Seven Northeast primates hunted for traditional medicines

This disturbing trend has been highlighted by researchers of Assam University

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Researchers at the Assam University, Silchar, have found that seven out of the 11 primate species of the northeastern region are being hunted to prepare traditional medicines for the treatment of various ailments. This practice among different ethnic groups has threatened the very survival of these aboriginal or endemic species.

The research was conducted by Deborah Daolapogy, Nazimur Rahman Talukdar and Parthankar Choudhury of Assam University. The study — published on Sunday — documents the negative uses of primate resources in traditional healthcare systems by the indigenous people of Northeast India.

"Many endangered and vulnerable primates that are used for zoo-therapeutical purposes are collected from the wild and killed to obtain the desired organs or body parts. This puts pressure on the survival of the species in particular and on the biodiversity of this region in general. All the primates of northeastern India are facing multiple threats, and hence the tribes should not be allowed to hunt them," says the study.

Unlike plants, there is no scientific basis/evidence about the medicinal values of primates, add the researchers.

This disturbing finding comes close on the heels of the State Government's recent move to burn the stockpile of rhinoceros horns. Over 2,000 rhino horns were burned in public view in Golaghat District to send a strong message across the globe that rhino horns have no medicinal uses. Assam had witnessed rampant killing of its rare one-horned rhino. It is believed that such horns were exported to other countries for using the same in making traditional medicines.

"Governments should also take up initiatives to open adequate healthcare centers and hospitals in the interior villages, so that the tribal people are exposed to scientific healthcare systems. In order to strengthen their conservation, community awareness needs to be undertaken to reduce dependency on primates for traditional healthcare," adds the research study.

Also Read: Centre plans to promote traditional medicines of Northeast

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