A half day workshop with traditional healers of Meghalaya was help in the city on the 8th of July, 2015 at 10:30 am. The workshop was help at the MBDA Hall and was organised by The Meghalaya Institute of Natural Resources, an institute under the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) and the Central Institute of Medical and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow. The dais consisted of Chief Guest Shri. Y. Tsering, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya,, Dr. S. Ashutosh, IFS and Addl. PCCF, Government of Meghalaya, Dr. Karla, Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow and Dr. A. Kumar Tripathi, Director, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow.
The main objective of the workshop was to create a platform for all traditional healers in the state come together and share indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and their use. The workshop also presented an opportunity to document the practise of traditional medicine and to help protect and conserve it. The participants at the workshop included medicinal practitioners for around the state, students form Martin Luther University, NEHU scientists and other youths.
The opening speech was given by Dr. S. Ashutosh, IFS and Addl. PCCF and Dy. CEO of MBDA. In his welcome speech Mr. Ashutosh mentioned that “Meghalaya was not only rich in biodiversity and aromatic plants but also in traditional knowledge. The practise of traditional medicine is prevalent across the state.” He concluded that “this industry has huge potential for growth which would benefit the people and the state’s economy”.
The Chief Guest, in his speech fondly shared experience of how he had come across many people who had strong faith in traditional medicine rather than allopathic medicine. He was quick to point out that, “their lack of a degree or certification is not an indication of their lack of knowledge but rather goes to show that documentation is lacking.” He suggested that documentation of such practices was of paramount importance.
The session that followed was a presentation by Dr. A. K. Tripathi, Director of CIMAP. He gave a detailed presentation of all the documented medicinal and aromatic plants in Meghalaya.
The workshop concluded with a signing of a MoU between the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority. The MoU is a step towards the preservation and protection of the practise of traditional healers and medicinal and aromatic plants.