For generations vaidya rajs, known locally as bhagat, occupied an important place in the tribal communities. Given their rich knowledge of medicinal use of various parts of plants -- root, rhizome, flower, leaf, latex, bark, etc -- they were known to treat various ailments, from diabetes to asthma and from stomach disorders to gynaecological problems and from skin diseases of human beings to animal diseases.

They were equally secretive about the various uses of the plants and would not share with their closest of blood relatives. That was till the Forest department tried to enter the close domain of bhagats, who would view any outsider with suspicion.

After relentless efforts, the department succeeded in breaking the ice and was able to motivate bhagats to share their knowledge with scientists and experts, and allow the rest of the world to benefit from the vast bio-diversity the tiny district is endowed with. The bhagats were taken to various botanical gardens in Gujarat by the department.

To preserve their knowledge, the Dangs forest department has formed a co-operative of bhagats. There is no compilation of knowledge gained by bhagats by experience, that is precisely the reason behind forming the co-operative society.

The society -- already 75 bhagats have become its members -- will see forest officials and bhagats preserving the flora and fauna and trees of medicinal use. Bhagats on their part would communicate to the local population the importance of plants found in the region and encourage tribals to grow them more. In the process, tribals will get employment and earn money.

The co-operative would market the plants with the help of the forest department, which would standardise the technique of nursery of raising these plants. According to DCF (South Dangs) Ram Kumar, already 40 plots measuring 2 x 2 mtr have been developed at the Botanical garden in Waghai with the help of traditional practitioners.

A two-day seminar, organised to achieve some of these objectives, concluded at Ahwa, the headquarters of the Dangs district on Saturday. Scientists, botanists and experts from various parts of Gujarat exchanged knowledge with bhagats.

During the seminar, inaugurated by Forest Minister Kanjibhai Patel, various samples for their medicinal and chemical properties were analysed and given scientific names to compile traditional knowledge in a scientific manner. They were also exposed to Patent theory.

The scientists who attended the seminar included: Dr Vala and Dr Vashi from Gujarat Agriculture University, Navsari, Dr Daniel from MSU, Vadodara, Dr Somani from SGU, Surat, Dr Suryavanshi from Regional Research Centre, Waghai.

Forest officials included: CCF Ashok Kumar, CF Surat S C Pant, CF Bharuch A K Mishra, DCF (South Dangs) Ram Kumar, DCF (North) Mukesh Kumar, DCF Navsari P F Patel, DCF Surat Kuber and DCF Vadodara R M Patel.