Bandipora, Sep 27: The third and concluding day of the Himalayan Non-Codified Tribal Healers Workshop, organised by the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal, in collaboration with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), concluded in Bandipora with a field visit, interactive sessions and a valedictory programme.

The concluding day commenced with a field visit to Wullar Vintage Park, where participating traditional healers and members of the organising team explored the natural landscape and interacted with officials of the Wular Conservation and Management Authority.

The officials briefed the participants about the forest ecosystem, rich bird diversity and various conservation measures being undertaken to protect the natural environment of the Wular region.

Later, the team and participating healers proceeded to the Kashmir Forest Training School, Chatternar, Bandipora, where the valedictory programme was held.

Prof. Naseem Geelani, Chief Scientist and Organising Secretary of the programme, welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the Bandipora Forestry Training School, its faculty and its institutional role in forestry education and training. He also outlined the proceedings of the concluding session and formally announced the commencement of the valedictory programme.

The programme began with an introductory address by Altaf Hussain, an official of the Forest Training School, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the institution's role in forest-related training and awareness.

Addressing the gathering, Prof.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelAmitabh Pandey, Director, IGRMS, emphasised the need for appropriate policy frameworks for the recognition and support of traditional healers. He highlighted the challenges faced by practitioners in obtaining appropriate recognition and licences, stressing the importance of continued dialogue and systematic documentation of traditional healing practices and knowledge systems.

Sunta Reddy, Founder, Anthropos India Foundation, raised questions concerning the terminology and recognition of local and traditional healers. She underlined the need for developing appropriate nomenclature for practitioners whose knowledge systems have traditionally remained non-codified.

The participating healers also shared their experiences, observations and feedback from the workshop.

Prof. Shalina Mehta, former Chairperson, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, expressed gratitude for being invited to the programme and shared her observations from the workshop. Referring to the Baiga community of Madhya Pradesh, she noted that traditional healing practices continue to enjoy the trust of local communities, with many villagers relying on traditional methods of treatment.

The valedictory session concluded with the distribution of certificates among all participating traditional healers, acknowledging their participation and contribution towards preserving and sharing traditional healing knowledge.

Later, the organising team and participating healers visited Athwatoo, Bandipora, where they interacted with members of the local community, bringing the three-day workshop to a close. (KNS)