Port Blair, Nov 11: A two-day National Seminar on ‘Ethno- Medicinal Practices in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Scope, Limitation & Prospective’, organized by the Regional Research Centre of Ayurveda (RRCA), a unit of Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Science, Ministry of AYUSH, GoI, got underway with its inauguration by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in the Auditorium of Anthropological Survey of India here this morning.
Addressing the gathering soon after lighting the ceremonial lamp, the Minister said, it’s a matter of great pride that our country occupies special place in traditional system of medicine in the world. India is one among the 17 countries in the world, having rich biodiversity where different kinds of medicinal plants also exist, he said.
The Minister mentioned that the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, during a function has said that the Central Govt. accords top priority to improving health facility and to provide better health care to all in the country. Accordingly, Govt. is concentrating more on providing affordable health care facilities to all sections of the society, medicines at reasonable prices and creation of better health infrastructure facilities. “I want to assure the gathering that we are working to meet the vision of the Prime Minister and moving forward with dedication to improve health facilities in the country”, the Minister added.
The Minister said, currently the Central Govt. is committed towards propagating AYUSH system in the field of health care & treatment and is moving in the right direction to achieve the goal. The Minister said, now a days, a positive change is being seen among the people regarding their approach to health and treatment. People are now focusing on healthy lifestyle rather than treatment of diseases, he said.
The Minster also appreciated the research work done by the CCRAS since its inception in 1978. The Regional Research Centre of Ayurveda in A& N Islands is working on two projects i.e ‘tribal health care & research’ and ‘medicinal plant survey’. He said, the AYUSH Ministry, Central Govt. and Ayurveda Research Council are planning for a permanent building for the Islands’ branch. Once the land is available, this Centre can be utilized for Medicinal Plant Survey besides providing better health care and propagation of ethno-medicine, the Minister added.
The Minister expressed hope that the two-day seminar will further throw light on the topic and a road map will be prepared for the future.
The Minister and other dignitaries also released two books viz. ‘Medico- Botany of Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Recent Study’ and ‘Seminar Abstracts Book’, on the occasion.
In his address on the occasion, the Director General, CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, Prof. Kartar Singh Dhiman said, CCRAS has conducted an extensive Medico Ethno Botanical Survey in most parts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and collected valuable information on medicinal plants, folk claims etc. The survey has been successfully carried out giving rise to this national seminar on ‘Ethno- medicinal practices in A&N Islands: Scope, Limitation & Prospective’ here today. He also solicited the support of CIARI, A&N Environment & Forest Department and ANTRI for further research activities. He expressed hope that the outcome of the seminar will certainly benefit all stakeholders and boost the AYUSH sector in this region. He also welcomed the Minister and other dignitaries present.
In his address, the Director, ANTRI, Shri S. A. Awaradi said that the Central Government has rightly recognized the importance and role of ‘Ethno- medicinal practices’ of the tribal people and this seminar is a big step forward. Though, the majority of the people rely on modern medicine, there are some ethnic group viz. Shompens, Sentenelese, Jarawas and the Nicobarese, who still depend on their own traditional medicine, he said adding that such ethno –medicine is equally important in the matter of public health care in respect of the indigenous communities here in Isles.
The Director, CIARI, Dr. S. Dam Roy, while speaking, elaborated on the rich bio-diversity of A&N Islands. He said, there are about 300 varieties of medicinal plants here in isles besides other endemic flora. He also informed about the activities of CIARI, particularly, the Medicinal Garden, which hosts varieties of endemic medicinal plants found in A&N Islands. He also highlighted the importance of Noni fruit, a medicinal value plant found in A&N Isles and said research is being done on Noni fruit for value addition.
In his speech, the Addl. PCCF, Dept. of E&F. A&N Administration, Shri Tarun Coomar said the Indian society is missing out on two important practices viz. joint family system and traditional conventional medicine. However, efforts are on to revive such practices and it is evident that the age old practices in India is gaining international importance, especially Yoga, he said. He further remarked that conventional ethno medicine is a mystery in itself and it is essential to rediscover traditional roots, as it hold significant importance in the Indian society.
The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions in which expertise from mainland and A&N Islands viz. Prof.V.K.Joshi, HoD of Dravyaguna, BHU, Varanasi spoke on the topic ‘Medicinal Plants of Andaman & Nicobar Islands in context with Ayurveda classics while Dr. S. Dam Roy presented an overview on agriculture research on medicinal plants of A&N Islands. Shri S. A. Awardi spoke on multi-disciplinary study of ethno medicine among the aboriginal tribes of A&N Islands and challenges threats.
In the second session, Dr. TVRS Sharma, Retd. Scientist of CIARI spoke on Management strategies and proposed research in medicinal plants used by tribal of A&N Islands, Dr. Lalji Singh, Scientist ‘D’, BSI spoke on Conservation of Medicinal Plants Diversity in Dhanikhari Experimental garden cum Arboretum (DEGCA), A&N Islands. Dr. GVR Joseph & Dr. S.S.Mane, CCRAS, spoke on scenario of Ethno medicinal practices in Andaman & Nicobar Islands while Dr. Mayur Y Kamble, Scientist ‘D’ ,BSI, Regional Centre, National Orchidarium and Experimental Garden, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu spoke on Medicinal Plants in six wild life sanctuaries of North Andaman Islands.
In the third session, Dr. N. S. Murthy, Regional Ayurveda Institute for Fundamental Research, Pune spoke on Means and ways of collection and documentation of traditional health care practices while Dr. Santosh.S. Mane & Dr. Manohar Gundeti, CCRAS spoke on Surgical Practices in Jarawa Tribes of Andaman Islands.
The inaugural session, which was attended among others by Dy. Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Dr. Anshuman Sharma, Officials of ANTRI, ICAR-CIARI, BSI, ZSI, ICMR, FSI, Pondicherry University, JNRM, concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Research Officer Incharge (RRCA), Dr. Santosh Mane.
