Role Of Tribal Healers In Preserving Traditional Ethnomedicinal Knowledge In Kabirdham District Of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The present study investigates the pivotal role of tribal healers in preserving traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge in Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh, India. Data were collected from field surveys, interviews with healers, and direct documentation of plant species within Bhoramdev Sanctuary and surrounding villages. A total of 52 medicinal plant species belonging to multiple families were documented. Analysis shows that herbs and trees dominate the recorded flora, with leaves, roots, and bark being the most commonly used parts. The knowledge is transmitted orally by traditional healers such as Baiga Vaidyas, who are custodians of cultural and ecological wisdom. This study highlights the importance of healers not only in community healthcare but also in biodiversity conservation. However, modernization, habitat loss, and declining interest among younger generations pose major threats. Urgent documentation, scientific validation, and policy interventions are recommended to safeguard this invaluable heritage.