An ethnopharmacology conclave with traditional healers of the State was today organised by the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Meghalaya research node at 6th Mile, Upper Shillong.
The conclave was organised under the on-going programme on “Bioeconomy from Bioresources with special reference to North Eastern Region of India”.
More than 30 traditional healers of Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo Hills of Meghalaya participated in the programme and interacted with resource persons for promoting traditional medicines and knowledge of this region.
Experts including Dr Neeta Mahesekar, Director, NEIAH, Shillong; Dr. H.C. Lyndem, Director, Directorate of Health Services (Research etc.), Dr. A.A. Mao, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata and Spasterlin Nongrem, Secretary, Seng Nogsumar Dawai Khasi Nylla also discussed their ideas for exploring traditional healer’s knowledge of Meghalaya and promoting traditional medicines in different context.
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Chief Executive Member, Titosstarwell Chyne attended the programme as the chief guest appreciated this initiative of IBSD to bring together the different stakeholders and looked forward to collaborative activities with IBSD for the protection and promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine.
Chyne, who is also the chairman of the Khasi Traditional Medicine Commission, highlighted about the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011, which has several objectives including the Commission and the Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute.
IBSD Director, Prof. Pulok K. Mukherjee briefed about the importance of traditional medicines and knowledge available with traditional healers of the Northeast. He said the institute is actively involved in documentation, evaluation and scientific validation of traditional healer’s knowledge of the region.
The IBSD also released two booklets on cultivation and mass multiplication of Swertia chirayita and Valeriana jatamansi.
