The Nicobarese tribes and their coastal fishing activities during the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions- preliminary findings

We interviewed the Nicobarese tribal community (N = 95) of Car Nicobar Island situated in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, India to analyze the impact of COVID-19-related restrictions on their coastal fishing activities. Our surveys revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the average monthly income and fish catches during pre and post-COVID-19 scenarios. Constraints faced during the pandemic-related restrictions and the possible solutions to reinforce the fishing activities were highlighted for sustainable resource management in Car Nicobar Island.

Maternal lineage of Nicobari pig (Sus scrofa nicobaricus) correlated with migration of Nicobarese, a native tribal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Nicobari pig is reared by Nicobarese, a native tribal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Nicobari pig has maintained its genetic identity due to geographical isolation. This communication is the first report on maternal inheritance of Nicobari pigs. DNA polymorphism data showed seven haplotypes. D-loop sequence information and mitogenome analysis were able to earmark Nicobari pigs to Asian clade. The domestication process of pigs and its expansion pattern help to understand human migration pattern. Based on this hypothesis, this communication elucidates the probable origin of Nicobarese. Earlier studies indicated that Nicobarese had genetic affinities to races distributed in China, Malaysia and Thailand. Our data on maternal inheritance of Nicobari pig correlates with the data on migration of Nicobarese. Moreover, we could establish a novel connection of Nicobarese with people of Northeastern parts of India, Philippines and Vietnam through phylogenetic signal and geographical provenance of Nicobari pig. We further concluded that migration of Nicobarese happened during Western route of migration (WRM) ∼4000 years before present. Therefore, we propose one wave hypothesis of peopling of Nicobar based on our study and existence of Ausrtroasiatic language, Mon-Khmer in these islands.

Nutritional Status of Preschool Children in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Food Insecurity, Food Groups, and Nutrient Consumption among Population

Background:

Childhood undernutrition is a public health concern in India. But on such a serious issue, there are no data available from the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar (A and N) Islands.

Objectives:

Present study was designed to know the prevalence of food insecurity, to estimate food group and nutrient intake among the community, and undernutrition and clinical signs of micronutrient deficiency among the preschool children of A and N islands.

Materials and Methods:

Multistage random sampling was followed to select the households containing children aged 6-59 months. In the selected households' sociodemographic particulars, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), among preschoolers the weight and height were recorded along with the documentation of clinical signs of micronutrient deficiency, morbidities suffered over previous fortnight, and measurement of hemoglobin. Diet survey was carried out in every fourth household.

Results:

A total of 1259 preschoolers residing in 1082 households were examined, HFIAS was measured in 710 households in Andaman group of islands and diet survey was conducted in 290 households. The prevalence of undernutrition was around 27%, stunting was 36%, and anemia was around 81%. Undernutrition and anemia prevalence were significantly low among Nicobarese children. After adjusting for all the determinants, tribal in domicile had favorable outcome [odds ratio (OR): 0.28 (0.18, 0.43)], while below poverty line family had adverse outcome on undernutrition [OR: 1.72 (1.20, 2.46)].

Conclusion:

Though the prevalence of undernutrition is relatively low in the islands, but high prevalence of anemia needs to be addressed. Nicobarese children fare better in almost all indicators of nutritional well-being except for stunting.

Key Messages:

The prevalence of undernutrition is relatively low in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Nicobarese children fare better in almost all indicators of nutritional well-being. However high prevalence of stunting among Nicobarese children needs further research with appropriate methodology. High prevalence of anemia in the islands needs to be addressed. A socially and culturally specific intervention strategy needs to be envisaged.

Antimicrobial and antimalarial properties of medicinal plants used by the indigenous tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

In this study, methanol extracts of six medicinal plants (Alstonia macrophylla, Claoxylon indicum, Dillenia andamanica, Jasminum syringifolium, Miliusia andamanica and Pedilanthus tithymaloides) traditionally used by Nicobarese tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were studied for antimicrobial and antimalarial activities as well as preliminary photochemical analysis. Plants were collected from Car Nicobar of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the ethnobotanical data were gathered from traditional healers who inhabit the study area. The methanol extracts were obtained by cold percolation method and the antimicrobial activity was found using agar well diffusion method. Among the plants tested, J. syringifolium, D. andamanica, C. indicum were most active. The antimalarial activity was evaluated against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive MRC-2 isolate. The crude extract of M. andamanica showed excellent antimalarial activity followed by extracts of P. tithymaloides, J. syringifolium and D. andamanica. The chemical injury to erythrocytes was also carried out and it showed that, there were no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the methanol crude extracts. The in vitro antimicrobial and antimalarial activity might be due to the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, tannins and saponins in the methanol extracts of tested plants.

Pattern of Dermatoses Among Nicobarese in a Community Health Camp at Nancowry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Background:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands to the east of the Indian mainland. The Nicobar district in its southern part includes the Nancowry group. Very little is known about the dermatoses in this remote region and hence, this study was carried out at a community medical camp held in Kamorta on November 12, 2014.

Aims:

To study the pattern of dermatoses in Nicobarese attending a community medical camp at Nancowry.

Subjects and Methods:

All Nicobarese, predominantly mongoloid, attending a multi-specialty community medical camp at Kamorta on November 12, 2014, were initially seen by a general practitioner. Persons with dermatologic complaints or the presence of skin lesions were then seen by a single dermatologist.

Results:

A total of 375 patients were seen. Out of these, 113 cases (30.13%) had a skin disorder. Females comprised 50.44% and males 49.56% of the cases. The mean age was 21.28 years. The most common dermatoses were infections and infestations comprising 53 cases (46.9%) of which fungal infections were seen in 25 cases (22.12%), pyodermas in 12 cases (10.62%), scabies in 9 cases (7.96%), warts in 4 cases (3.54%), 1 case each of molluscum contagiosum, herpes zoster, and pediculosis capitis (0.88%) followed by eczema in 20 cases (17.70%), acne in 13 cases (11.5%), papular urticaria in 9 cases (7.96%), and psoriasis in 3 cases (2.65%). Miscellaneous dermatoses made up the rest of the 15 cases (13.27%).

Conclusion:

The pattern of dermatoses seen among the Nicobarese is quite similar with respect to the prevalence of infections in other regions of India, especially humid regions such as Assam, coastal Karnataka, and Kolkata and much higher than arid regions such as the deserts of Rajasthan.

Ethno medicine and healthcare practices among Nicobarese of Car Nicobar - an indigenous tribe of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This study is an attempt to document the use of medicinal plants by Nicobarese tribe from the Car Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Inspite of the availability of modern healthcare facilities tribal people often take herbal medicines and Traditional Knowledge Practitioners (TKPs) serve as the local medical experts in Car Nicobar Island.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the TKPs of Nicobarese tribe of the inhabitants of Car Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field research was conducted in 15 villages of Car Nicobar Island during March 2011-February 2012. TKPs were interviewed with a questionnaire-guided ethnomedical survey protocol. The data obtained were quantitatively analysed using the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). Voucher specimens of all cited plants were collected and deposited at Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), Port Blair.

RESULTS

Use of 150 medicinal plant species, belonging to 122 genera encompassing 59 families were recorded during the survey. These 150 species are employed to treat 47 different medicinal uses, divided into nine categories of use. The highest ICF (0.68) was obtained for the gastrointestinal system. The Euphorbiaceae family exhibited the highest number of citations, and the species with the highest UVs were Morinda citrifolia L., Tabernaemontana crispa Roxb. and Colubrina asiatica (L.) Brongn. Of the medicinal plants reported, the most common growth form was shrubs (28%). Among several parts of individual plant species which are used, leaves constitute the major portion in preparation of medicines. Remedies were generally prepared using water as the excipient.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is an attempt to document the use of medicinal plants from the Car Nicobar Island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the identified plants.