As many as 146 exhibits were displayed in the Indian Traditional Knowledge Exhibition organized by the Coimbatore chapter of the Indian Science Congress Association held in the Kongunadu Arts and Science College here on Wednesday.

Students from 20 schools and 10 colleges also participated in the exhibition in which 120 photographs of most important medicinal plants used by the various tribal communities in India were also displayed along with exhibits covering areas like climate, soil, rain water harvesting, environmental protection, agriculture, medicinal plants, domestic animals, seed storage, man-animal conflict, healthcare and bio-diversity conservation.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Rajeev K. Srivastava, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, said that the scientific validation of our traditional knowledge is the major way to utilize the physical and bio resources effectively.

He also shared about the importance of vegetation firebreak, a traditional method used to control forest fire. “Tribal people have been using the method for long and it has proved effective too,” he said.

C.A. Vasuki, the Convener of the Coimbatore Chapter of Indian Science Congress Association, who presided over the event, said that the country had a long tradition in various areas including culture, civilization, physical and bio-resources.

Meanwhile, more than 3,500 students, research scholars, teachers and general public visited the exhibition.