Ethno-zoological use of primates in Northeast needs to stop

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Ethno-zoological practices play a significant role in the healthcare systems of the indigenous tribes of the Northeast. This therapeutic practice is known as 'Zoo therapy' has been prevalent and passed down for generations among the tribes residing near the forests. They do not have access to hospitals, healthcare facilities and medicines. A study carried out by a well-known environmentalist and former Head, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Parthankar Choudhury, based on field study and literature survey, revealed that six primate species were used in the traditional healing practice.

These six primate species are Hoolock, Macaca, Ehesus monkey, Lajuki bandor or Slow loris, Spectacled monkey and Macacca special. The ingredients used for healing or treatment range from flesh, limb bones, brain, gall bladder, body fat, blood bone marrow and body fur to bile. These body parts are used fresh or dried. These are consumed raw or cooked alone or combining them with other herbs and materials. The study revealed that the flesh of primates was dominantly used, followed by blood and brain.

The study shows that endangered and vulnerable primates that are used for zoo therapeutic purposes are collected from the wild and killed to obtain the desired organs and body parts for ethnomedicinal usage. This creates pressure on the survival of vulnerable and endangered primate species in particular as well as on the biodiversity of the region in general. As such, the primates in the Northeast face multiple threats pointed out by Dr Parthankar Choudhury.

The naturalists and environmentalists should join hands together along with state agencies as well as NGOs to motivate the tribesmen not to hunt them which are easy to prey on. The fast depleting greenery and forests around expose the primates more to tribes living in the periphery. A massive campaign is to be carried on to convince the tribesmen that there is no scientific evidence to prove that primates have medicinal value. Healthcare facilities by the state should be created in tribal-dominated areas to protect the primates.

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