Traditional knowledge and zootherapeutic use of different animals by Bhotiya tribe: A case study from Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The present zootherapeutic study describes the traditional knowledge related to different animals and animal-derived products used as medicines by the Bhotiya tribe inhabited in three districts (Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Chamoli) of Uttarakhand, India. A field survey was conducted by performing questionnaire and inventory based interviews with 150 selected respondents. A total of 39 animal species were recorded which were used for more than 40 ethnomedical purposes including fever, cough and cold, weakness, asthma, tuberculosis, eye ailments, rheumatism, etc. From this study, it was found that Bhotiyas are using 39 animal species for the treatment of over 40 different kinds of ailments. Mammals (n = 21, 53.85 %) exceeded invertebrates (n = 8, 20.51 %), aves (n = 5, 12.82 %), reptiles (n = 2, 5.13 %), fish (n = 2, 5.13 %) and amphibian (n = 1, 2.564 %), respectively. Animals as a whole or their by-products were used in the preparation of traditional medicine and flesh accounted the highest proportion among different by-products. In the present study, among 39 animals, 20 animals (51.3 %) were listed in IUCN Red Data List, were used for medicinal purposes. From the current study, it is concluded that this kind of traditional knowledge which is only confined among Bhotiyas need to be properly documented and also design strategies for the conservation and management of the valuable faunistic resources. Further, studies are required for experimental validation to confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in these traditional remedies and also explore the ways for sustainable use of these resources.