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Volume 8 Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography Biodiversity Congress 2018
July 26-27, 2018
Page 14
Notes:
conferenceseries.com
July 26-27, 2018 Melbourne, Australia
7th International Conference on
Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management
Two golden grains from the treasure trove of rich Indian traditions
This research paper is an outcome in part of studying plant biodiversity in some cultural practices of a specific community;
the Kerala Brahmin community, who got settled in Indian Peninsula centuries ago. Literature in this regard is sparse and
genuine efforts for documentation were not much. With this background, studies are in progress to understand, enlist, document
and preserve the plant biodiversity related to the customary practices of the said community. The author herself being a member
of the community, her own experiences and a book written in vernacular language; ‘Antherjanangalude aacharanushtanangal’
(Customary rituals and religious rites observed by women of Brahmin community, 2002) by Late Smt. Cheruvakkara Parvathy
Antherjanam and discussions with the elders in the community have formed the basis of this research. The golden grains
mentioned here are two tropical grass speciess locally known in vernacular language as Navara and Chama. Navara is an exclusive
and ancient variety of rice, Oryza sativa and Chama, Panicum sumatrense, popularly called as Little millet. Navara rice has been
in cultivation in the state of Kerala (India) for about 2500 years since the time of Susruta, the Indian pioneer in medicine and
surgery. Both these grains are intricately linked to the socio-cultural aspects of the community and have great therapeutic value.
Lifestyle changes combined with erratic climate have adversely affected the cultivation of Navara and Chama. A study of the
cultural aspects and a review of the high nutritional and therapeutic values are stated in this paper which are aimed at creating
awareness with reference to the agricultural crops in question. The study proclaims the need to preserve locale specific ancient
traditions which are both eco-friendly and sustainable for conserving biodiversity and combating climate change issues. Most
significantly the research paper enlightens the role of cultural ethos in safe guarding the plant biodiversity of a region.
Biography
Mini N Vijayan is an Associate Professor from the Department of Botany, Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, Goa, India. She has a Doctorate
degree in Plant Anatomy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecology and Environment. She is passionate about biodiversity concerns and is presently documenting
plant diversity in cultural practices of a specific indigenous community of Indian Peninsula.
Mini N Vijayan
Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, India
Mini N Vijayan, J Ecosyst Ecogr 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625-C4-040