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Pankaj
Oudhia
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PLANT VS. PLANTS :
Results of Survey conducted in Lohandiguda and
Tokapal (Bastar) regions during August, 2006.
[Updated document, year 2009]
Pankaj
Oudhia
Abstract
Tens of species of
medicinal mushroom, thousands of medicinal herbs
and insects, different types of medicinal soil,
traditional rice varieties, medicinal weeds and
rich diversity of wild birds have been observed
during one day short field survey in ten villages
of Lohandiguda and Tokapal blocks of Bastar, the
heaven on earth. This survey was conducted with
the help of Pune based organization National Center for
Advocacy Studies during August 5-7,
2006.
Table of
Contents
Basic
Information about the biodiversity rich selected
region
Rich
population of old Medicinal
trees
Medicinal
Mushroom
Medicinal Soil
and Medicinal Insects
Devgudi and
Old Trees
Biodiversity
in Danger
Suggestions
Acknowledgement
Related
Ecoport Articles and
Tables
Related
References
Internet
Links
Basic
Information about the biodiversity rich selected
region
The
ten villages selected for study were Takraguda,
Sirisguda, Badanji, Kumhli, Chhindgaon, Dhuragaon,
Belar, and Daabpal, Bade Paroda and Baleapal. The
soil of this region is considered as best fertile
soil in Bastar region. Through visual observation
one can assess the fertility of the soil by seeing
the growth of crops. Rice based cropping systems
are in existence. Farmers raise traditional rice
varieties and still adopt organic farming. Safari,
Gurmatia, Sathka, Bhata Mokra, Chudi Dhan etc. are
among these traditional varieties. According to
the Traditional Healers of Bastar region many of
these medicinal rice varieties are used in
traditional medicine system. Medicinal rice Bhata
Mokra is good remedy for gynecological troubles.
According to the natives the introduction of new
high yielding rice varieties are now limiting the
area under traditional varieties. The farmers of
this region are hard working. Not only the region
is rich but also the natives are having rich
traditional medicinal knowledge about medicinal
herbs and insects. They use medicinal weeds as
human and veterinary medicine. These weeds are
also used as input for organic farming. They allow
many weeds in crop bunds. Calotropis gigantea is
one of these weeds. They believe that the presence
of this weed reduces the attack of rice pest. Like
other parts of Chhattisgarh the natives use many
weed species as potherbs. Charota, Muscaini, Barra
etc. are among these weeds. During survey the
natives showed me rare medicinal ferns used
traditionally in treatment of different types of
cancer.
This region is also
rich in mineral resources. The photographs taken
at this region and presence of mines confirmed it.
It seems that the hills of this region are having
many hidden sources of precious minerals. Many
senior natives informed that these hills are
sacred and that is why they avoid climbing on
these hills.
Only few exotic
species are present in this region.
Pictures taken during this
survey.
Rich
population of old Medicinal trees
This region is rich in
medicinal tree population. Amli trees are very
common. Amli is well known NTFP of Chhattisgarh.
It generates revenue for the state and also
provides additional income to the natives. During
surveys old trees have been observed. Many are
over 300-400 years old trees. These trees are
still healthy. These trees require protection, as
these are rich sources of genes useful for
development new high yielding and medicinally rich
Amli varieties. These trees are best sources of
medicine used in traditional systems. Near
villages Semal, Sulfi, Bamboor, Chhind etc. are
major tree species. The natives are aware of local
uses of different parts of trees. For example
Chhind. The natives use its sap as traditional
drink. It grows without any care. It is used as
live fence and also for thatching. Many natives
prepare broom from its leaves. It is also used as
medicine. Based on the rich population of this
species one village is named as Chhindgaon. The
nearby forests are having rich population on wild
trees. During survey the natives showed me very
rare types of medicinal tree Parsa. Red flowered
Parsa is very common but this region is having
white and yellow flowered Parsa trees. This
information is limited to very few natives. There
is a need of conservation efforts. In situ
conservation will be promising option. During
survey I observed rich orchid (mainly Acampe,
Bulbophylum, Calanthe, Cleisostoma, Coelogyne,
Cymbidium, Cypripedium, Dactylorhiza, Dendrobium,
Epipactis, Eria, Eulophia, Flickingeria,
Habenaria, Satyrium, Taprobanea, Vanda etc.)
population in the region. Many species observed
were declared as endangered species in reference
literatures. These species are worshipped and also
used in traditional medicine system.
Medicinal
Mushroom
Bastar is rich in
Mushroom diversity although the standard
literatures are not having much information about
most of the species. Colorful mushroom with vigor
of life are feature of this region. During survey
due to heavy rainfall I found many such species,
mainly Ganoderma, Pleurotus, Volvariella,
Auricularia, Agaricus, Boletus, Amanita,
Cantharellus, Coprinus, Lactarius, Lentinus,
Psilocybe, Russula etc., in Mother Nature’s field.
The natives informed about its medicinal
properties. Most of the species are used as food.
They use Mushroom in at least fourteen ways. These
Mushroom dishes are full of health. It develops
natural resistance and this is the reason the
natives survive without any modern medical
facilities. As researcher I feel that there is
need to list of these species and start
conservation efforts without any delay.
Photo Album of Medicinal and edible
wild mushroom species in Kanker and Bastar regions
of Indian state Chhattisgarh.
Medicinal Soil
and Medicinal Insects
Medicinal
Soil
Like other parts of
Chhattisgarh the natives of this region are having
rich traditional medicinal knowledge about
medicinal soil. They use the rice soil as well as
hill soils both internally as well as externally
in treatment of many diseases. Along with soil,
weeds are also used in combination. Soil collected
from rice field having traditional varieties is
used externally in treatment of skin troubles.
This unique traditional medicinal knowledge has
yet not been documented in the region.
Medicinal
Insects
Insects are used both
as food as well as medicine in this region. During
survey the natives showed me the Lepidopteron
insects on Mahua tree used in treatment of
Epilepsy. They are having long list of medicinal
insects. Chapra as well as Trombidium are very
commonly used medicinal insects. Many natives are
having knowledge about the use of agricultural
pest. In short time I have collected information
about 80 such medicinal insects and mites
including Brithys crini (F.) [Lepidoptera :
Noctuidae)
Agropistus limbatus
Matsch. (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)
Chionaspis dilatata G.
(Hemiptera : Aphididae)
Lyncestis amphix Cr.
(Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)
Aphis sp. (Hemiptera :
Aphididae)
Nysius ericae
(Hemiptera)
Deilephila nerri L.
(Lepidoptera : Sphingidae).
Devgudi and
Old Trees
Devgudi are sacred
places. The natives plant specific trees in these
sacred places. I found hundreds years old trees in
these Devgudi. Trees are protected in these sacred
places. I found many rare species of old trees in
and around these sacred places
Biodiversity
in Danger
During survey I heard
about the proposed industrial unit in this
biodiversity rich spot. I was expecting research
institute as well as in situ conservation park in
this biologically rich region. Slight disturbance
in this region can cause havoc. The pristine
beauty given as gift by Mother Nature must be kept
intact in this region. Establishment of any
industrial unit will destroy all these rich
sources without any delay. Destruction of PLANTS
for one PLANT is not a wise decision. It is really
shocking.
We
know that industry and nature are having negative
relationship. Any ecosystem is very fragile. The
best way to conserve this biodiversity rich spot
is to keep it in its original form. Plant can be
established anywhere but it is not possible to
create replica of Mother Nature’s field.
Chhattisgarh is having large areas as wasteland.
Such lands may be utilized for industries. The use
of virgin forestland for industrial development is
far from justification.
Suggestions
1.
The survey revealed that there is a need to list
out the flora and fauna available in this
region.
2.
Detailed Ethnobotanical surveys are required to
document the traditional medicinal knowledge
available in the region.
3.
Need for in situ and ex situ conservation efforts
for rare medicinal herbs.
4.
This region is still free from obnoxious foreign
weeds like Parthenium and Water Hyacinth. Any
industrial development will lead to the
introduction of exotic weeds like in Bhilai and
Raigarh. These exotic weeds would become potential
threat to native flora.
5.
Old trees must be protected in its original place.
In case of any industrial activities such trees
must be tried to shift through traditional tree
replantation technique.
6.
This region is good study area for researchers and
students. There is need to establish biodiversity
park in the region having all representative flora
as well as fauna.
The
efforts to conduct long term detailed surveys in
different seasons are in progress. This is
preliminary report but needing immediate attention
from the planners that are in preparation of
supporting PLANT by destroying Nature’s
PLANTS.
Acknowledgement
Author is thankful to
NCAS, Pune for support.
Related
Ecoport Articles and Tables
Impact of Globalization on
Biodiversity with Special emphasis on Livelihood
of poor and marginalised : A case study of Raigarh
Region, Chhattisgarh, India.
What we can do for the victims of
Fluorosis?
Degree of effect of 'Black Dust' on
Raigarh plants.
Herbal ways to manage the problems
created by polluting sponge iron units in
India.
Related
References
Zagural' skaya LM
Zyabchenko SS (1994) Impact of industrial
pollution on soil microbial activity in boreal
forests of the Kostomuksha region.
Shyapyatene Ya A
(1988) Features of the dying of Scots pine stands
in a zone of intensive industrial pollution.
Chlodny J Matuszczyk I
Styfi Bartkiewicz B Syrek D (1987) Catchability of
the epigeal fauna of pine stands as a bioindicator
of industrial pollution of forests.
Siwecki R (1987)
Biological reactions of trees to industrial
pollution. Materials from the second National
Symposium.
Chubanau KD Boika AV
Arabei MM Kirkouski KK Pikulik MI Bortnik AV
(1988) Changes in Scots pine communities in the
green belt of Minsk in
connection with industrial pollution of the
environment.
Stel' makhova TF Voron
VP (1988) Effect of forestry measures on the
resistance of Scots pine stands to industrial
pollution of the atmosphere.
Ohtonen R Lahdesmaki P
Markkola AM (1994) Cellulase activity in forest
humus along an industrial pollution gradient in
Oulu, northern
Finland.
Shkaraba EM
Perevedentseva LG Mekhonoshchin LE (1991)
Consortium of forest plants and fungi under
conditions of industrial pollution.
Siweckiego R (1996)
Biological Reactions of Trees to Industrial
Pollution, IIIrd National Symposium, Kornik, 23-26
May 1994: Materials, Volume 1, Volume 2.
Banerjee SK Williams
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Ionescu A Udrescu S
(1988) Effect of fluorine and sulphur industrial
pollution on agricultural crops and edaphic
vegetation.
Stravinskene VP (1987)
Change in the radial increment of trees in a zone
affected by industrial pollution.
Ali
EA (1993) Damage to plants due to industrial
pollution and their use as bioindicators in
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Bercea V Bathory D
Rusu A Soran V (1993) Metabolical adaptation to
industrial pollution in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)
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Evolution of dry substance and total proteins.
Lukina NV Nikonov VV
(1991) Change in the primary productivity of
spruce stands under the influence of industrial
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Mihailescu A Ciobanu C
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Selikhovkin AV (1992)
Forest-entomological monitoring in zones of
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Zvereva EL (1993)
Effect of industrial pollution on fly communities
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Baicheva O (1976)
Study of the effect of industrial pollution of the
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Siwecki R (1987) Autumn fall of Scots pine needles
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Environmental pesticide industrial pollution: an
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Effects of agricultural and industrial pollution
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Possibilities of utilization of EMF concept for
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Internet
Links
Traditional Knowledge Can Help in
Old Tree Transplantation: An Introduction to New
Technology.
Ethno Medico Forest (EMF) : A new
concept from Chhattisgarh, India.
Weed wise or weed
savvy?
Food for thought:
Pestering pests or healers?
Kya
Prakriti ke chedchad se hi sambhav hai vikas?
Impact of
Globalisation on Culture of Sacred Groves: A Revival
of Common, But Decay of the Traditional
Institution.
New comments
added on December 16,
2009
After publication of
this report many organizations tried to use it for
personal gain and modified as per need in wrong
direction. These changes for personal interests
placed the main theme of this report aside.
After submission of
this report to NCAS, Pune I published it in
Ecoport. I translated it in Hindi and then
published it through print media. I received
encouraging responses. Most of the readers agreed
that if plant is must then the authorities must
take care of existing flora and fauna.
During talks in front
of nature lovers and planners I raised this issue
with the help of pictures and requested them to
fix guidelines. Many of them said that the efforts
are in progress in this direction.
I
was frequent visitor of this region but after
approval of industrial unit I hesitate to visit
the region. I have read through the newspapers
that in large areas Pipal and Bargad trees were
planted and zone is named as “Oxygen zone.” No
doubt it is good step but if you ask from me I
will suggest more diversity, not only Pipal and
Bargad. The EMF concept can be adopted to restore
the floral diversity of this region to some
extent. I am ready to extend my support in this
regard.
As
you know Ecoport has kept this report as locked
knowledge far from access of search engines. In
real sense this report is becoming online through
this series. I am expecting that concerned
authorities will come forward to take necessary
action in ground level.
Original
Research Document
http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=927&page=-2
How to Cite
This Research Document
Oudhia, P. (2009).
PLANT VS. PLANTS : Results of Survey conducted in
Lohandiguda and Tokapal (Bastar) regions during
August, 2006. [Updated document, year 2009]
http://www.pankajoudhia.com
© Pankaj
Oudhia
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