Traditional Herbal Practices and Sustainable Livelihood
Meghalaya, renowned for its medicinal herbs, faces challenges such as inadequate documentation, patent and intellectual property rights, and inadequate connections to the market. Traditional practitioners struggle to adopt this practice on a large scale, hindering their economic systems. Grassroot, in collaboration with Laitmawsiang village, East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya, aims to promote and preserve traditional knowledge and practices, fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood. The project aims to preserve wisdom and individuality, sustain value-added economic enterprise, and encourage youth to follow traditional wisdom.
In 2019, Grassroot collaborated with the local dorbar of Laitmawsiang village to establish the ‘DWAR JINGKHIAH’, a traditional spa (Herbal Clinic) in Laitmawsiang village. The clinic will use locally available herbal oils for traditional massages, providing additional income for practitioners and preserving their practice for future generations. The plan aims to promote economic empowerment through traditional wisdom, address entrepreneurship gaps, and create opportunities for younger generations to learn and grow.
East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya