To Study the Awareness and Adoption Level among the Tharu Tribes towards Selected Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKs) for Its Cost Effectiveness

Abstract

The frequent use of modern medicines for animal husbandry practices has reduced the usage of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) but still, they are often used first to treat various animal diseases. The objective of this research work was to level awareness and adoption level of selected Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) among Tharu tribes in terms of reducing the production cost vis-à-vis increasing the overall production of their livestock. The investigation was carried out in the Tharuhat area of the West Champaran district, to explore the therapeutic uses of plants by local inhabitants. Information was gathered from traditional healers and livestock owners of Tharu Tribes, by using participant observation, open-ended conversations, and semi-structured questionnaires. Plants used as ethnoveterinary medicines were collected and identified by farmers of the study area (i.e., Tharuhat area) who had well knowledge about the use of indigenous practices in different areas of livestock rearing i.e., Breeding, Feeding, and Health care and its awareness. Documentation of traditional knowledge-related ethnoveterinary information and identification of potential species for prioritization of conservation through sustainable animal health care management is essential for the benefit of future generations. The present study contributed to the documentation of an inventory of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants, which might provide a better informative database for future scientific validation studies for the sake of animal health.