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4 56 Compiling Records Methods and Approaches Sustainable Living 19 Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainability SARITA ANAND AND DIVYA THIMMAIYA The scientific knowledge is generated by professional scientists through systematic scientific research and experiments, whereas indigenous knowledge is generated by local people through their day to day experiences in facing challenges of nature and society. Like professional scientists, local people also undertake research and experiments, but in contrast to them, they do the research as a part of their daily struggle to survive while wor king to earn their living. As a result, a systematic body of knowledge is created by people through accumulation of experiences, informal experiments and ultimate understanding of the environment in a given culture. Therefore, it is dynamic in nature and is embedded in community practices, institutions, relationships and rituals. “Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is a systematic body of knowledge, acquired by the local people through accumulation of experiences, informal experiments and intimate understanding of environment in a given culture” (Warren, D.M. and B. Rajasekaran). It is a tacit knowledge, which has empirical elements that facilitates communication and decision-making in day-to-day affairs. It is a significant asset commonly held by the communities rather individuals. Tribal people, shamams, rural artisans, women, farmers and cattle rearers Dr. Sarita Anand is a Faculty and Ms. etc are the custodians of indigenous knowledge. They often pass these Divya Thimmaiya a Research Scholar, at adaptive skills and knowledge through generations. Lady Irwin College (University of Delhi), New Delhi There are a number of reasonable, ecologically sound indigenous practices 20 Sustainable Living that contribute to sustainable development in the area formal scientific knowledge. of food preparation, health care, natural resource management, income generation, education, Although some Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) community organization etc. For indigenous people all include sacred texts (IUCN 1997 P 47), but most are elements of the nature – the rivers, trees, land, birds, oral based, often revealed through stories and animals and mountains are sacred and they revere legends. For this reason, it is often difficult to transmit them. They consider these as the gift of god, who is ideas and concepts to those who don’t share the the creator, the preserver and the destroyer. language tradition and cultural experience. Thus, when language is threatened or diminished, the In many parts of the world, the indigenous cultural transmission of Indigenous Knowledge is communities identify the characteristics of different jeopardized (Warren 1991; Gurung nd, IUCN 1997). soils, climate, plants and animal species. They use these resources in limitation and do not exploit the The term Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) refers nature. This is the key of preservation and sustainable to a body of empirical knowledge and beliefs handed use of bio-diversity. The people of the Bishnoi down through generations of long locale by cultural community in Rajasthan and Haryana, for example, transmission about the relationships of living beings rear selective breeds of the cattle and they can with each other and environment. predict about the weather by monitoring the behaviour of these animals. The Kameng and Lohits Type and Uses of Indigenous of Arunanchal Pradesh and people of Kajrat Tribal Knowledge Systems area of Maharashtra have vast knowledge of medicinal plants. There are a number of reasonable ecologically sound indigenous practices that can contribute to Gradually, due to industrialization, modernization and sustainable development. Useful Indigenous westernization, the people have alienated the Knowledge can be found in different fields like health, indigenous knowledge. In the race of economic natural resource management, agriculture, education development, the indigenous knowledge has come at and a host of other fields. the verge of extinction. The epidemics of piracy and patenting of Four forms of Indigenous Knowledge System indigenous knowledge are swallowing the ethnic legacy. The patents on neem, karela, jamun, amla, basmati, turmeric etc are the proof of subjugation of indigenous Relation Nature’s Resource Social knowledge for monetary gains. to land Pharmacy Management Relationship Indigenous people throughout the world, occupying different agro-economical zones have generated vast bodies of knowledge related to Relation to Land : Although indigenous people vary the management of their environment. This store of widely in their customs, culture and impact on land, all knowledge is known by many names. It is termed as consider the earth like a parent and revere it Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, accordingly. The idea that the land can be owned, that Indigenous Technological Knowledge (Howes & it can belong to someone even when left unused, Chambers, 1980), Local Knowledge, Traditional uncared for, or uninhibited is foreign to indigenous Cultural Knowledge, Traditional Ecological people. They understand only too well that to harm Knowledge and Traditional Environmental Knowledge the land is to destroy ourselves, since we are part of (Johnson 1992) denoting slightly different meaning to the same organism. different users of the concept. There is however, consensus amongst scientists using various terms Nature’s Pharmacy : Globally, indigenous people use that such knowledge is linked to a specific place, 3,000 different species of plants to control fertility culture or society, is dynamic in nature, belongs to alone. Almost all trees and many plants have a groups of people who live in close contact with medicinal role. Many developed countries realize the natural systems and contrasts with modern or western potential for indigenous medicines. It is locally Sustainable Living 21 Fig.1: Custodians of Indigenous Knowledge - Shepherds hailing from Rajasthan 22 Sustainable Living available, culturally acceptable, and cheaper than groups is dangerous to the whole. In many cultures imported drugs. Indigenous people work on body and men and women have developed complementary, if mind together to help cure illness. Medicinal plants not equal, roles; political decisions are arrived at by are used to treat the spiritual origins of disease as well consensus in many cultures, and other social as the physical symptoms. The vast knowledge of arrangements that benefit the entire community have such plants is now beginning to be acknowledged by often been incorporated into indigenous cultural the rest of the world. So is the role played by traditions. Marriage can also ensure political stability indigenous people as custodians of the world’s for the community (by regulating exchange between genetic heritage. A botanical survey of India reveal groups), and continuing harmony with the spirit that tribal people of the northeast use plant drugs to world. The notion of marriage as a relationship cure fevers, bronchitis, blood and skin diseases, eye founded only on the bond of romantic love is rarely, if infections, lung and spleen ulcers, diabetes and high ever, seen in traditional societies. The nuclear family, blood pressure. Knowledge of their use is passed on too, is a rare concept. A complex interweaving of by the “vaidyas”, Indian herbal medicine doctors. In a lineage, clan, and family connections means that most single area of 277 sq km (107 sq miles) 210 types of individuals are related to each other, traditions that fosters the sense of belonging to the group, and of the need to share. Indigenous Knowledge: Why is it Important? • It has been recognized that Indigenous Knowledge plays a key role in the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. • Indigenous Knowledge is the foundation for decision making in most day-to-day activities and Fig.2 : livelihood strategies. Traditional • Access to plant genetic resources and other forms of women in biodiversity and the associated Indigenous Bundi Knowledge can provide substantial benefits to companies and scientific research centers in both medicinal plants have been found. Properly studied developed and developing countries. and recorded, this traditional knowledge could • Many activities and products based on Indigenous revolutionize the world of medicine. Knowledge are important sources of income, food and health care for large parts of the populations in Resource Management : The industrial world is many developing countries, including the least facing an ecological crisis. Indigenous people use the developed countries. resources available without depleting them. They use • A number of Indigenous Knowledge-derived their intimate knowledge of plants, soils, animals, products are traded internationally. These include climate and seasons, not to exploit nature but to co- handicrafts, medicinal plants, traditional agricultural exist alongside it. This involves careful management, products and non-wood forest products (NWFPs). control of population, the use of small quantities but a wide diversity of plants and animals, small surpluses, Difficulties for Indigenous Knowledge and minimum wastage. Plants provide food, medicines, Systems pesticides, poisons, building materials and animals provide meat, clothes, string, implements and oil. The three fundamental difficulties that Indigenous Indigenous Knowledge of nature has ensured the Knowledge Systems are facing today are: survival of many people in fragile habitats.

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