Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Climate change is becoming more and more challenging task for present day world. The present study tries to explore traditional usage of animals and plants species for medicinal purpose and local people’s perceptions on impact of climate change on the medical ethno biology of Tharu ethnic group of Kanchanpur, Nepal through key informant survey (local healer Baidhya, Guruwa or Bharra), questionnaire survey, focal group discussion, direct observation and analysis of past climatic data. Altogether 22 Animal species of 20 families to treat 25 different ailments and 93 species of plant species belonging 56 families to treat 86 different ailments used by Tharu people were recorded. About 65.5% percent of local people noticed the climatic alteration pattern such as change in monsoon and temperature pattern. They perceived the role of climate change in decreased crop production, availability of forest resources, and increased household work. But, knowledge of impact of climate change on medicinal plant and animals was found low. Similarly, the local people have good knowledge on different uses of plant and animal resources however, currently is being threatened while some are extinct mainly due to the habitat loss, climate change, urbanization, easy access to health services, change in life style, lack of interest of youngsters toward tradition healing system and disappearance of ethnic characters. The vulnerability of medicinal plant and animals to climate change could be increased more in the future. The study suggested that formulate suitable conservation strategies, awareness dissemination and further documentation has become vital in this area.