North Cachar Hills Community Resource Management Society-NCHCRMS-NERCoRMP, Sarkari Bagan, Haflong, Dima Hasao, India.
J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2013 Aug 12;9:56. doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-56.
The present study addresses the use of zootherapy in the traditional healthcare system of the Biate tribe of Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. It sought to identify the different species used for zootherapeutic use with the detailed methods of usages to create awareness and contribute to the conservation and sustainable utilization of the resources.
15 Biate villages within the district of Dima Hasao were surveyed through semi-structured questionnaires and informal interviews. Detailed information on the uses of each animal was recorded. Species were identified using standard literature. Fidelity level (FL) was calculated to demonstrate the percentage of respondents claiming the use of a certain animal for the same major purposes.
The study documents 34 species for the treatment of about 34 different ailments. The largest number of species reported was mammals with17 species. Maximum number of species has been reported for the treatment of diabetes and its high fidelity levels warrants in-depth studies to establish its pharmacological activity. The usages documented herein are unique to the Biate tribe. Very often, these animals are hunted and sold openly at the local markets in the lure of quick money. A 300 gm live Gekko gecko may fetch a sum of 2,50,000 Indian Rupees (INR), and smoked meat of Hoolock hoolock cost approximately 250-300 INR per kg. Animals are also hunted for its hide. The unrestricted hunting of species like Capricornis sumatraensis has almost wiped out the population within the district. Some species are also reared as pets while some are used for display as a sign of expertise in hunting. The present study has documented the usage of at least 15 animals listed in the IUCN Red List.
The study illustrates the in-depth knowledge of the Biate tribe on zootherapy. Systematic investigation to identify the active ingredient may lead to the development of new drugs, which would prompt protection of these valuable resources.
本研究探讨了印度阿萨姆邦迪马哈索县比亚特部落传统医疗体系中的动物疗法。本研究旨在确定用于动物疗法的不同物种，并详细记录其使用方法，以提高人们的认识，并为保护和可持续利用这些资源做出贡献。
通过半结构式问卷和非正式访谈，对迪马哈索区的 15 个比亚特村庄进行了调查。详细记录了每种动物的使用情况。利用标准文献对物种进行了鉴定。计算保真度水平（FL），以展示声称使用某种动物治疗相同主要疾病的受访者的百分比。
本研究记录了 34 种物种，用于治疗约 34 种不同的疾病。报告的物种数量最多的是哺乳动物，有 17 种。报告的物种数量最多的是用于治疗糖尿病，其高保真度水平表明需要进行深入研究以确定其药理活性。本文记录的用途是比亚特部落特有的。这些动物经常被猎杀并在当地市场上公开出售，以获取快速的金钱收益。一只 300 克活的壁虎可能卖到 25 万印度卢比（INR），而烟熏的大狐猴肉每公斤约 250-300 INR。动物的皮毛也被用于捕猎。在该地区，无限制地捕猎像苏门答腊野山羊这样的物种几乎导致其数量减少。一些物种也被饲养作为宠物，而另一些则被用于展示狩猎技能。本研究记录了至少 15 种被列入 IUCN 红色名录的物种的使用情况。
本研究说明了比亚特部落对动物疗法的深入了解。系统的调查以确定有效成分可能会导致新药物的开发，从而促使对这些宝贵资源的保护。
