What will happen to the endangered, unidentified and less known medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India ?
"It makes anyone failure to write; who waits expecting his writing be free from any modification or correction". I am starting this 1000th article with the quote by Dr. S. K. Jain, "The father of Indian Ethnobotany". After completing this article, I will be able to achieve one tenth of my target for the research articles. The in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about medicinal herbs, insects, soil, animal parts, etc. present with the natives, traditional healers, herb collectors, vendors, traders etc. of Chhattisgarh has indicated me that even ten thousands research articles are not enough to document all this knowledge. The thousand articles available at Botanical.com, are like a drop in ocean. This understanding motivates me to work more sincerely to document as much knowledge as possible, without wasting the time. In my thousand articles, I have written about the identified species of medicinal herbs, insects and other animals. During the Ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have observed thousands of unidentified herbs having no description in reference literatures. Although the scientific details regarding there herbs are not available but the natives and traditional healers are using these herbs since generations in treatment of many common as well as complicated diseases. I have collected many valuable information about these herbs and waiting for its correct identification. As you know, I have done this documentation work without any financial support from any one. I will try to continue this documentation work, without waiting for any such support. The seniors in my fields have confirmed that no one has yet written so much in whole life. Encouraged with their support, I have decided to give more emphasis on these unidentified species and will try to name these new species in the name of natives and traditional healers that are using it for the betterment of our lives. At this stage I am seeking technical support from the national and international organizations to achieve the target of complete documentation in my life time. Like unidentified species, many species are becoming endangered. I am awaring the authorities through the articles in different languages but no one is paying attention on this regard. Unable to do anything to conserve the species, many times I think to stop visiting the forests but my affection toward the herbs calls me back to the forest. I am also wishing to become a part of any international organization so that the responsible authorities can be convinced in more effective ways to take the necessary action regarding protection and conservation of medicinal herbs. Every time I think that "What will happen to the unidentified, endangered and less known herbs of Chhattisgarh, India ? I am expecting the researchers and experts reading my research articles regularly will help me in this regard in coming future.
Last December (i.e. December 2002), when I completed my 75th research article, I was expecting overwhelming responses from the world community. But when I accelerated and increased the frequency of surveys, I realized that I have to go far and have to work hard. Today at December, 25th 2003. When I am writing 1000 article, I am not eager to celebrate this occasion. After taking one day rest, I will start the writing 12-14 hours daily. On this occasion, I want to acknowledge the great support extended by my parents. They are angry, little bit, that their son is writing restlessly and no one is paying attention to his contributions. They always motivate me to work sincerely with hope that one day the Golden time will come. After my parents, I have got great support and encouragement from the web master Julie Sebenoler. This is her inspiration that I am eager to start writing without resting much. I am thankful to Botanical.com for providing me opportunity to publish my research articles without any hurdle, for the whole world community. As you know, in this modern age of science, I am preferring the use of Pen to write my articles. You can imagine about my hand writing after 12-14 hours of writing daily. This is the great patience and support of my computer expert Shri Abhay Lanjewar that I am able to prepare the computer copies of my articles daily and send it to Botanical.com. Like Julie, Dr. Gyde H. Lund from Forest Information Update is extending great support to me by publishing the information about two recent articles, in his weekly newsletter from last one year. I believe less in rebirth but it seems that this is the results of some great work done in my previous life that I am getting the support of the person like Julie and Dr. Lund.
Due to the intensive work of documentation, now I get very less or no time for my personal life. Being a bachelor, I get more time. My neighbours are worrying by seeing my fixed schedule of writing, typing and sending the articles from last one year. Many times they bet that now it is enough and I will not write more than 400 or 600 articles. When I crossed 800, they are now giving no comments. Last week when I visited Bhawanipatna for the National Workshop on Medicinal Plants, all participants from different corners recognized me from my face and my articles at Botanical.com. For the first time, I realized the impact of my articles. They appreciated my work and many of them showed me the copies of my articles, they have kept as a proof during the scientific discussion. This is a simple but great reward for me. A good sign that the experts are understanding the importance of on-going documentation work. When I was at university, the two research papers were enough to get the job of junior scientist, ten for senior scientist and fifty for professor. I am not aware what will be their response after seeing my 1200 (over 1000 English and 200 Hindi ) research articles. Possibly, they will retire me without giving any post. In my country, the money and political power are now becoming criteria for the selection of scientists. No one is ready to understand the quality of work and dedication towards work. This year I faced such bad situation when a reputed organization has refused to select me as scientist without giving the bribe. I have decided to do the work as free lancer and try to become an example for the youth of coming generation that "Still there is no promising alternative to hard work.
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