Pankaj Oudhia

Search for Red Healing Leaves in forest during winter

“See that hill slope. Tree with red leaves is there.” Finally I found tree with red leaves in winter. I was in forest survey. “If you are going to forest, please search the trees having red leaves and then collect it for us. Fifty leaves free from diseases and insects will be sufficient for us.” The Traditional Healers of nearby villages requested me. I tried to remember the trees with red leaves. The name of Kusum was coming again and again but there was time for Kusum red leaves. It was too early. I promised the Healers to bring red leaves for them.

“It is not possible to reach through car to that slope. Please park it near base. We will try to climb.” I said to my driver. The local guide suggested climbing through vegetation instead of taking the path used by shepherds. “Path through vegetation will give you chance to see new herbs and also you can climb with less effort.” He suggested.

The terrain was best fitted for ATV. Today morning I read in local newspaper that in Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary now forest officers will use ATV to protect the forest. After returning back from Kanha National Park this summer I suggested the authorities, through my writings, to give ATV to forest guards prone to attack of wild animals frequently. At present they travel in cycle and keep bamboo stick only for protection. I have read in net that ATV is curse for biodiversity in many cases. In my writings I have specially mentioned it and requested the authorities to give ATV to guards after informing its potential drawbacks.

Any type of vehicle movement in forest results in disturbance of wildlife specially to snakes. Today I was reading news from Itawa, U.P. where Pythons are coming to urban areas in large number. According to news clipping forest authority is trying to catch and release it in forest again but it looks like endless job. Increasing interference of human beings in forest is resulting in this problem. Pythons of Chhattisgarh are also facing same problem. But in spite of migrating through urban areas they are entering in deep forest. According to the forest people in deep forest Pythons are facing day to day competition for space and food. I am visiting Bootigarh region once famous for Pythons. During recent visited I searched the forest but failed to get even traces of it.

After some effort we reached to hill slope near tree with red leaves. It was tree of Dhawda. Some leaves were red whereas others were still green. I collected fifty leaves for the Healers. I took pictures of this tree and also herbs present in surroundings. We choose another path for return. While returning back I saw another plant with red leaves. ”It is Dongar Koriya.” The local guide identified it. I remembered that many years back I collected its seeds for the Traditional Healers having expertise in treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia. I felt fortunate that this time I got opportunity to collect its red leaves.

When I returned back to the Healers I was having red leaves of mere two species but Healers were not unhappy. “Thanks a lot. We were requiring these two types of leaves only.” They said. If I am not wrong they were aware of the fact that only two types of plants with red leaves were available in forest at that time.

“We use it in many formulations used both internally as well as externally. Please come and see the ingredients of this special formulation.” They said. I followed them. They showed a basket full of herbs. They added red leaves in it. “See it carefully. We use this combination in treatment of complicated wound. It acts in miraculous ways.” They disclosed. Fortunately I was aware of all herbs present in the basket. Through this way they shared their valuable knowledge. I thanked them.

“Please visit again after Holi festival for search of Red leaves again.” They invited me and I accepted it.    

Traditional Agricultural Knowledge about Amurri for pest management

“How I missed it? It is really effective against rice pest.” I was interacting with the senior farmers using Amurri plant to manage crop pest. Recently I have completed documentation of “Traditional Agricultural Knowledge related to pest management.” I have documented thousands of formulations but surprisingly I missed the knowledge about Amurri plant.

Few weeks back I was in dense forest for photography. The Traditional Healers as well as senior farmers were with me. When senior farmers see Amurri plant in forest they started collecting its leaves in bulk. “We will use it in management of Gram pod borer.” They informed.

When I visited their village few days later they were spraying fermented leaf solution in standing Gram crop. “Insects have yet not started the attack. It is preventive spray. It will repel the insects away.” They informed. I tried to smell the solution. “Hmm, if I am not wrong Fudhar is present in this solution. Fudhar i.e. Calotropis gigantea is itself very promising in pest management then why you are adding Amurri in it?” I questioned. 

“The proportion of Amurri is kept at higher side. We add Calotropis to increase the effect of Amurri. We have observed that in higher concentration as well as in quantity many times Calotropis solution damages Gram plants specially new ones.” They explained. It was new information for me. I am using Calotropis based solutions since long time not only in food crops but also in medicinal and aromatic crops. I have never noticed this problem in other crops. The senior farmers confirmed that they have seen the harmful effects in Gram only specially when leaf full of latex is used.

Few days after this application one morning I found clouds in sky. “These cloudy days are indicator that insect attack will start very soon.” The villagers say. I am aware of Blumea leaf beetle female. She waits for such cloudy days in winter. Within few hours you can find dark brown eggs on leaves. When these beetles were in my home laboratory I wait long for cloudy days but now when I see cloudy days, faces of worried farmers appear in my eyes.

In cloudy days like every year this year also pod borers attacked on crop. Farmers started using modern chemicals but they found that they were late. In fields of senior farmers Amurri solutions protected the crop from insects. I was amazed to see the results. Later I searched the database and listed the herbal formulations used in different parts of Chhattisgarh for successful management of this pest. I presented it to the senior farmers and suggested to use different formulations in different years. “We are already using different solutions in different years. Next year we will use it with Kumhi and then with Karra, Bhirra and Kya. Our problem is the decreasing availability of these wild trees. Earlier these trees were present in village and surroundings but now we have to travel far for collection of plant parts.” They informed.

“Why don’t you put your demand in front of forest department?” I asked. “It seems that they are against indigenous species. They have planted Eucalyptus trees in wasteland with Australian Acacia. Both trees are of no use for us. Earlier the wasteland was useful land as different types of grasses and sedges were growing. Our cattle were grazing it. Now due to effect of leaf litters of Eucalyptus and Acacia very few species grow in shade. Last year we selected another land for indigenous tree but authorities planted Jatropha curcas there. We are in much worry as dozens of children got affected due to Jatropha poisoning in nearby village where it has been planted many years back.” They said with pain.

“In such situation, best measure is to save the existing population of Amurri like indigenous trees. But it is not an easy task.” The Traditional Healers commented.  We know that to protect Traditional Agricultural Knowledge, to protect crops from pest existence of forest is must. The young generation fond of modern agrochemicals are not interested in protecting forest. We are in dilemma.

“Why you are worrying about all? You have done the great job of documentation. Let others take the responsibility of protecting forest. One person cannot do every thing.” My friends comment many times but I feel that I must do whatever I can do. I am aware that mere writing cannot save much forest. I must give sometime to become either politician or green lawyer.

I will prefer the second option.      

© Pankaj Oudhia