ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) is preparing a unique Community Biodiversity Register (CBDR) for the tribals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that will document their traditional healing practices, use of medicinal plants, healing record, mode of preparation of plants’ parts and number of patients treated.
Scientists have travelled to 11 of the 15 villages of the Car Nicobar Island, inhabited by the ancient Nicobarese tribe, documenting the use of 124 medicinal plants that are being prescribed to cure 34 different diseases. They have also interviewed 42 Traditional Knowledge Persons (TKP)/folk healers for the project, which is estimated to cost over Rs 38 lakh.
RMRC director Dr Palaru Vijayachari said, “Traditional treasures of the tribal people, like their healing techniques, need to be protected. We are documenting them so that patents can be applied for such practices. We will be documenting all medicinal plants among all accessible tribes. Scientific explanation of the use of the plant will accompany it.”
Dr Vijayachari said, “Mostly these medicines made by the tribes are a combination of plants. The duration of treatment is different, and isn’t the same for all diseases. We will collect all information, scientifically validate them and then help patent them on the name of the tribal healers.”
Around 86% of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are reserved and protected tropical rain forests. About 170 medicinal plants have been identified in these islands — 150 floral and faunal species are endemic to these islands.
“A digital database on plant resources of these islands indicate over 400 plant species, herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers, epiphytes and lithophytes under different families with medicinal values. The indigenous tribes of the islands have been using these natural products for their medicinal properties,” Dr Vijayachari added.