Reviving and Protecting Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (TK) of Tribes in Southern Rajastan Base Line Survey And Documentation of Traditional medical knowledge and Traditional food and nutritional practices Report Prepared By – Rashtriya Guni Mission (RGM) Udaipur-Rajasthan 1 Summary A village level survey study was conducted to cover 200 households of vardara, kotra and udawar villages. For collecting primary and secondary data from different sources the following tools and techniques were used – 1. 2. 3. 4. Interview Schedule for respondents. Observation by Investigators Informal discussion with other family members and neighbours. Desk review of secondary information Interview Schedule was designed and extensively discussed by the research team in view the basic objectives of the study and the major variables and parameters. The items of interview schedule were pre-coded requiring respondents only to check one of them. Teams of investigators did the work of data collection. They were given necessary training before they were sent in the field for collecting data. The coordinator and research officer duly supervised the work of investigators. The work of data processing was then taken up and on the basis of filled in interview schedules the master charts were prepared. The data analysis plan was designed in such a way that all possible errors during data processing would be excluded. The issues covered were the following Different tribes of the area and their cultural system / lifestyles.  Socio-economic conditions of the tribes.  Biodiversity of the area.  Documentation of traditional medical knowledge  Documentation of traditional food and nutritional practices Major findings of the survey are –  98% of the population is Below Poverty Line (BPL), 88% population has less than 3 bigha of land holding, 62% of the population has not received any formal education  Goat is the most preferred (68%) livestock followed by buffalo (48%) but the major source of livelihood is agriculture closely followed by wage labour  Average monthly income of majority of population falls between 1000 rupees per month to 3000 rupees per month, while average monthly expenditure is approx. 5000 rupees. Of which the major expenditure is on marriages, food and rituals.  Preparation of home remedies is largely done by male members of the family. Only about 10% females know how to prepare home remedies. As a general trend the villagers do not sell their medicines. It was found that only four people gave medicines to people outside their family. On an average each of those four treated about 20 – 21 patients per month. 2  Most common forest produce are the following – custard apple, Jamun, mango, dolma, ratanjot, mahua, baheda, Amla, wood, honey, puwad, ritha, khakhara, semal, baans, temaru, karanj, amaltas, bilb, salar, jadi-butiyan (all local names) Identification of Bio-resources – the bio-resources such as plants for medicine, food, etc. have been be identified that are being extinct due to over exploitation. It is important information to prioritize requirements for their survival. These identified bio-resources have been registered in Village biodiversity Registers (VDR) with local democratic institutions – Gram Sabha (village council) that will provide them benefit sharing and ownership on bio resources since being commercially used by private/ public sector. 3 Chapter 1 1.1 Introduction The tribal population is an integral part of India’s social fabric and has the second Largest concentration after that of the African continent. It is more than the total Population of France and Britain and four times that of Australia. The population of tribal communities scheduled in the Constitution of India and known as Scheduled Tribes (STs) was 8.43 crore (1 crore = 10 million) as per 2001 census and accounts for 8.2% of the total population. 4.26 crores are men and 4.17 crores are women, accounting for 8.01% and 8.40% respectively. They are scattered over all the states/UTs, except Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and the UTs of Pondicherry and Chandigarh. Tribal’s have traditionally lived in about 15% of the country’s geographical areas, mainly forests, hills and undulating inaccessible terrain in plateau areas, rich in natural resources. They have lived as isolated entities for centuries, largely untouched by the society around them. This seclusion has been responsible for the slower growth, dissimilar pattern of their socio-economic and cultural development and inability to negotiate and cope with the consequences of their involuntary integration into mainstream society and economy. Tribals continue to be socio-economically backward. 1.2 About the present study The present study has been carried out to understand the lifestyles of different tribes of the project area, their dietary habits, medicinal system, livelihood patterns of tribe’s vis-à-vis to their socio-cultural system. In addition the information pertaining to the ways of procuring minor forest products and how do they manage during difficult days and at special occasions were sought while giving special focus on the biodiversity of the area. The outcome of such studies helps to understand the existent health related problems and associated factors responsible for the same so that future planning can be done keeping the lacunas in mind. 1.3 Objective of the survey  To identify socio-cultural systems of tribal and scientifically document Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) 1.4 Material and Methods The present data has been collected from the Kumbhalgarh Block of Rajsamand district. Three villages namely Varadhara, Kotra and Udawar were selected purposively on basis of the distance from Primary Health Center (PHC). Initially, the census of the selected villages was conducted to obtain information on age, sex, literacy, occupation, land-holding, and family size. After this, 100 households/ families from each village were selected in such a way that it may represent the entire village. These families were interviewed in-depth to understand their traditional medicinal practices and associated habits 4 Data for the study was gathered in April 2012. Apart from this, their livelihood pattern was also inquired. Though there was a structured schedule with a set of questions yet clarifications were made whenever required. In addition, the key people of each village such as guni, (local healer), Sarpanch and teacher etc. were interviewed to obtain supportive information. Focus Group discussion Further, in the selected villages, focus group discussions and interviews with key informants conducted to identify the THPs if any in their village or neighboring villages within the block. The analysis of data was undertaken through computer to draw comparison and inferences, chapertization and analysis. 1.5 Important limitation 1. The most important limitation of this study lies in the difficulties of communication which were inevitable. 2. The communication between the researcher and the villagers went through many filters. 5 CHAPTER 2 Review of Literature The term tribe is derived from the Latin word 'tribes' meaning the 'poor or the masses'. In English language the word 'tribe' appeared in the sixteenth century and denoted a community of persons claiming descent from a common ancestor, this chapter attempts to give an insight into the tribal studies in India. 2.1 Health Care among Tribal’s of Rajasthan The strategy a person chooses for the treatment of his or her illness or that of a relative depends on personal experiences and preferences. The tribal response to health problems reveal a multiple and simultaneous usage of home remedies and multiple therapy depending on the cultural logic based on medicine of body fluids and supernatural dimensions. The various practitioners whose services are sought are spiritist (Bhopa), traditional herbalist (GUNI) and public health practitioners. In Rajasthan the indigenous healers (separatists and herbalists), though very popular lack official status as Amchi – practitioners of Tibetan medicine in Ladakh were settled upon (Bhasin,1999) The traditional medical system of tribal’s is based on personalistic tradition of supernatural healers (Bhopa) and herbalists (GUNI) and their ministrations. These traditional healer diviners operate within a religious paradigm, with no printed or written material to conform or support the tradition .It is assumed that these are sanctioned by their religion but with no proof. This system works on the individual healer’s methods, reputation and performance. The indigenous medicine system has continued in society’s social cultural complexes through deeply rooted processes. It is a set of concepts of health and sickness that reflect certain values, traditions and beliefs based on people’s way of life. It is a “constant process of conformity to contemporary psychological needs within are created cultural identity”(Wijsen and Tanner,2001). LeviStrauss (1967) description of the Shaman and his healing techniques shed light on the relationship between process and consequences of healing. The “Shaman provides a language (p.198) and like psychoanalyst, allows the conscious and unconscious to merge.” This he achieves through a shared symbolic system and curing of one sick person improves the mental health of the group. 2.2 Tribal Studies in India The Indian tribal society is a unique society with diversity of nature and people. In our country, known for the extreme poverty of the masses, the tribals constitute the core of the poor. Poverty, poor health and sanitation, illiteracy and other social problems among the tribals are exerting a dragging effect on the Indian economy. The Five Year Plans formulated the implementation of a series of investment-backed schemes and projects for the betterment of the conditions of the tribals living in the rural and urban areas. Many of the tribes with their forest-dwelling culture do not have the motivation or the skill of settled cultivation. As a result, their land has been alienated to their better endowed tribal neighbours or non-tribals. There have been many tribal studies in India based on tribal economy, land alienation, socio-economic development, tribal culture etc. It is highly imperative to have a look at these tribal studies by various Anthropologists, Research scholars, etc. 6 A new trend in ethno methodology which came during the British period was a theory propounded by Vemer Elwin (1943)' who suggested that tribals should be kept isolated in their hills and forests. Elwin's theory is known in social anthropology as 'public park theory'. He suggested that ordinarily the nontribal people should not be allowed to enter into tribal pockets without permission of the state government. This system would guarantee the isolation of the tribals. G.S. Ghurye ( 1 9 4 3 ) ~ contested the theory of public park. He argued that the tribals were nothing more than backward caste Hindus. They should be treated at par with the Hindus. Following Ghurye's argument, D.N. Majumdar ( 1 9 4 4 ) ~ took a slightly different position. His suggestion was that the cultural identity of the tribals as far as possible should be retained. He feared that if the isolation was broken the tribals would lose their ethnic identity. To maintain it, he hypothesized that there should be 'selected integration' of the tribals. While spelling out, he argued that not all the elements of civilization should be allowed to enter the tribal area. Only those which have relevance with tribal life should be permitted into such area. Such a policy would keep the tribals away from the vices of urban life. Verma (1959- 1960)' has discussed the socio-cultural organizations of the Sanria paharias, Mal- paharias and Knmarbhag. He has examined various phases of the tribal life, pregnancy and birth, puberty, widow remarriage, place of women in the society, religion, village council and institutions. N.N. Vyas ( 1 9 6 7 ) ~ presents the historical, social and economic life of the Baniyas ofRajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat. Vyas thus points out the differences in customs and practices of the Baniyas of different States. This study has a good comparative background, still it has a limitation like unsuitability of the methodology. Nirmal Kumar Bose (1 977),12 gives some insight into the tribe's social life. "Tribes differ from others in their social system. They have retained their own marriage regulation. Almost all marry within their restricted local group, and are sometimes guided by their own elders or political chief in internal and external affairs. In other words, they form socially distinct communities who 26 have been designated as tribes and listed in the Schedule for special treatment, so that within a relatively short time they can come within the mainstream of political and economic life if India". L.C. Mohanthy (1989),~' has remind us of the urgent necessity of evaluating how far tribals have improved their economic-conditions and how far they have been integrated into the larger Indian society. He believes that giving tribals full freedom to manifest their genius will help their integration. S.L. Doshi ( 1 9 9 0 ) ~ who has conducted researches on the Bhils of south Rajasthan, argues that in ancient India the tribals did not constitute the core of society. They were always marginalized. Though 7 there are no accounts of their collective identity, it is stated that they practiced a pastoral life characterized by animism. They were, by and large, a classless stateless society. Buddudeb Chaudhaudi's (ed.) (1 992)" ' Tribal Transformation in India', in five volumes, is a collaborative effort of Indian scholars to capture the changing tribal scenario and a whole diversity of issues related to tribal economy, agronamy, politics, ethnicity, ecology, education, technology transfer, social political movements, religious faiths and rituals in an indigenized, yet more articulate framework, with both diagnostic and remedial models. With the latest conceptslresearch tools in anthropology and related disciplines, the authors make a fresh look at micro and macro level dynamics of the tribal situation in India. S.R. Bakshi and Kiran Bala (2000 )'O presents the sociol-economic status of several scheduled tribes inhabiting in various regions of our sub-continent. Their life-style, customs and traditions are quite different from the population in our rural and urban areas. In fact 'they live in their own world'. Their social backwardness has been assessed at various levels and schemes have been launched for the education of their children, to provide them health facilities and jobs for their daily needs. Though there are studies on various tribes and their socio - economic development, yet several aspects like the traditional system of medicine are still undocumented and their overall development on the basis of human development indices has not been analysed so far. So the researcher hopes that the present study will fill the gap in the literature. 8 Chapter 3 Findings of the Survey 3.1 Area profile The present project is located in Khumbalgarh block of Rajsamand district. Kumbhalgarh block is about 85 km from Udaipur located at 251.1 meters altitude. The study covered Varadhara, Kotra and Udawar villages from the Khumbalgarh block of Rajsamand district. The selected area is declared as schedule area under the fifth and sixth schedule of the Indian constitution which provides special safe guards to protect community intellectual property rights over natural resources. Climate - The area of moderate and healthy climate without significant seasonal variations. January is the coldest month while May-June is hottest months. The maximum and minimum temperature recorded has 50 and 490 , the area exhibit semi arid and sub humid climate with short duration of monsoon. Soils type – The soil on hills are shallow. Well drained gravelly soil (35-60% gravels). The depth of soil is 8-10 cum. These are severely eroded and suitable for grass land and agro forestry. However the soils of pediments are moderately deep to deep well drained dark brown, sandy clay loams to clay loam soils on gently slope with slight risk of erosion. Soils along the course of rivers / streams are deep to very deep, well drained, sandy loam to loam, slightly affected with solidity. Organic and carbon contents are low. The soils on pediment could be cultivated for rain fed Kharif crops while these can be put under cropping during Rabi, with assured irrigation facilities. Rainfall - The average annual rainfall is 670mm. (maximum 950 mm. minimum 350 mm) of the area which is distributed mostly in the month of June-July and August. But during the last 4-5 years, the rainfall has been much less than the average. Present condition of the area as severe in terms of drought which is affected mainly agriculture and animal husbandry. Land use and Agriculture - Rainfed farming is in practice. The agriculture production depends on timely and sufficient occurrence of rainfall. The Major crops of the area are Maize and Jawar in Kharif season and Rabi seasons Wheat and Mustard. Generally most of the farmer able to take only one crop in a year during Kharif season as agriculture, which is dependent on the rain. The farmers are using local varieties of seeds during sowing. The Vegetable crops like brinjal, Chilli, etc. also grown but it all depend on availability of water sources. Water Resources - The main sources of households’ water in the region are wells and hand pumps but majority of them are in a dysfunctional state. Government water supply is completely absent, Ground water level going down due to over digging of rock phosphate mines. Surface water resources of the area are represented by the streams and Small River, which dried since last 4-5 year due to severe drought. 9 3.2 Demographic profile of the area VILLAGE HOU TOTAL TOT NAME SE POPULA AL HOL TION MAL DS E TOTA L FEMA LE POPU LATI ON ST MAL E ST FEMALE TOTAL ST POPUL ATION 0-6 Vardara Kotra 202 96 917 483 448 244 469 239 442 483 216 244 226 239 196 75 Udawar 142 679 354 325 592 309 283 176 The average size of the family is 6.4. The difference in family size of three villages has not been found to be significant. Twenty percent of the families have 7-8 members and nearly 10% of the families between 11-12 members in all three villages. This information indicates the number of mouths to feed. Houses of both the villages are kaccha hut type consist of generally one room, kitchen and verandah. Education level Female literacy rate is almost zero while the 5% male tribals of the villages have received highest education up to secondary class. 32% of men and women have received highest education upto primary level, while 62% of men and women have received no formal education. Out of this 62%, the majority of illiterates were women. Source of livelihood More than 90% of the tribal populations of the three villages are primarily involved in agriculture. Only about 5 % of the population are engaged in occupation other than agriculture, cultivator or as agriculture labor. They are completely dependent upon the rain water for irrigation. 10 Agriculture on land owned by household Agriculture on land belonging to others 94 50 Herders Own livestock 0 1 Wage labour Business/Trade Employed/Salaried 91 1 2 Other, Missing response 1 1 Due to poor irrigation means, they take only one crop in a year on which they survive for the entire year. The chief crops which they grow in their fields are ‘Maize’, ‘Urd’, ‘Tuar’ and ‘Moong’. Besides, the seasonal vegetables are grown in the kitchen garden. Both male and female members of the families work in agriculture field from sunrise to sunset. The wages are also earned by them through various other means. The size of land possessed by them has been ascertained. It was found that average land per household of village is around 2 to 3 bighas. Nearly cent per cent tribals of the three villages possess land below 5 bighas. It may be mentioned that the land size owned per household and in turn the crop yield is not significantly different which can reflect any variation among population of three villages. 11 As regards agriculture is concerned, the tribal’s have very small land holdings.  The average size of their land has been estimated to approximately 2-3 bighas.  Total irrigated land held by the Gametis is approximately 18%  The non irrigated, stony and undulated land is approx. 82% There are no industrial units in the neighboring areas which could have supported livelihoods of people to some extent. Agriculture and daily labor are the major source of livelihood. Women equally share the economy of a household. In the absence of sources of livelihood, this tribal group is again forced to resort to migration. The general trend is that the whole family migrates for several months. Thus during the migration period almost whole of the village is empty. 12 Livestock The cows, bullocks, popular birds and goats are reared to enhance their income. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the total animal population, but the proportion of animals like cows, bulls has fallen, these are those animals which are not given stall feeding. But the proportion of animals like buffaloes has increased, in this region buffaloes are generally provided stall feed. Moreover, the proportion of small animals which can be taken for feed to long distances like the goat has risen. At present 68% of the total population owns goats. 13 Household Assets The past few years have seen the weakest sections of the society make gains in their material wellbeing, acquiring assets such as cell phones, televisions and two-wheelers, though almost whole of the population of scheduled tribes (ST) continue to live by the light of the humble kerosene lamp, much more than the national number of 31 per cent. Takes from the above Economically the tribal people in the villages are very poor. The area has a number of socio-economic problems: I. II. III. Money lending along with alcoholism The marketing of minor forest produce is done through middle men and agents so that the tribal do not get any benefit. There is no processing industry for the minor forest produce. After obtaining the above preliminary information, the detailed information from both male and female members of the families was sought pertaining to the income-expenditure pattern, food consumption pattern, associated habits, beliefs and taboos vis-a vis to their socio-cultural pattern. 14 Average annual income The majority (72%) of the study population was found to be earning an average annual household income between 12000 – 36000 INR. This suggest that the average monthly income of the 72% households was between approximately 20 to 60$ per month. As per the World Bank - India Data Profile, 2003 - 29% of the population lives below the poverty line; 70% of these people reside in rural areas 86% of the population lives under $2 per day; 44% lives under $1 per day . The graph here displays this sad face of the poor tribal of kumbhalgarh, the present average annual income is even lower than national tribal average of Rs 40,753 in 2003. The major sources of income are 100 80 60 40 20 Wage labour , 74 Agriculture , 68 Forest produce , 83 0 15 Annual Expenditure pattern The above chart suggests that the major potyion of their expenditure was on food (41%) followed by ritual (25%). Another important item on which their heavy expenditure (17%) was involved on was marriage and other such expenditures. They were found to be spending no amount on entertainment and only 2% on children’s education. However a breakup of the total expenditure in Rupees shows an even worse picture. It has been earlier mentioned that the average annual household income of 72% people was between 12000 to 36000 Rs. whereas the table below suggest that the average annual expenditure of a general household far exceeded the average annual income. The table suggests that in general a household was spending about 82988 Rs. Per year. This clearly indicates that the households are deeply immersed in the burden of debt in order to meet out their expenditures Item Rs. Food 33033 Cloth 4617 Medicine 6457 Children’s education 1625 16 Alcohol etc. 3378 Rituals 19578 Marriage, child birth, etc. 14300 Major forest produce collected Natural Resources Status in the Project Villages area (Kumbhalgarh) This aspect of the study was carried out through interviews and meetings with small group of villagers in the sanctuary. This group included respondents who were Guni, agriculturalist, livestock rearers and old people. The status of resource availability, its use and reason for depletion, the plant species preferred for fodder, fuel, NTFP and the historical means of resource management the area. The main objective of this exercise was to know the past and present status of all species of utility value to the local people, the reasons if any for the loss or low availability and the means of reducing the threats. Overall scenario showed use of tree species as fuel wood and small timber, but major concern was on Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill. & Perr., Acacia catechu L. f. Wild., Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees, and Albizia odoratissima (L. f.) Bth. that were highly abundant in this PA, but increase in population has put excessive pressure on these species, which has resulted in drastic reduction in their population. PAST AND PRESENT AVAILABILITY OF FOREST RESOURCE Based on the village survey it was evident that most of the species as per the peoples’ response were available in abundance or moderate level earlier but the present scenario shows drastic reduction in their numbers, and has reached to the moderate and low levels. Reason behind this decline could be attributed to rapid human population growth, which had led to heavy economic growth and finally resulted in increased pressure in the form of over exploitation of the natural resources. One of the major threats, stated for decrease was forest fire, which is mostly due to human induced and rarely natural, but sometimes also due to traditional or cultural practice. Most of the villagers were well aware of the bad effects of fire on the ecosystem and previously had joined hands to prevent this hazard but presently showed less concern over this issue, which has resulted more efforts to be made by forest department to put off the fire. Overall three villages were surveyed for indigenous knowledge data collection. Again this information was gathered to assess and know the general view and assumption of the villagers about their surroundings and natural resources, which would be helpful in preparing a suitable conservation plan for this sanctuary. 17 1. Fuel Wood Availability In total 13 species of trees were used by two villages present inside the sanctuary, the availability of which was high to moderately abundant 25 year back. The present status of Anogeissus latifolia and Albizia odoratissima showed very low abundance; therefore villagers have shifted to Wrightia tinctoria, Dendrocalamus strictus and Boswellia serrata that were moderately abundant 25 years back and presently used as fuel wood in these villages. Availability of Species used as Fuel Wood – Indigenous Knowledge of Project Villages (Kumbhalgarh) S.No Species No .of Respondents 25yrs Back Present Abundant Moderate Low Abundant Moderate Low 1 2 Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 4 Albizia odoratissima (L. f.) Bth. Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill. & Perr 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 5 6 7 Anogeissus pendula Edgew. Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Cocls. Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Hrrrill 1 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 10 Miliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) Sinclair Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 12 Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. Tamarindus indica L. 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 13 Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br. 2 0 0 2 0 0 8 9 J. Fodder Resources Availability Villagers preferred agriculture residues as well as grass collected from the forest as fodder resource for their livestock and the availability of these fodder species was abundant to moderately abundant 25 years back. The villages said, presently agriculture residues, grass from the forest as well as cultivated fodder has decreased. Reason behind the reduction could be overgrazing and frequent fire which has impeded the growth of other species that has led to less availability of these resources. 18 Status of fodder resource availability in project area villages in Kumbhalgarh S.No Resource Use No .of Respondents 25yrs Back Present Abundant Moderate Low Abundant Moderate Low 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 2 Agri Residue Cultivated Fodder 3 4 Leaves Forest Grass-Forest 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 5 Grazing Intensity 0 1 0 0 0 1 Availability of Minor Forest Produces - Indigenous Knowledge of Project Villages Kumbhalgarh S.No Species 1 Acacia catechu (L. f.) Willd Local Name Katha, Kath, Khair Habit Tree Uses Fuel wood, Small timber Small timber Fuel wood, Small timber Fruits, -Medicinal plants 2 3 Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del Acacia senegal (L.) Willd Desi Bawalia Kumatiyo,Kumbat Tree Tree 4 Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr Bel Tree 5 6 Albizia odoratissima (L. f.) Annona squamosa L Benth. Kali Charas Sitaphal, Sarifa Small Tree Small Tree Small timber Fruits 7 Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. exGuill. & Perr. Dhao Tree Fuel wood, Small timber 8 9 10 Anogeissus pendula Edgew Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Cocls. Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub Dhok, Dhao Salar Khankhera Tree Tree Tree 11 Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew Ker Small Tree Fuel wood Fuel wood Medicinal plants, Fuel Wood Small Tree 12 Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees Bans Grass Tree 13 Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb Timru Tree 14 15 Grewia flavescens A. Juss Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Kali siali Jhingan, Godla Shrub Tree Fuel wood, Small timber Fruits, -Medicinal plants Medicinal plants Fuel wood 19 Merrill 16 Kari, Kirua Tree 17 Miliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) J. Sinclair Phyllanthus emblica L Amala Tree 18 19 Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC Karanj Vilayati 20 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Jamun Tree Small Tree Tree 21 Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb Bahera, Deshi Badam Tree Medicinal plants 22 Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br. Karu, Kerni Tree Fuel wood Fuel wood, Small timber Fruits, -Medicinal plants Seed Fuel wood, Small timber Fruits, -Medicinal plants Food Consumption Pattern and Associated Habits Efforts were made to observe the food consumption pattern of the survey population, their various ways of obtaining food including the associated habits, beliefs and notions. Besides, information on special and selective foods taken by them during pregnancy, lactation, illness including festivals and ceremonies were sought. Also the information regarding change in food intake during different seasons and lean days were obtained. The local key peoples such as teachers, leaders, sarpanch and doctors were also interviewed to seek supportive information. The diet of the tribal’s primarily consists of cereals and pulses. Seasonal vegetables and fruits are also consumed if grown/available in the field/forest. Milk & milk products and Sugar, are observed to be almost absent from their daily diet. However the consumption of ghee/oil was also observed to be poor. Food distribution among family members The graph below suggests that the children are given priority and they get to eat first in the majority of households, on a positive note there is no significant gender discrimination with regards to the distribution of food. 20 Common foods used by the people The diets of Gamati ,bhils of both the villages primarily consist of cereals and pulses. However, rich tribal eat wheat and rice comparatively more. Intake of vegetables compared to pulses was low. Hardly any respondent of these villages told that they consumed milk despite they domesticate buffaloes and cows. The consumption of sugar is almost absent from their routine diet. Although all the tribals are non-vegetarian and extremely fond of consuming fleshes of animals and birds, yet its consumption is limited to only ceremonial and festival days. The tribals of the present study told that they are not able to have square meals a day from available forest produce and crops as they took only one crop per year because of poor irrigation means. The capacity of bhils is very limited to purchase of any edible items or otherwise. In order to purchase petty things like oil, sugar and salt, tribals had to sell: (1) a portion of the cereal grains or pulses (2) jungle woods (3) Desi Ghee prepared at home and honey gathered from the forest. This indicated the extent of purchasing power and economic conditions. In this connection, not even a single respondent had admitted that they could afford to buy the basic essentials such as cereals or pulses or vegetables even when they had nothing to eat. During crisis, they depend upon forest products to survive. Wheat, rice and non-vegetarian dish are considered to be socially prestigious. The tribal prefer to consume these at each festival and ceremony along with the indigenous liquor, ‘Mahua’. The liquor is such an integral part of tribe’s life that every rite and ritual from womb to tomb begins and ends with it. 21 Wheat porridge with ‘Gur’, ‘Coconut’ and ‘Desi Ghee’ is believed to be nutritious and is given to newly delivered women for initial few days. It is apparent from the findings that the quality and quantity of food consumed is largely depend upon the availability and deficient in all essential elements like protein, fat, sugar and vitamins. Factors that determine food availability and consumption in the households Seasonal availability and food cost were found to be the most important factors to determine consumption pattern in the households. 1. Cooking Practices: Food is cooked traditionally on Chulla in earthen vessels. It was done with a belief that food does not get spoiled in these vessels. Food is generally cooked twice in a day. It was commonly observed in both the villages that water used for drinking or cooking is generally kept uncovered. The concept of hot and cold foods is deep-rooted among them. Cold foods are strictly avoided in winter and vice versa are also true. 2. Food Consumption Pattern: a) Eating Practices: Normally, food is eaten twice daily, on around 11-12 a.m. and Another in the evening before it gets dark and in total privacy. During the day time, family members ate whenever they feel 22 hungry. At evening when all the family members are together, children irrespective of sex, get priority followed by men. It was interesting to note that couple never shared food in the same plate. As told, it is not always that full share is left for the house lady. Of course, it was more or less related to the economic condition of the family. b) Alcoholic Practices: Drinking of indigenous liquor, ‘Mahua’, was a popular practice among the tribals. Men were found to be habitual drinker and consumed almost daily in a good measure, while the women consume occasionally and during festivals and ceremonial days. The liquor is locally prepared by them on an improvised distillery. It is worth mentioning that drinking ‘Mahua’ among them is not mere a habit. It has high ritual sanctity to the extent that their every rite and rituals starts from womb to tomb by offering liquor and ends with offering liquor to gods, goddesses and consuming the same too in good measure. c) Food on different occasion: Apart from the influence of season whatever little may be in their routine diet; the choice of food was largely determined by their cultural practice and existed beliefs. Certain foods were socially prestigious while others were treated as neglected food. Almost every respondent regarded wheat; rice and no vegetarian diet are the best food and energy giving and nutritionally had high values. d) During pregnancy & lactation: No special foods are being consumed during pregnancy. However, few foods such as fishes, chilies, full liquor, papaya are tabooed socially as these are considered to be hot and may abort the fetus. Strongly odoured foods (‘Amla’, ‘Dhania’) are also prohibited as it caused nausea. Soon after delivery, women are preferably given wheat porridge at least for initial seven days. ‘Gur’, ‘Desi Ghee’ and ‘Coconut’ are added to make it more energetic though the fact cannot be denied that its provision is largely related to the economic condition of the family. List of local Traditional food and nutritional Practices Name of Products 1 BATTISA Nutritional / Medicinal Properties Given as a tonic to Lactating women for uterus prolapse, , Induce Lactation; to treat Leucorrhoea, Joint Pain, Anaemia Used PLant with its parts Used other raw Products Withania somnifera (Root) Cu Jaggery + Ghee+ Wheat flour Aspapragus racemosus (Root) Cu Chlorophytum borivilianum (Root) Cu Asteracantha longifolia (Seeds) Ma Trigonella foenum-graecum (Seeds) Cu Butea monosperma (Gum) La Anogeissus latifolia (Gum) La Areca catechu(Fruit) Ma 23 Zingiber officinalis (Dried Rhizome) La Trachyspermum ammi (Seeds) La 3 Rab, Rabri Grue prepared from Maize Grains(Zea mays) bulgur Curd or Butter milk+ Salt coarsely ground grain La and salted Butter milk, A very popular staple food/ dish eaten by local community 4 Mogar Laddu Urad Grains (Vigna mungo)La Jaggery+ Ghee+ Wheat flour Used during winter Angeissus latifolia (Gum) La by both men & Prunus amygdalus (Seed Kernel)) women as a tonic or Ma for Debility Anacardium occidentale (Kernel) Ma Access to adequate safe drinking water (within 1.5 kms distance) Well were found to be the main source of water, however, due to continuous failure of monsoons since past two years, the ground water level has fallen down drastically. 24 Person responsible for fetching water when not on the premises Diseases associated with drinking contaminated water With the depletion of resources of water supply, there has also been deterioration in the quality of water supply. Lower the water level, less is the availability of safe drinking water and higher is the possibility of falling sick. It was found that a large percent of people reported the problem of diarrhea (69) and cholera (49) being common in their region. The graph below gives a clear picture of the diseases which the respondents associate with drinking contaminated water. 25 The seasonal diseases occurring in the villages is malaria, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, pneumonia, jaundice, eye disease, skin disease, intestinal parasites, ear problem, joint pains, kidney stones, poisonous bites and fractures. The chronic diseases are TB, cancer, asthma, piles, leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. The public health facility is not available in the village. Manner in which the family protects itself from the common diseases Local remedies known for common health problems? It was found that there was knowledge of local remedies for common health problems such as Anemia, Burns, Child Delivery, Cold, Cough, Cuts and wounds, Dental Problem, Diarrhea, Eye Problem, Ear 26 Problem, Fevers, Food Poisoning, Fracture and Bone Setting, Head ache, Indigestion, Jaundice, Joint Pain, Kidney Stone, Menstrual Disorders, poisonous bites, Skin conditions, Stomach Ache, White discharge, Worm infestation, piles and Asthma/ARI. It was shared by the respondents that more men as compared to women were involved in preparation of the local remedies. The table below gives the number of people (age wise) who are involved in preparation of local remedies. However, only 5 people were found to be providing these medicines outside the family. And out of these 5 people only 4 maintained a record of cases treated. The family member who prepares the local remedies? Item Male of Age Who in your 15-30 = 3 family knows to 31-45 = 5 prepare local 46-60 = 4 Female of Age 15-30 = 1 remedies? 60 and above = 2 31-45 = 2 46-60 =3 60 and above = 11 Information about people who prepared the local remedies No. of people who prepared local remedies 31 No. of people who sold/provided medicines to people outside 5 their family No. of people who maintained a record / documentation of 4 cases treated No. of people who acquired this knowledge from elders 30 within the family No. of people who acquired this knowledge from gurus 3 (teachers) outside the family No. of people who have participated in any capacity building 4 trainings Local Traditional medicine Formulations S.No. diseases Ingredients 1. Swet PradarRaktha Pradar Ardiya Limbu & Khata 50m gms. Of juice of both the ingredients in the morning & evening this will cure the disease. 2. Eye diseases Khakra root extract Essence through distillation & pour 2 drops in eyes. It with check the water Kand use 27 flow from eyes & will boost eye sight. 3. Tooth Ache Mirchia Kand Keep a small picec of Mirchia Kand under teeth 4. Fever Nami leaves 5 gm Powder of Nami leaves should be taken with luke warm water in case of fever 5. Loose Motion Ajmod 1 gm Prepare powder & use with curd one spoon in the morning & evening. Moch Ras 1 gm Adrak 1 gm Dhay Ke Phool 1 gm 6. Kanth Mala Kalihari Ki Root Apply this Root by making a paste in Cow-Urine 7. Stomach-ache Badi Harad 1 gm Grind all ingredients & prepare pills. Use one pill each in the morning & evening with water. Amaltaas 1 g Sochar Salt ½ gm List of Medicinal plants found in the project area which are being used by guni and local community for primary health care is as follows S. No. Botanical Name Local Name Disease in which used 1. Pterocarpus marsupium Vijaisar Manorrhagia, Diabetes (Bark) 2. Alistonia scholaris Saptaparni High blood pressure, fever (Leaves) 3. Artocarpus heters Kathal Diarrhoea (Root), Laxative (fruit) 4. Butea monosperma Khakhara Leucorrhoea (Flowers) 5. Stereospermum spp. Padhal Tonic (Root) 6. Mangifera indica Aam Dysentery (Bark) 7 Mimusops etengi Molshree Dysentry (fruits) 28 8. Acacia catechu Kher Manorrhagia (Bark) 9. Ficus religiosa Peepal Gonorrhoea (Bark) 10. Dalbergia sisso Shishum Irregular menstruation (Leaves) 11. Acacia leucophloea Safed Kher Menorrhagia (Bark) 12. Ficus racemosus Vat vraksha Rheumatism (Milky Juice) Durva Irregular menstruation (Leaves) Dabgas Dysentry, menorrhagia (Culms) 13. 14. Cynodon dactylon Desmostachya bipinnata 15. Acacia leucophloea Safed Kher Menorrhagia (Bark) 16. Ficus arnottiana Paras peepal Skin diseases (Leaves, bark) 17. Calotropis procera Safed aak Asthma (Root), Cough (Flowers) 18. Acacia catechu Kher Manorrhagia (Bark) 19. Achyranthes aspera Apamarg Cough, Asthma 20 Ficus bengatensiss Vat vraksha Gunorrhoea (Root fibres) 21. Butea monosperma Khakara Leucorrhoea (Flowers) 22. Abrus precatorius var.nigra 23. Abrus precatorius var.alba 24. Celastrus paniculata 25. Tylophora asthmatica 26. Argyreia speciosa 27. Clitoria ternata 28. Mucuna preuriens 29. Caesalpinia bonduc 30. Jatropa curcas Rakta Gunja Swet gunja Malkangni Dama bel Tamra bel Aparajita Konch Katkaranj Ratanjot Mouth sores (Leaves) Mouth sores (Leaves) Rheumatism (Seeds) Asthma (Leaves) External tumar (Leaves) Constipation (Seeds) Impotency (Seeds) Fever (Seeds, Leaves) Constipation (Seeds), Wound healing (Latex) 29 31. Acacia sinnuta 32. Euphorbia nerifolia 33. Aloe barbadensis 34. Aegle marmelos 35. Nyctantnes arbotristis 36. Majorina hortensis 37. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Shikakai Snuhi Gwarpatha Bilb Harshringar Murwa Gudhal Hair loss (Pods) Piles (Latex) Constipation, irreg. Menstruation Diarrhoea, Leucorrhoea (Fruit pulp) Psitica (Bark) fever (Leaves) Colic, Liver tonic (Leaves) Irreg, menstruation (Flower) Conclusion Unfortunately, the Tribal’s in Kumbhalgarh are struggling to make both ends meet. Displaced from their natural forest habitats, their economic, social and psychological poverty is steadily increasing. At one end of spectrum, are those very few people who are completely dependent on the forests which are depleting day by day, yet are closely linked to every aspect of their lives. At the other end of the spectrum, are those tribal are displaced completely from the forest, whose modern lifestyle mirrors many of the problems of our age. As opportunities in mainstream society are limited, these people suffer from all the illness of the very poor. In addition, they suffer from social discrimination. Through interaction with other groups in society, they may follow a more clinical/ biomedical model of health and disease and accept other systems of medicine. Majority of the tribal people lay somewhere in between these two poles and are struggling to make both ends meet. Displaced from their natural forest habitats, their economic, social and psychological poverty is steadily increasing. 30