Strategies for Eco-Friendly Indigenous Medical System for Mitigation the Climate Change through Education

Indigenous medicine mainly requires a large quantity of raw materials of flora, fauna and mineral sources for its treatment modalities. The constant usage of these materials without appropriate replacement has an adverse impact on the environment and can lead to disaster. This paper discusses the formal and informal education as a tool to introduce sustainable usage of resources by enhancing knowledge, attitude and skills in primary, secondary and tertiary education in Sri Lankan context. The Sri Lankan society is predominantly agrarian. The chief determinants of climate in Sri Lanka are rainfall and temperature. Due to irresponsible human behavior, Sri Lanka has been affected by drought, landslides, floods, tsunami, and many natural and man made disasters. Changing pattern of rainfall and increasing temperature are well experienced. A considerable percentage of Sri Lankan population uses herbs as home remedies and the indigenous medical systems are popular throughout the country. The conservation of medicinal plants in initial stage is not sufficient to prevent the rapid deforestation and threat to the survival of endangered species. Existing consumption overrules the preservation. The activities at different education levels needs to be strengthened in order to protect against environmental hazards and improve sustainable development in the field of traditional medicine by changing individual behavior through proper education starting from primary level. Reforming the existing curriculum and directing toward the nature will mitigate the climate changes due to human intervention and protect the greenery of the peal of the Indian Ocean.