- Vaidya Conference emphasizes on preservation of traditional knowledge and promotion of herbal medicines
The Chhattisgarh Tribal Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plants Board is actively working to preserve traditional health traditions and herbal knowledge in Chhattisgarh. This organization promotes certification of local herbalists, scientific documentation of herbs, and sustainable harvesting.
- Medicinal Plant Board promotes health tradition Vaidyas
The state government is continuously making efforts to preserve Chhattisgarh’s rich traditional health tradition and herbal knowledge. Following the sensitive initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and the instructions of Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, the Chhattisgarh Tribal, Local Health Tradition and Medicinal Plant Board is encouraging Vaidyas and preserving and promoting their traditional knowledge. In this sequence, a district-level Vaidya conference was organized on August 14th in the Narayanpur Forest Division office auditorium.
- Vaidyas shared knowledge of traditional treatment
Board Chairman Mr. Vikas Markam inaugurated the conference by lighting the lamp. Divisional Forest Officer Mr. Venkatesh M.G. welcomed him with a bouquet. At the conference, Vaidyas Ratan Ranjan Dhar, Kajjaram Gota, Roopsingh, Sukhdev, Somnath, Phoolsingh, Amritlal, and Harichand, along with other Vaidyas, shared their experiences with traditional herbs and healing methods. The Vaidyas demanded the development of a herbal garden in Narayanpur to conserve medicinal plants and raise public awareness.
- Many schemes are run for Vaidyas
Board consultant Mr. Amit Gupta provided information about the schemes implemented for the benefit of Vaidyas. He stated that economically disadvantaged Vaidya groups are being provided free pulverizer machines to grind herbs to a high-quality powder. Under the Healer Herbal Garden Scheme, Vaidyas can develop a small garden of commonly used herbal herbs in their backyards. The Board provides financial and technical support for this.
- Certification of traditional healing practices of Vaidyas
Technical and financial assistance is also being provided for the development and maintenance of school herbal gardens in schools run by Vaidyas in their villages. Furthermore, a process for certification of Vaidyas’ traditional healing practices is being conducted through FABP, which will help systematically preserve and validate traditional medical knowledge.
- Plantation of medicinal plants in 3 thousand hectares
Divisional Forest Officer Mr. Venkatesh M.G. thanked the Board for organizing the conference. He assured the Vaidyas that they would develop a herbal garden in Narayanpur, responding to their demand. He informed them that approximately 3,000 hectares of the Narayanpur Forest Division is being planted to conserve and promote medicinal plants. Along with creating a repository of medicinal plants, the traditional knowledge of the Vaidyas will also be documented.
- Vaidyas play an important role in the conservation of rare medicinal plants.
Board Chairman Mr. Vikas Markam stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai and Forest Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap, continuous efforts are being made to uplift Vaidyas and preserve traditional health knowledge. He called upon Vaidyas to actively cooperate in the conservation and promotion of medicinal herbs. He explained that the endangered herb Rasna is found in the forests of Chhote Dongar and Benur areas of Narayanpur. Similarly, the nearly extinct Dahiman is also found in the forests of Narayanpur. He stated that the conservation of such rare medicinal herbs is a shared responsibility of the government and Vaidyas. The Board has identified 50 endangered rare medicinal herbs and is working to conserve and promote them.
- Research on the tradition of Abujhmad is also being done from abroad.
Mr. Markam said that today, researchers from abroad are coming to Abujhmad to conduct research on its traditional health and food traditions. This reflects the global recognition of Chhattisgarh’s rich traditional knowledge system. He added that local Vaidyas also have a major responsibility in preserving this traditional knowledge and herbal heritage.
- Instructions for solving the problems of doctors
At the conference, Mr. Vikas Markam directly interacted with the Vaidyas and listened to their problems. He gave necessary instructions to the Divisional Forest Officer, Mr. Venkatesh M.G., to ensure local resolution of minor issues. At the end of the program, Board Chairman Mr. Vikas Markam presented participation certificates to all the Vaidyas who attended the conference.
- Around 60 to 70 participants including 25 Vaidyas from Narayanpur district took part
in the conference. Around 60 to 70 participants including 25 Vaidyas from Narayanpur district took part in the conference. On this occasion, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Mr. Hire Singh Uikey, Mrs. Preeti Yadav, Mr. Rajesh Kashyap, Range Officer Mr. Indra Kumar Yadav, Mr. Bhognath Nayak, Mrs. Varsha Kashyap, Mr. Bhushan Singh Thakur along with officers and employees of Narayanpur Forest Division and Board were present.
