A module for digital conservation of medicinal plants used by tribal communities living in selected villages of Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, Central India
VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems
ISSN: 2059-5891
Article publication date: 19 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable module for digital conservation of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants (MPs) used by tribal communities living in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used a qualitative approach to gather the data of MPs through the use of literature review and field survey. Based on the acquired data, a prototype digital learning system was constructed and assessed. This study used digital learning technologies to assess the requirements for transmitting traditional knowledge of important MPs used by tribal communities so that people can absorb and conserve them.
Findings
Over time, the focus on the digital conservation of traditional MP’s knowledge has progressively increased globally. Despite the rise in this field of study, information technology methods to preserve and distribute traditional knowledge of MPs have remained a few. When adopting digital learning to maintain traditional knowledge of MPs, it was discovered that it would be necessary to engage with relevant knowledge keepers, use multimedia, and provide content in local languages.
Research limitations/implications
This study helps in conservation of important MP species that are having biologically important therapeutic compounds meant for treating various ailments. Older generations of various tribal communities mainly hold traditional knowledge of important MPs, and unless it is preserved, it will perish along with its caretakers.
Originality/value
It is worth looking at a digital platform that can help future generations to maintain traditional knowledge of MPs, as it is a dynamic and ever-changing, it must involve a digital tool for its future conservation. Current methods for maintaining traditional knowledge of MPs were ineffective and constrained by space and time.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Indian Council of Social Science Research New Delhi, India (File No. Gen-02/2019–2020/ICSSR/RP) for providing financial assistance to the present investigation. The authors are also thankful to Amarkantak Forest Service and the Pushprajgarh Village Representatives, who gave permission to conduct research in the Pushprajgarh block, Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. The authors also acknowledge the support of field investigators, Mr Jitendra Tiwari and Mr Santosh Paraste, in collecting the information from tribal communities.
Citation
Kareti, S.R., Rajpoot, V.S. and Ramar, H.H. (2022), "A module for digital conservation of medicinal plants used by tribal communities living in selected villages of Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, Central India", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-11-2021-0273
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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