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Traditional Knowledge and Use of Medicinal Plants by the Patra Tribe Community in the North-eastern Region of Bangladesh

Md. Habibur Rahman
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Most. Jannatul Fardusi*
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Md. Sumon Reza
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An exploratory study was conducted on the traditional medical ethno-botany perception of the Patra tribe community living in and around the Khadimnagar National Park of North-eastern Bangladesh, to focus on the implications of healthcare using medicinal plants. The study indicates that the traditional medical system is well functioning in the area. A total of 33 households were assessed using different participatory appraisals through direct observation and semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 31 medicinal plant species belonging to 23 families were recorded with the help of tribal people of the area as mostly collected from the forest and were found to use for curing 55 ailments; ranging from simple headaches to highly complicated eye and heart diseases, including diabetes, jaundice, chickenpox, dysentery, constipation, teeth ache, cut and wounds, diarrhea etc. Study also revealed that majority of the species used by the local inhabitants was herbs (6 species) followed by trees (14 species), shrubs (8 species), and climbers (3 species). For curing ailments, the use of aboveground plant parts was higher (76%) than the underground plant parts (17%) among mainly used leaves, either taken orally or used externally. Homesteads (32%) are the primary source followed by forest (27%) and few medicinal plants are cultivated. Since this knowledge is handed down orally from generation to generation, there is a great possibility that the knowledge will be lost over time. The findings of the study conclude that the conservation of the indigenous knowledge of the Patra tribe regarding medicinal plants can help conserve the forest.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Indigenous knowledge, Healthcare, Sustainable use, Conservation, Bangladesh

Location: Khadimnagar National Park in North-Eastern Region of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-08-2010

End Date: 00-10-2010

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

Its aim was to assess plant-based ethnomedicinal practice and document indigenous knowledge of this vulnerable community person associated with it. The present report provides in-depth information on the plant species used by the Patra tribe community and documents their traditional knowledge and cultural practices which may be under threat due to the pressure of modernization.

Methodology:

The Study Area The study was conducted during August 2010 to October 2010 at Khadimnagar National Park; the area was purposely selected for the study considering that this is the most important tropical forests and protected area in the Northeastern region of Bangladesh, its unique geo-physical features and richness in biological diversity and dependency of people on it. The KNP is located at North Sylhet Range-1 (subdivision) in Sylhet Forest Division under tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen bio-geographic zone. Formerly known as Khadimnagar Reserve Forest, it was declared as KNP in 2006. The soil of this area is generally sandy-loam soil. One of the richest semi-evergreen hill forests of Bangladesh is located in this region. The area is situated between 23° 55´ and 25° 02´ north latitude and between 90°55´ and 92° 30´east longitude. Total area of the site is 679 ha, surrounded by three tea gardens and is submerged with several watersheds locally known as “chara”. The hills are generally low and gently sloping. Soil ranges from clay loams to pale brown (acidic) clay loams on the hills. Climate conditions are warm and humid. April and May are the warmest, and December and January are the coolest months. The tropical monsoon climate prevails in the area with average maximum temperature of 30.7⁰C and average minimum temperature of 18.9⁰C. The average annual rainfall is 3931mm, most of which falls between June-September.

Research Methods KNP was selected randomly because this area was inhabited mostly by the Patra community. We selected 5 villages (situated about 0-2 km away from the park area), namely Paikpara, Faringura, Bararhat, Darabazar and Kushirgul by multi-stage random sampling inhabited by both local and Patra community. The study began by preparing community profiles to learn details of the community. After that collected primary information from key informants, drew community maps, conducted transect walks, and engaged in focus group interviews. For properly gathering information seven focus group discussions were conducted to learn about the livelihoods and social conditions of the community. Out of five villages there are about 55 households and about 33 households were selected for interviews randomly. These samples may not be representative of the whole area, but do represent the selected villages. A semistructured questionnaire was used in household interviews. We interviewed mainly older men, women and experienced members from these households using a local guide in each site. Respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to ascertain the plant species and the parts used, for what diseases, the sources they prefer, the reasons for cultivating any plant and the involvement of younger generation in this regard. The plant species used for medicine were firstly identified by local names. The scientific names were obtained by consulting the literature. A final list of the species used for medicinal purposes was prepared based on the study by Dey. The collected information was analyzed, and correlation was made between different species of the medicinal plants in order to understand the pattern in medicinal plant uses and occurrences.

Source of Information: Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences 48 (3): 159-167, 2011

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The traditional medicinal practice and culture is alive and functioning well in the study area. In many of the tribal villages, the herbal drugs are the cheapest option and the only way for treatmenting different ailments. The study area is floristically rich with strong ethno-botanical traditions among the Patra community. Lack of sustainable use pattern, inadequate knowledge about forest management and constraint of financial resources are the main causes of over exploitation. Therefore, there is an utmost need for conserving and sustaining the use of these plants, which are part of traditional medical system practiced by local tribes residing in different areas of Bangladesh. Within the study area, most the medicinal plants are edible fruit bearers, planted for the seasonal fruits and not for medicinal purposes. Yet, the local communities depend on these plants for medicinal purposes and, thus, are extremely concerned about their extinction, as now they need to travel long distances to collect these plants. The medicinal plant used by the Patra tribes merit thorough phyto-chemical investigation regarding alkaloid extraction and isolation along with associated clinical trials. This could help in creating sound awareness regarding the need for conserving such plants and also in promoting the ethno-medico-botany knowledge within the region, and preservation and enrichment of the gene bank of such economically important species before they are lost forever. Thus investigation, coupled with clinical trials would increase confidence of traditional users and healers. The development of roads and enhancement of tourism in tourist these areas has allured the younger generations towards market economy; this certainly will have positive implications. Thus, Patras of the area are encouraged to plant medicinal species in their fallow land and uncultivable hilly terrains.

Knowledge Management: Journal