Nicobari tribe

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Hodi, a traditional craft of Nicobari tribe Authors: Ravikumar, T; Krishnan, P; Ram, Nagesh; Sankar, R Kiruba; Roy, S Dam; Ahmed, SK Zamir; Neethiselvan, N Abstract: The Nicobari tribe is one among the six native tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI), who lives in Nicobar group of Islands. This tribe follows traditional fishing methods for the exploitation of marine fishery resources from time immemorial. The traditional crafts employed for exploitation of fish in Car Nicobar, the capital of Nicobar district where a significant proportion of this tribe inhabit, is commonly called as Hodi and “ap” in Nicobari language. Hodi is constructed either using trees locally available in the island or from nearby islands. The technical skill for the construction of Hodi is based on the traditional indigenous knowledge acquired by the Nicobarese from their forefathers. It takes few weeks to few months for the construction of a Hodi. Selection of tree for the construction requires specific experience and few selective elderly persons among Nicobari tribe is considered to be the experts for the construction of Hodi. During earlier days axe and sword sickle (Fel) have been used as construction tools. However, presently modern electrical and mechanical instruments are also used for the construction of this craft. This craft is used for many fishing practices such as spearing, harpooning, light fishing, hand lining, cast netting, shore seining and gill netting to catch seer fishes, carangids, sardines, parrot fishes, tuna, sail fish, barracuda, mullet, octopuses, crabs and turtles. Page(s): 161-168

Notes on herbal treatment practiced by the people of fringe villages of Manas National Park, India

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Notes on herbal treatment practiced by the people of fringe villages of Manas National Park, India Authors: Bhattacharjya, DK; Kar, A; Sarma, H; Patowary, KN Abstract: The Manas National Park spread across Baksa and Chirang districts in Assam where the Bhutan Hills rolls down towards the northern part. Altogether 62 fringe villages are located on the southern side of the Park. The present communication deals with the herbal recipes of 49 plant species belonging to 35 families administered against 30 diseases/ailments among the people of the fringe villages. The recipes along with mode of preparation and use, and dose presented in the paper are part of the empiric knowledge confined to the common people of the area. Page(s): 155-160

Ethno-medico-botanical knowledge of Tiptur taluk in Tumkur district of Karnataka, India

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Ethno-medico-botanical knowledge of Tiptur taluk in Tumkur district of Karnataka, India Authors: Achar, Somashekhara KG; Boosanur, Vijaya; Shivanna, MB Abstract: Medicinal plants play an important role in the primary healthcare in rural India, since they are available locally, inexpensive and are said to have less side-effects. Herbal medicinal knowledge is an invaluable treasure that requires scientific documentation. The phyto-ethno-medicinal knowledge of Tiptur taluk of Karnataka state, India, has not been documented in the literature. Traditional plant medicinal knowledge available with folk people of the taluk was collected by interview-based semi-structured questionnaire and data was subjected to Informant consensus factor (ICF). The study revealed the use of 127 plant species of 118 genera and 52 families to treat 79 diseases and disorders affecting humans in the study area. The study also documented 60 new claims of medicinal use of plants, of which 22 reveals were on individual, and 38 on more than two plant formulations. The ICF analysis revealed that respiratory (0.54) and dermatological disorders (0.52) were highly prevalent in the area, for which 28 and 62 medicinal herbs, respectively, were prescribed by the herbal healers. The present study indicated that the herbal healers have a fair knowledge and a considerable number of their formulations are new records. Page(s): 147-154

Gewai saag: A folk medicine used by the tribal people of Central Himalayan region

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Gewai saag: A folk medicine used by the tribal people of Central Himalayan region Authors: Padalia, Kirtika Abstract: Gewai saag is a folk medicine prepared by the leaves and the young stem of the Solanum nigrum L. This medicine is frequently used by the tribal and the local community of Uttarakhand state to relief of various sort of body pain. The medicine is highly effective in the joint pain and rheumatism. This article describes the method of preparation of the medicine and its applications along with an objective to conserve the practices of traditional knowledge of plant and plant’s products. Page(s): 144-146