ETHNOZOOLOGICAL REMEDIAL USES BY THE INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS IN ADJOINING AREAS OF THE POBITORA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, ASSAM, INDIA

Objective: To comprehend the traditional knowledge on zootherapeutic remedies used by indigenous people inhabiting in adjoining areas of the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary located in the Morigaon district of Assam State, India.Methods: [d1]  The adjoining villages of this wildlife sanctuary are inhabited by different indigenous communities and tribal groups of which Nath community and Karbis constitute the main population. In the present study, field survey was carried out from October 2014 to March 2015 by performing personal interviews through semi-structured questionnaires and in some cases where respondents were uncomfortable with the questionnaires, informal interviews and group discussions were conducted with a total of 50 respondents (33 male and 17 female), who provided the information regarding various uses of animals and their products (local name of animal, mode of preparation, application, etc) in their traditional medicine.Results: A total of 26 ethnomedicinal animals and animal products that are used for the treatment of various ailments including asthma, jaundice, chicken pox, pneumonia, anemia, etc. were recorded. Some protected wild species like the golden jackal (Canis aureus), rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) and Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) were also mentioned to have important medicinal uses. The highest percentage of animals used for traditional treatment is mammals (~34.62 %) followed by fishes (~30.77 %) and birds (~15.38 %). Most of the information are generally provided by the elderly person in the age group above 50 y.Conclusion: The information on the remedial uses of different animals were collected from Nath community and Karbis who use a variety of zootherapeutic medicines for curing different ailments in their own ways. Such kind of information and documentation should be very helpful in the formulation of strategies on sustainable management and conservation of bio-resources so that the medicinal values of these traditional remedies would go a long way and may lead to novel drug(s) discovery.Keywords: Pobitora wildlife sanctuary, Traditional medicine, Zootherapy [d1]Check fon

Piscicidal plants of Northeast India and its future prospect in aquaculture - A comprehensive review

165-174Traditional knowledge and some indigenous techniques still serve as a reliable tool for harvesting resources from nature. Different species of plants (approx. 114) are used as piscicides by various people inhabiting Northeast India from a long period of time for fish harvesting purpose. The principle bioactive compounds present in the plant part (leaves, seed, kernels & bark) have varying potencies and mode of action depending on whether it is applied directly or in the forms of extracts (aqueous & alcohol) used. Aquaculture is one of the major sources of livelihood and protein in Northeast India. Although rich numbers of piscicidal plants are available, it cannot be commercially utilized in aquaculture unless detailed accounts of these plants are known. Bioactive compounds like saponins, rotenone, tannins, alkaloids etc. present in the plant may help to control the unwanted/predatory fish for healthy aquaculture. In the present review, the focus is given to all the plants used as a piscicide in Northeast India and its bioactive compounds, extraction medium, effective dose, test fish species and their biochemical, physiological and behavioural changes on some commercially important fish in India. Uses of herbal piscicides in aquaculture may help in replacing the harmful chemical piscicides of the environment

Piscicidal plants of Northeast India and its future prospect in aquaculture - A comprehensive review

Traditional knowledge and some indigenous techniques still serve as a reliable tool for harvesting resources from nature. Different species of plants (approx. 114) are used as piscicides by various people inhabiting Northeast India from a long period of time for fish harvesting purpose. The principle bioactive compounds present in the plant part (leaves, seed, kernels & bark) have varying potencies and mode of action depending on whether it is applied directly or in the forms of extracts (aqueous & alcohol) used. Aquaculture is one of the major sources of livelihood and protein in Northeast India. Although rich numbers of piscicidal plants are available, it cannot be commercially utilized in aquaculture unless detailed accounts of these plants are known. Bioactive compounds like saponins, rotenone, tannins, alkaloids etc. present in the plant may help to control the unwanted/predatory fish for healthy aquaculture. In the present review, the focus is given to all the plants used as a piscicide in Northeast India and its bioactive compounds, extraction medium, effective dose, test fish species and their biochemical, physiological and behavioural changes on some commercially important fish in India. Uses of herbal piscicides in aquaculture may help in replacing the harmful chemical piscicides of the environment

Ethnozoological study of animals based medicine used by traditional healers and indigenous inhabitants in the adjoining areas of Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India

Abstract Background India has an immense faunal, floral, as well as cultural diversity with many ethnic communities who are primarily dependent on the traditional medicinal system for their primary health care. Documentation and evaluation of this indigenous remedial knowledge may be helpful to establish new drugs for human health. The present study is intended to look into different zootherapeutic medicinal uses in the traditional health care system among the native inhabitants adjacent to the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India. Methods Field survey was carried out from March 2015 to August 2015 by personal interviews through semi-structured questionnaires. In some cases where participants were uncomfortable with the questionnaires, informal interviews and open group discussions were conducted with a total of 62 indigenous respondents (43 male and 19 female) who provided the information regarding various medicinal uses of animals and their products (local name of animal, mode of preparation, application etc). Results The study recorded a total of 44 different species, 44 genera and 36 families of animals which are used for the treatment of 40 different ailments. Insects occupied the highest uses (30.9%), followed by mammals (23.8%), fishes (16.7%), reptiles (11.9%), amphibians (7.1%), annelids (4.8%) and gastropods (4.8%). Further, some zootherapeutic animals i.e. cockroach (Periplaneta americana), praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) and earthworms (Metaphire houletti, Pheretima posthum) are used for the treatment of asthma, otorrhoea and cancer respectively. Conclusion The findings suggest that the traditional zootherapeutic remedial measures followed by the native people adjacent to Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary plays an important role in their primary health care. The documentation of this indigenous knowledge on animal based medicines should be very helpful in the formulation of strategies for sustainable management and conservation of bio-resources as well as providing potential for the novel drugs discovery