Recommendations from The First International Siddha Congress Kilavayal, Tamilnadu, India. May 24-26, 2002  preserving and ..    education    research    economic development    conservaton of ..

:: Preserving and Recording the Traditions The threat of significant loss of traditional Siddha knowledge was noted and it was recommended that: There should be a comprehensive program of documentation of local health traditions of Siddha medical practices and of the availability of the materia medica - medicinal plants and minerals. Databases should be established from the above and made accessible by medical practitioners, researchers, conservationists and traders worldwide, with full prior protectin of the intellectual property rights of customary knowledge holders. An India-wide program should be established with support from Indian foundations and governments as well as from international donors to designate and support a "Living Treasures" program of Indian System of Medicine. NGOs should promote rural and local health traditions and nutrition and infant feeding programs to recognize, reward and promote special knowledge, skills and practices. Such programs must also promote discussion and debate both within Siddha practitioners and with other medicinal systems. Government must promote databases and contracts to protect IPRs. Government/NGOs should build comprehensive databases and manuals needed for listing uses of metals, minerals and plants used in Siddha and other medical systems. NGOs should publish user friendly manuals of simple and tested Siddha remedies for widespread domestic use. Establishment of Medicinal Plants Conservation Park initially in the district level later in the Block Level.