Herbal Medicine & Forests

We have been living in this village for approximately 100 years. Our tribe originated in this surrounding area. There have been many changes in the forest; valuable trees, herbs, and animals have all disappeared. If we do not protect it, then within the next 20 years, along with the destruction of the forest, all types of wild animals, medicinal plants, and creepers will disappear. Camps should be organized to teach traditional forest and tribal knowledge from elders to the younger generation, transfer it to the next generation, and preserve it.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

We have been living in this village for nearly 100 years. Our tribe originated in this surrounding area. The forest has undergone many changes; valuable trees, herbs, and animals have all disappeared. If we do not protect it, then within the next 20 years, the forest will be destroyed, and all types of wild animals, medicinal plants, and vines will vanish. Camps should be organized to teach the younger generation traditional forest and tribal knowledge from the elders, to pass it on to the next generation, and to preserve it.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

We indigenous people used to eat roots and tubers from the forests and sustained ourselves with them. These also served as medicine, keeping our bodies healthy. Even today, we should use roots and tubers.

— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, in our village's forest, we found many abundant herbs. But unfortunately, the roots of these herbs in the forest are being severely destroyed. So, we will try to keep them alive for this. I will go a bit.

— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

In our tribal communities, when we fall ill, we rely on roots and herbs. So, other communities should observe us.

— PRADEEP KUMAR KANHAR · Boudh, Odisha

We Adivasi communities are communities that depend on nature, collect roots and tubers from the forests, and use them as food, which is very nutritious and also serves as medicine.

— Ram Kumari

Due to the cutting of trees and plants in the village, various herbs and food items are becoming extinct. We can protect them.

— Mohan AHARI · Sarera, Udaipur, Rajasthan

I want to bring back the medicinal items, food items, and root vegetables found in our forest, so that they do not disappear.

— Laxmi Bagh · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha

I have been living in this village since my grandfather's time. Our tribe originated in this surrounding area. The forest has changed a lot; valuable trees, herbs, and animals have all disappeared. If we do not protect it, the forest will be destroyed within the next 20 years, and all kinds of wild animals, medicinal trees, and plants will vanish. The younger generation should be taught traditional forest and tribal knowledge from elders and transfer it to the next generation, and camps should be organized to preserve it.

— DASHARATH SINGH · Jamunkira, Sambalpur, Odisha

We get treatment from the forest.

— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

We can collect all the medicinal things found in the forest and show them to future generations and preserve them.

— Anupama Mahanand

I want to save traditional medicine, herbs, roots, and trees.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

We are still getting fruits, plants, health-related herbs, and medicines from the forest. We are safe for now, and we are still here.

— ishwarsabar · East Singhbhum, Jharkhand

We must protect our forests so that herbs remain.

— Chanda

We can use muIdim found in the forest as traditional medicine.

— Anupama Mahanand · Sundargarh, Odisha

Our tradition is connected to nature.

— Amar Lal Dhurwey · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

We are tribals, we are nature worshippers. We always depend on trees and plants to live. We sustain our livelihood by eating its tubers, fruits, and roots.

— PRADEEP KUMAR KANHAR · Boudh, Odisha

We worship trees, plants, animals, and medicinal herbs.

— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

We, the tribal people, worship nature. We worship trees and plants. We are always with nature.

— PRADEEP KUMAR KANHAR · Boudh, Odisha

To define our tribe, first of all, we live in jungle villages and use herbs and all kinds of medicines.

— bachcha lal · Ormaura, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

We tribals cut down forests to build our homes and live in the forest itself. From the forest, we get roots, flowers, and delicious fruits, and we sustain our lives from them, and we also do farming.

— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

In earlier times, we used to get medicine from the forest.

— Amar Lal Dhurwey · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

My name is Rashmita Pradhan. Just as our ancestors remained healthy by eating fruits and roots found in the forest, prepared without chemicals, we also wish to eat the same food now. We are from tribal-dominated areas. Our forest is our lifeline. Therefore, our ancient traditions should be restored, and our forest should not be destroyed. Thank you. Raika Kandhamal.

— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha

In ancient traditions, when people had any health problems or diseases, they would use medicinal roots and herbs found in the forest to get well.

— Suna majhi · Gopalpur, Rayagada, Odisha

Adivasi customs are distinct. We worship trees and roots. Our customs should be protected.

— Kachala Choudhary · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

Our diet. We are in a jungle area. The jungle's herbs and some of its air. Now, due to its influence, our diet is different. We remain healthy for this reason because we rely on herbs; when we wake up in the morning, it's the herbs...

— ANIL KUMAR · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Traditional medicinal remedies are being prepared for obtaining by searching for medicinal herbs, fruits, roots, and other medicinal items from the forest.

— Padmalochan Majhi · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha

Our medicinal herbs, vegetables, fruits, and trees are depleting from the forests.

— Kachala Choudhary

Our ancestors used to live, grow and maintain trees, and collect fruits and roots. Now, with all the trees gone, many conveniences are being lost. Let us all plant trees again.

— Bisendra Naik · Kasipur, Rayagada, Odisha

We are all tribal people, we live in forests. We collect our food from the forests. With that, we sustain ourselves. This is indeed our life's goal.

— KusaPradhani · Anakabadi, Rayagada, Odisha

We will live in small villages in the jungle, making a living by cutting and selling wood, and by selling all kinds of herbs that humans use.

— bachcha lal · Shahganj, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Traditionally, we obtain medicinal products from the natural forest, various types of Hadi, Kandha, Banakandha, different kinds of leaves, brooms, and other such diverse things, as well as our traditional drinks.

— Mishra · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha

So that future generations can also know about all the trees and plants in the forests that protect us from diseases.

— Sunita Kumari · Ghorawal, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh