Tata Steel Foundation Hosts Green Therapy Program on Tribal Healing

Event focuses on preserving ethnobotanical knowledge and integrating traditional medicine

Key Points:

• 50 participants joined from Sukinda, Kalinganagar, and Bamnipal regions.
• Speakers emphasized preserving tribal healing practices and medicinal plant knowledge.
• Program aligns with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

SUKINDA – Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) organized a Green Therapy program on January 11, 2025, at Tata Steel’s Sukinda Chromite Mine campus. The initiative aimed to preserve and promote indigenous healing practices, bringing together 50 participants from Sukinda, Kalinganagar, and Bamnipal to share their knowledge on traditional medicine using native plants.

Prominent Speakers Highlight Tribal Knowledge

The event featured distinguished speakers, including Dr. Bramhmananda Mahapatra, retired principal of Government Ayurvedic College, Balangir; Goutam Mohanty, Managing Director of Green Essence Foundation; and Tahsil Toppo, a tribal healer from Sambalpur. They highlighted the significance of medicinal plants in traditional healing and advocated for living harmoniously with nature to prevent diseases. Discussions also explored the potential of essential oils for wellness and healing.

Tata Steel’s Commitment to Biodiversity

Pankaj Satija, Executive In-charge, Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division, Tata Steel, emphasized the program’s alignment with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the Kunming Montreal Global Diversity Framework. “This initiative preserves tribal cultural heritage and promotes ethnobotanical practices while inspiring research into medicinal plant values,” Satija noted.

Tribal Healers and Integration with Modern Medicine

Local tribal healers, including Budhimanta Gagrai, Narada Pingua, and Jadunath Marandi, enriched the session by sharing their insights on tribal healing traditions. The event stressed the importance of documenting these practices, empowering local communities, and integrating traditional methods with modern healthcare.

Senior Officials in Attendance

The event also saw the participation of senior Tata Steel officials, such as Naveen Srivastava, Head Mines (Kamarda & Saruabil); Pramod Kumar, Head Admin (FAMD); and Debanjan Mukherjee, Head-KIC, Tata Steel Foundation.

This Green Therapy program represents Tata Steel Foundation’s ongoing efforts to conserve tribal heritage and promote sustainable healthcare solutions.