Pankaj Oudhia

Unique combination of Pakar, Saja and Bhirha trees at one place

“Pakar, Saja and Bhirha are growing as single tree. Are villagers aware of its importance?” I asked when I saw such complex tree in a village of Chhattisgarh Plains. “No, we have not cared it. We treat it as other trees.” Villagers replied. “I feel that you must give importance to this complex tree. How many such complex trees are present in your village?” I asked. “Only one complex tree. Although we are not giving it importance but we are aware that such trees are very valuable for experts using its healing properties.” They replied.

Pakar (Ficus rumphii), Saja (Terminalia alata) and Bhirha (Chloroxylon swietenia) are well known forest trees in Chhattisgarh. All parts of these trees are used in Traditional Healing. The Traditional Healers use parts of these trees in combination also. I have documented information about hundreds of formulations in which these three species are added. But when the Healers use these species in combination they prefer to collect plant parts from such complex tree growing with support of single tree. Complex trees are considered as boon and gift from the Mother Nature. According to them when such trees grow in this form, it promotes each others growth and also enriches each other with specific medicinal properties. The Healers have marked such complex trees in different places. They are worshiping it from time immemorial. In most of the places they have established small temple so that no one can dare to cut it. They are aware of increasing greed of “Wood Mafia.”

When I reached to this specific complex tree, some people were worshipping it. “The Healer of Kaunkera region has sent us here. He treated my father and saved his life. When I asked for fees he refused. When I insisted he suggested to go to this tree complex and worship it. After worshiping say thanks to the complex tree and apply this herbal extract at base.” They informed. “Are you talking about Dhani?” I guessed. “Yes, you are right. Dhani treated my father.” They confirmed. Now they will try to visit this place once in a year.

I visit to forest with Dhani quite frequently. We have visited to place far from human interference and collected rare medicinal herbs. I have found him as true expert of complex trees.

In famous Tree Shade Therapy of the state, combination of Pakar, Saja and Bhirha is considered as boon for the patients having mental troubles. Its shade helps in better sleep. In general while planning for places proposed for mental patients I always suggest planting of these trees in specific arrangement.

The combinations of Pakar with Saja and Bhirha are more common but all trees growing in base of single Saja tree is unique situation. I informed in detail about its importance and requested the villagers to do something to protect it. Many of them welcomed this idea especially when they heard about its unique healing properties.

I have marked this spot in my field map and planning to visit this place frequently to protect it.      

Never ending competition among Goats, wild herbivores and Traditional Healers

“Where are the herbs? We are walking from one hour and not getting herbs?” I said with frustration. We were in dense forest but everywhere large trees were there. Forest was devoid of small herbs. One month back I was here and at that time took thousands of pictures of rare as well as common herbs. I was in dilemma that what happened in one month?

“I think this year monsoon is poor. That is why herbs are not present in sufficient number.” My field worker said. He was right to some extent but I was searching the herbs I photographed or remains of it.  The local guide traveling with us disclosed that goats have cleared the forest herbs. The authorities are promoting goat farming in the state. The policy is good and beneficial for farmers but in remote areas especially areas near to biodiversity rich forest natives send goats in forest for grazing. Goats eat every thing. From nearby villages hundreds of goats are coming to this forest. Due to its increasing population small herbs not preferred by goats, are crushed and dried. As there is no restriction in grazing and this trend is becoming common.

Very soon we heard metallic sound of big bells tied around goats. It was really surprising to see such goat population. “There is no herb. Now what this herd is going to consume?” I asked to the shepherd. “We are going to hill top where plenty of herbs are present.” He replied and without any delay started climbing.

The Traditional Healers traveling with us said that till today we were using herbs present in hill top for patients. Now it seems that we have to compete with goats. We will try to collect as much as herb possible for round the year use. The Healers were in worry. Only God knows that who will win this competition but I am afraid of wild herbivores dependent on forest flora. What they will do round the year? They will come to villages in search of food where street dogs will attack and kill them. Also poachers will get golden opportunity to kill them. Carnivores will follow the herbivores up to villages and this will result in new human-wildlife conflict. These are well known as well as much studied consequences.

“We are interested in timber not in small herbs.” A forest officer friend tried to convince me. “But herbs are also valuable especially medicinal herbs.” I said with little anger. “Yes, you are right but valuable herbs have been already extracted from forest by the traders through herb collectors during rainy season. The herbs present in forest at present are of no value for us. Let goats enjoy.” He said. “But what about the other inhabitants of forest?” I questioned. “Who bothers? You are human being first and you must think of benefit of your fellows rather than taking interest in wild life.” He said shamelessly. I stopped this discussion. Our forests are in hand of such officers. You can imagine its future. It is visible from ground that forest cover is decreasing at alarming rates but international experts when see it from satellite they claim that forest cover is increasing. To whom they are fooling?

“There is no solution for this grazing problem. In villages land allotted for grazing is under encroachment. The authorities are promoting goat farming. Farmers have to feed them anyway. They are not able to afford the cost of purchased cattle feed. As last resort they move towards forest. I have mentioned in previous articles that how goat and sheep owners from another Indian state Rajasthan are coming to graze Chhattisgarh forests. They keep camels in large number for transportation. Goats and sheep consume forest herbs and camels feed on trees without any mercy. Carnivores when see these animals in forest they attack on it. As result the owners try all methods to kill these carnivores without any delay. They bribe local authorities and very rapidly but unknowingly we are loosing forest wealth.

The most important step that is required is to aware the common people about importance of forest. Forests are not for today but for ever. Without it our survival is impossible. For Traditional Healers every herb present in forest is gift of the Mother Nature but for natives of present generation these are waste plants. In India text books in school describe much about foreign herbs but never teach about importance of native flora. Due to policies to promote modern medical systems, Traditional Healing is taking last breathe. The forest herbs are used in Traditional Healing. If there is no herb, how Traditional Healing can survive? Traditional Healing is India’s original healing system but now authorities have declared it as alternative system of medicine.

There is sudden increase in use medicinal herbs in India and everyone is taking herbs through self medication. Everyone is consuming herbs but no one is thinking about its decreasing availability. The situation is becoming very serious day by day.   

© Pankaj Oudhia