Tribal Healer Hari Pangi’s Path to Recognition: Collaboration with CCRAS in Koraput

Introduction: Hari Pangi and His Unassuming Lab

In the remote village of Tentuliguda, nestled in the foothills of Odisha’s Koraput district, lies a modest four-room structure that serves as a unique laboratory. This unassuming space has recently hosted 17 Ayurvedic experts, including the Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). The central figure in this scientific exploration is Hari Pangi, a tribal healer whose practices go back five generations.

Hari Pangi’s Non-Disclosure Agreement

Hari Pangi has signed a non-disclosure agreement with CCRAS under the Ministry of Ayush, aimed at preserving and validating local tribal health traditions in his village. His traditional methods for treating chronic kidney diseases, hypertension, and cancer could gain national and possibly international recognition if these studies are successful. Professor Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, expresses considerable interest in Pangi’s approaches, having observed high demand for his services.

Professor Acharya’s Impression

According to Professor Acharya, the high patient numbers—100-125 on Sundays, 70 on Saturdays, and 25 on weekdays—suggest that Pangi’s formulations are effective. CCRAS aims to deploy an Ayurvedic degree holder to work with Pangi for a year, interacting with patients and verifying the effectiveness of his treatments. Based on the findings, CCRAS will proceed with further research on the three primary treatments.

A Hub of Scientific Curiosity

Sri Gupteswar Herbal Medicine and Training Traditional Technology Research Centre, Pangi’s research institution, has transformed into a focal point of scientific interest over the past two days. The center has attracted tribal healers from various southern Odisha districts, who have come together to share their experiences and knowledge in providing healthcare to remote and underserved communities. CCRAS organized a workshop at Pangi’s campus, focusing on the conservation of traditional medicinal plants through seed banks as a strategy against climate change.

Training and Preservation Efforts

During the workshop, tribal healers received training to enhance their skills. Pangi has already taken steps towards validation of his efforts by preserving over 400 seed varieties of plants with significant medicinal value. His proactive efforts highlight the value of traditional knowledge in modern healthcare.

Validation Through Scientific Processes

Professor Rabinarayan Acharya explains that CCRAS’s mandate is to validate traditional knowledge through structured processes. Non-disclosure agreements are signed to ensure that healing methods are not disclosed. Every formulation and piece of information is critically analyzed. Innovative knowledge obtained from these agreements undergoes rigorous testing, including quality control, safety assessments, clinical trials, and patenting. If patented, tribal healers receive a share of the profits.

Examples of Success

CCRAS recently secured approval for the commercialization of Ayush-82, an Ayurvedic formulation developed for the prevention and management of diabetes. The institution has a defined process for gathering information from tribal healers, which includes the number of patients treated and the generational span of their practices.

Pangi’s Initiatives Before Recognition

Before receiving recognition from CCRAS, Pangi had hired an Ayurveda degree holder for ₹24,000 per month to help document and validate his traditional healing methods. Confident in his knowledge, Pangi claims to be able to identify over 200 plant species and possesses formulations to treat over 100 different diseases, thanks to the abundance of medicinal plants in his native land.

The Need for Policy Changes

Laxminarayan Boxi, a well-known science communicator, believes there should be a policy to conserve medicinal plant seeds, roots, and tubers scientifically to ensure their availability for future generations. Policy reforms are necessary to address the conservation of medicinal plants in India, similar to existing policies for crops, animals, and fish resources.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Traditional Healing

Hari Pangi’s story exemplifies the value of indigenous knowledge in modern medicine. By preserving and validating his traditional methods, CCRAS is setting a precedent for the integration of tribal medicine into mainstream healthcare systems. This collaboration not only benefits the healers but also the broader community by providing effective and accessible healthcare solutions.

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