Workshop focuses on impact of globalisation on tribal health

Mysuru: Tribal culture forms the very lifeline of Indian civilisation, said Lakshminarayana Shenoy, assistant director of the Govt Ayurveda Research Centre.Speaking during the valedictory ceremony of a two-day national workshop held here, he emphasised that tribal communities long upheld a deep and sacred relationship with nature.
The workshop focused on the impact of globalisation and cultural beliefs on tribal health and traditional healing systems.He said that forests are not merely sources of livelihood for tribal groups but are revered as divine entities. Their lifestyle, rooted in environmental stewardship, reflects a sustainable model of coexistence with nature.He underlined that tribal communities possess invaluable traditional medicinal knowledge, including remedies for chronic and complex ailments, developed through centuries of observation and practice. In the era of liberalisation and rapid modernisation, he observed, such indigenous herbal practices are often dismissed as superstition. However, he asserted that every forest herb holds medicinal significance, and meaningful understanding can only come through learning directly from forest dwellers.Yogesh T, director of Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute, addressed participants via video conference and called upon tribal leaders and researchers to submit practical and concise recommendations to improve healthcare access in tribal areas. He assured that these suggestions would be presented during pre-budget discussions to secure enhanced facilities and support.Deputy director HS Girijamba said that the workshop featured presentation of 63 research papers by scholars from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and Delhi.