A study on ethno-flora with special reference to Traditional Health Care System (THCS) in western Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.

Abstract

A study on ethno-flora with special reference to traditional health care systems (THCS) was conducted in Western Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (Indian Trans-Himalaya) during 2009-2013. The major objectives of the study were: i) to study and compare the traditional health-care system across major ethnic groups (Boto, Balti and Dards) in Suru, Wakha-chu and Lower Indus valleys, ii) to document the Traditional Knowledge System (TKS) across various ethnic groups, and iii) to assess the conservation status of ethno-medicinal plants in the study area. To meet the objectives of the study a detailed field investigation was undertaken in all the valleys. The field work involved questionnaire survey and group discussions in the three valleys to document traditional healthcare system (THCS), perception of people and allopathic doctors regarding THCS (objective 1); Interviews of local healers and different sections of the society to assess the status of traditional knowledge (objective 2); and Rapid survey of wild medicinal plants across various land forms, habitat and vegetation types so as to ascertain the distribution of ethno-flora across various landforms, and ethnoecology and conservation prioritization of Ethno-flora (objective 3). The study area is located above 2700m altitude and is characterized by unique geographical and socio-cultural attributes. Traditional medicine is one of the tangible heritage of the local people in Ladakh, which has been an indispensable source of both preventive and curative medicine.