KalingaTV News Network
Sukinda: With an aim to preserve bio-diversity and traditional tribal knowledge of natural healing practices, medicinal saplings were planted at the herbal garden of Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) of Tata Steel here in Odisha on Friday.
As part of the third edition of Green Therapy Programme conducted by SCM, as many as 30 local tribal vaidyas (traditional physicians) planted around 200 saplings of 35 varieties of medicinal plants which they have been using for a long time.
The saplings planted include Jesthi madhur (Glycyrhiza glabra), Mutha (Cyperous rotundus), Shweata arka (Calotropis procera), Dudura (Datura metel), Indrajaba (Acalypha indica), Methi(Mentha spicata), etc. These plants have therapeutic properties and the intent has been to pass on the near-extinct knowledge of natural healing practices to the next generation.
The healing properties of the planted saplings can address ailments like cold and cough, dysentery, Asthma, Kidney problem, Joint pain, etc., claimed the tribal vaidyas.
In addition, tribal vaidyas and eminent scholars exchanged notes on various traditional medicines. The scholars included Dr. Pravarkar Pradhan, Assistant Professor, Utkalmani Gopalbandhu Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Puri and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Das, Scientist, Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Hepatobiliary Disorders, Bhubaneshwar among others.
Addressing the occasion, Dr Pradhan stated that such interactive sessions will enrich the repository of traditional and tribal knowledge of natural healing practices while protecting and preserving the rich bio-diversity of the state.
On his part, Mr R R Satpathy, General Manager, Operations, Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division, Tata Steel, said: “The third edition of Green Therapy has created more awareness on the subject among the communities and scholars. This platform will certainly help to further the cause of bio-diversity while promoting and protecting our traditional practices.”
Green Therapy Programme focuses on biodiversity and ethno-botanical traditions, and is a platform to create opportunities of learning through knowledge sharing sessions, documenting lesser-known or near-extinct practices, nurturing of plants with medicinal values and promoting traditional and tribal culture.
PRI members, Union office bearers of SCM union, other employees of Tata Steel, Tata Steel Rural Development Society unit head, local villagers, were present on the occasion.
The herbal garden at SCM is spread across 0.47 hectares which already has more than 20 varieties of medicinal plants like Neem, Bela, Ashoka, etc.
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