Katchal, March 15: An awareness programme on scientific validation of Ethno Medicinal Practices and its role for income source generation for Nicobarese tribals was organised from 11-14, March 2026 at Katchal. The programme was conducted under the DST-funded project entitled “Promotion of Socioeconomic Status and Self-Employment of Nicobarese Tribes through Scientific Validation of Ethno-Veterinary Tribal Medicinal Knowledge and Herbal Product Development.” The scheduled programme was conducted at E.wall, Japan Tirkey, Meenakshi Ram Nagar villages where in, a total of 100 tribals participated.
Dr. T. Sujatha, Principal Investigator and Coordinator of the programme appraised the tribal farming community about the importance of Indigenous Tribal Knowledge (ITK) in sustainable health management. Documentation, scientific validation, conservation and dissemination of those ITKs to the next generation are of prime important to address many health issues food animals. Further, they were also explained how the scientific validation of ITK will empower them to create livelihood opportunities through it.
In interaction meeting was also held with tribal healers who are practicing ITKs using locally available medicinal plants. In addition, they were given knowledge on scientific management of rural poultry to its egg and meat production that is only source for chicken meat for the tribal farming community at Katchal.
The programme was well associated by Dr. Ankit, SVO, Katchal and his team. Over all, the programme proved highly fruitful in developing strategies to popularise traditional knowledge and explore opportunities for enhancing income generation for Nicobarese tribal farming community through indigenous medicinal practices.