Shillong, Dec 23: Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Meghalaya research node organized ‘Ethnopharmacology Conclave with Traditional Healers of Meghalaya’ on Thursday at 6th Mile, Upper Shillong. This conclave was organised under the on-going programme on “Bioeconomy from Bioresources with special reference to North Eastern Region of India”.The programme was addressed by Prof. Pulok K. Mukherjee, Director, IBSD, who briefed about importance of traditional medicines and knowledge available with traditional healers of the region. He mentioned that IBSD is actively involved in documentation, evaluation and scientific validation of traditional healer’s knowledge of this region.

Addressing the conclave as the Chief guest, Chief Executive Member, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Chairman of Khasi Traditional Medicine Commission, Titosstarwell Chyne, talked about the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011, which has several objectives including the Khasi Traditional Medicine Commission and the Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute. He appreciated this initiative of IBSD to bring together the different stakeholders and looked forward to collaborative activities with IBSD for the protection and promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine.

Many experts including Dr Neeta Mahesekar, Director, NEIAH, Shillong; Dr. H.C. Lyndem, Director, Directorate of Health Services (Research etc.), Govt. of Meghalaya; Dr. A.A. Mao, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata and Spasterlin Nongrem, Secretary, Seng Nogsumar Dawai Khasi Nylla also discussed their ideas for exploring traditional healer’s knowledge of Meghalaya and promoting traditional medicines in different context.

More than 30 traditional healers of Khasi, Jantia and Garo Hills of Meghalaya participated in the programme and interacted with resource persons for promoting traditional medicines and knowledge of this region.

On the occasion, IBSD released two booklets on cultivation and mass multiplication of ‘Swertia chirayita’ and ‘Valeriana jatamansi’.

IBSD is organising a series of such programmes to commemorate the 75 years of Independence as part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.