Ethnoveterinary practices for small ruminants followed by rural folks in southern Odisha

Abstract

The present study is aimed at identification of the traditional medical practices being adopted by the rural folks in the treatment of small ruminant diseases in Bhawanipatna block in Kalahandi district of Odisha state. Extensive field survey in 12 villages (Manoharpur, Medinpur, Sujanpur, Jammunabahal, Balarampur, Sagadia, Ichchapur, Sanakhairamala, Kadappa, Chhatiguda, Bangabadi, Kadapada) in and around Bhawanipatna was carried out through 36 regular and repeated informal visits, and 160 informants residing in these villages were consulted through participatory rural appraisal method. Information was gathered through open interaction and door to door interview, and through personal interrogation. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">A total of 23 species of herbal plants have been identified which were used either alone or in combination as traditional remedies for 24 different conditions/ diseases in livestock including important conditions like hoof infection, liver disorder and enteritis to emergency conditions like tympany/ bloat and hemorrhage.<b> </b>About 2000 small ruminants have been treated by the total informants over the years with the use of herbal remedies. The success rate of the practices used was claimed by the native folk to be 50-60 %. Use of such medicinal plants is of greater value in view of the socioeconomic conditions of the small ruminants owners in reducing the cost of treatment.

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