Article Abstract

This study explores the present status of indigenous knowledge related to medicinal plants among the Santal tribes residing in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India. With a rich heritage of ethnomedicinal practices, the Santal community holds significant traditional knowledge that has been passed down orally through generations. The primary objectives of this research are twofold: firstly, to assess the current extent and usage of traditional medicinal plant knowledge within the community; and secondly, to identify and document the medicinal practitioners, locally known as ojhas or traditional healers, who play a vital role in preserving and disseminating this knowledge. The study employs qualitative methods, including field surveys, interviews, and participatory observations, to gather insights from community members, particularly elders and medicinal men. The findings aim to highlight both the resilience and the challenges facing this indigenous knowledge system in the context of modernization, socio-cultural changes, and declining interest among younger generations. This research contributes to the broader understanding of ethnobotany and the urgent need for documentation and preservation of traditional health practices among indigenous communities.
Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, Medicinal Plants, Santal Tribe, Traditional Healers, Ethnobotany