Participants of the lecture held at St Joseph University.
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): St. Joseph University (SJU) in Chumoukedima, in collaboration with the Institute’s Innovation Council, organized a one-day special lecture on August 21. The event, titled "Role of Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacological Effects in Native Plants of Nagaland," was spearheaded by the Department of Botany and drew participants from across academic disciplines, including students and faculty members, both in-person and online.
The session was chaired by Kezhalekho Soliezuo, an MSc Botany student, and began with an invocation by Assistant Professor Tongtikala Kichu. Dr. K. Kumar, also an Assistant Professor, delivered the welcome address, followed by a brief exhortation from Dr. K. Rajaganesh, Dean of Science and Management Studies. Rev. Fr. L. Anish, the university's Public Relations Officer, introduced the chief guest, Nikhil Krishna, a Research Assistant at the Regional Ayurveda Research Center (RARC) in Dimapur.
During the offline session, Krishna provided an insightful exploration of medicinal plants and Ayurveda, underscoring the significance of ethnobotany in preserving indigenous knowledge. He highlighted the contributions of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and encouraged students to engage with their communities to document local ethnomedicinal practices.
The lecture then transitioned online, featuring Dr. S. Anbazhakan, Associate Professor at H. H. Raja’s College in Tamil Nadu, who delved into the intricacies of ethnobotany as a multidisciplinary science. He focused on the botanical knowledge of tribal communities in Northeastern India, emphasizing the importance of preserving this heritage. Dr. Anbazhakan also outlined the methodologies for conducting ethnobotanical research, including fieldwork and herbarium preparation, while showcasing examples of plants used by Indian tribes and ethnoveterinary practices specific to Nagaland.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Mebin Joseph, Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany, followed by a benediction by Dr. Temsurenla, also an Assistant Professor in the department.
