A team was formed with plant taxonomist, silviculturist, forester, biologist, and local herbal healers. Extensive field surveys were carried out for the last one and half year years (August 2011 to January 2013). Three relevant skilled persons from a local NGO, Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity (BNKS), were also involved in the team who interpret the local language of the tribal people.
2.1 Study Area The study was conducted among the Khumi, Marma and Tripura community of Thanchi upazila (longitude 21°78’ and latitude 92°42’) of Bandarban that is situated in the southeastern corner of Bangladesh. Marma is the most dominant IC in this area; other communities included are Khumi, Mro, Bawm, Chak, Tripura etc. Jhum (shifting cultivation or slash and burn cultivation) is the traditional method of crop production in this area. Livestock rearing also makes up a significant proportion of livelihoods of the communities. Numerous traditional, religious and cultural rituals and norms bind these societies together. Compared with the entire country, Thanchi upazila ICs suffer from a high proportion of extreme poverty, with very low food security, low supplies of safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, extremely low literacy rate.
2.2 Data Collection Species information was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire (including who, what, how, when, by whom and why the plants are used) through FGD, one to one discussions with the local THs. Simultaneously, more information was gathered from local knowledgeable persons, Buddhist monks, and elderly men and women. During FGD, the informants came on mostly used medicinal herbs and shrubs and then the information of local name, parts use, herbal use, preparation process, local status and measures taken to conserve each species were recorded. A particular plant was picked up and queries were made as to how it emerges to be useful for them. After finishing interview for one particular plant, a second plant was taken up and so on. The investigation was very effective and informative because of the fact that the information were collected and recorded through consultation with various indigenous communities such as Marma, Tripura and Khumi, who use these medicinal plants mostly and finally verified by various informants at different spots. Once the information on a particular plant was considered as reliable after repeated discussions, then its local name and uses were recorded. Most of the species were identified by the taxonomist of the study team. The unidentified species were preserved in the herbarium and identified by the taxonomists of Bangladesh National Herbarium, Department of Botany of Dhaka University, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences of Chittagong University. Direct filed visit in the hills, streams and forests were also conducted to gain knowledge in regards to the ecology, habitat and other important issues for all the species. The authenticity of information on each species was confirmed through repeated interviews. Prior Informed Consent (PIC) was taken from the knowledge providers before collecting information. Later, the compiled information was shared with them in their own local language.