Pankaj Oudhia

Please don’t irritate and provoke wild elephants through Chili Crackers like techniques

“Please keep yourself in place of wild elephant. In forest there is no source of food left. You are hungry and waiting to enter in crop fields and raid village. At night you proceed to the spots, suddenly you feel uneasy. There is severe irritation in eyes and other body parts. You will stand for a while. Your friends following you will also wait for a while. Empty stomach is still sending messages to brain. Due to this incidence you are full of pain and anger. Now you will change the path as village is open having no boundary. You enter in village and due to anger destroy everything coming in front of view.” Few weeks back I was in human-elephant conflict zone of Chhattisgarh where experiments on Chili Crackers technique are in progress. The village children were giving these comments. The authorities are conducting different research using Chili, Tobacco and other irritants. They have uploaded videos in youtube. Their presentation is good but at ground level they are not getting success. They are wasting energy and time for this unnecessary experiment.

“So what should be done?” I asked to the children taking keen interest in discussion. “When there is not enough food in forest for them only then they raid villages and crop fields.” They said the bitter truth. Instead of injuring wild elephants in village boundary why the authorities are not diverting their effort to save the forest?

“Elephants are very intelligent animals. Far intelligent than us in wild. We are using Chili powder that is ancient tool. Elephants have sharp memory. They also take revenge. In such cases instead of using irritants there is need to search other alternatives.” The senior natives said.

In previous research articles I have written a lot on different aspects of Human-elephant conflict and quoted the remedial measures natives suggest. The authorities invest much to invite experts from different corners of India but never think of asking to natives facing this problem in day to day life. I am aware that natives have more promising solutions. They need support from authorities. “The authorities never involve common people in decision making. Why don’t you publish an advertisement in local newspapers and request the readers to suggest remedial measures. Declare that ten best entries will be rewarded.” I suggested in one meeting. Most of the participants showed positive response but still I am waiting for such advertisement. 

I always prefer to interact with children for such problems. They have amazing imagination power. Many times their suggestions help a lot to seniors in villages.

These days I am trying to document the Traditional knowledge related to wild elephant management. I am meeting to natives of all areas specially to senior natives. I am visiting to place where wild elephants were present earlier but now they have migrated to other places. Initial results clearly reveal that they have much information. I am expecting that after completion of this documentation work we can get much knowledge that can be used in field level.

“Wild elephants are living in our forest since time immemorial. I still remember the days when we were going to forest. The elephants were ignoring us. They were rarely coming to villages and crop fields but now when they see us in forest without any delay and warning they attack. We are no.1 enemy of this wild creature. Our faulty management techniques specially uses of fire crackers and irritants on them have created much gap between us. In my childhood when elephants were attacking the village we were simply using loud voices. But know villagers try to hurt it by every means.” The senior villagers of North Chhattisgarh said.

“We installed the Chili Crackers with the help of Bamboo sticks in possible path of entry and waited entire night. Next morning we found that Elephants changed the path.” The expert says in youtube video.  The villagers were aware of it since the beginning of experiments. But no one asked them about their comment.

I am aware that such baseless experiments will continue by wasting the hard earnings of common people unless constructive measure will be taken for permanent solution. Everyone knows about this permanent solution. And that is, protection of forest.  

Healing fumes of wild flower based powder for different diseases

“I have heard that someone is sick in your home. I have brought powder from Traditional Healer. Please burn it in patient’s room and spread the fumes all over.” I heard this voice from bed and asked my mother about it. I was eight year old and suffering from fever. “He lives in next Mohalla and when he heard about you he met the Healer and collected this powder. He is doing this social work from long time.” My Mother informed. When fumes started occupying all corners of my room I found it pleasant in smell. My Mother continued its use till I got rid from fever.

When interest generated inside me about Traditional herbs and healing I decided to meet the Healer. But unfortunately he was not there. “He passed away many years back without informing the contents of powder.” The person who brought powder for me informed.  Later when I started Ethnobotanical surveys I met hundreds of Healers giving such powder to patients suffering from different diseases. I documented their knowledge.

“This is a mixture of twenty six flowers. Kauha and Garun flowers have been added as main ingredients. Keep this powder in home and during rainy season burn it at evening and spread the fumes everywhere. It will keep your home safe from snakes, mosquitoes and other venomous creatures.” The Traditional Healers of Rajim region was giving instruction to visitors. “But snakes can be kept at bay with the help of Mahua seed cake. Burn it in home and snakes will never dare to enter. We are using it successfully.” My driver questioned to the Healer. “Yes you are right. Mahua seed cake is useful but this combination acts as germicide also. Your family members will remain free from diseases throughout winter. Mahua seed cake is not having this benefit.” The Healer replied.

“You can make this formulation more useful by replacing less effective flowers from it. The same formulation is used in many parts of Chhattisgarh for different purpose. You can also make it more useful by adding more flowers in it. Addition of Karra and Bhirha flowers is good specially when it is used for diseases common in summer.” I said. “You know much about this formulation. Yes, you are right.” The Healer replied.

“Please accept gift of three types of Medicinal Rice seeds from my side. Thanks for giving me time and sharing valuable knowledge.” I thanked to the Healer. “Oh, it looks like Bhejri rice. I was searching it from long time. I will multiply it next season and then return your seeds. I require it in treatment of many diseases. But due to non-availability I was using other less effective alternatives.” The Healer accepted it.

During recent surveys the Healers of Kanker region using same formulation interacted with me. “In case of old fever of unknown origin we suggest the patients to burn this powder. In this formulation we are keeping the proportion of Garun flowers at higher side.” They informed. “Are you aware that population of Garun tree is decreasing very rapidly in our forest? The natives collect its flowers and fruits and in this way prevent it to multiply. If you wish I can suggest you promising alternative of Garun flowers.” I replied.

“Yes, please tell us.” They said. “You can use the combination of Bahera and Neem flowers in this formulation in place of Garun flowers. You will find this combination more effective than Garun flowers.” I disclosed. They thanked me and promised to protect the existing trees of Garun and also plant new plants.

While preparing report titled “Traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs used for Extra-ordinary sexual performances in Indian state Chhattisgarh” the uses of such powder appeared many times in different contexts. I have added information on over 500 such powder used during and after treatment. The formulations burnt in powder form during sexual intercourse are not only sweet smelling but also its purpose is to fill the couples with new vigor. While treatment such powder are burnt in patient’s room during different parts of day and night.

Very recently a well known incense manufacturing company approached for promoting this concept. I introduced them to the Healers. “In any case you must not use the synthetic essence as ingredient. In such case we can not guarantee the effects. Our forest are rich source of ingredients require for your industry. It will be better if you think for long time and plant such trees in your own land.” They said everything openly. The entrepreneur showed interest in it. He wants to proceed one by one. As fist product he is focusing on incense for Insomnia patients.

When I am writing this article special powder for general health is burning and fumes are spreading every where. It is late night now and best time for industries to release pollutants in air secretly. Very soon the odd smell of pollutants will cover the city.

I am fortunate enough to get protection from it through healthy fumes coming out from herbal powder.    

© Pankaj Oudhia