ITANAGAR : Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) PhD scholar Likha Rido represented India at the 65th Annual Meeting of the Society for Ethnobotany (SEB) 2026, held in Montpellier, France, from May 31 to June 4.
Rido, a research scholar in the Department of Botany, presented a paper titled “Ethnobotanical Study of the Plants Traditionally Used by the Nyishi Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, India,” highlighting the rich indigenous knowledge, traditional ecological practices and ethnobotanical heritage of the Nyishi community.
His study underscored the importance of preserving traditional plant knowledge and promoting biodiversity conservation through community-based approaches.
The conference brought together more than 230 researchers and experts from 42 countries. Notably, Rido was the sole participant from India invited to present his research, marking a significant achievement for both Arunachal Pradesh and Rajiv Gandhi University.
His presentation received appreciation from international delegates for its contribution to documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge systems. Society for Ethnobotany President-Elect Robbie Hart commended the study and expressed interest in future collaboration to advance research on indigenous plant knowledge and biocultural conservation.
Founded in 1959, the Society for Ethnobotany is the world’s largest professional organisation dedicated to the study of relationships between plants, people and cultures. With members from more than 64 countries, it serves as a leading global platform for ethnobotanical research and the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge.
A native of Neelam village in Keyi Panyor district, Rido is pursuing his doctoral research under the supervision of Botany Department Assistant Professor Dr Tonlong Wangpan. He also serves as a guest lecturer in the Department of Botany at Indira Gandhi Government College, Tezu.
The achievement has brought international recognition to the traditional knowledge systems and biodiversity heritage of Arunachal Pradesh while highlighting the growing global relevance of research emerging from the state.
