Use of traditional knowledge in sustainable forest management and provisioning of ecosystem services in Jharkhand, India
Before Scientific knowledge on forest management, local and indigenous communities living in and around forests managed forest and associated landscapes managed forests in such a way which conserved forests and ecosystem, sustained their livelihood and culture. The tribals and other rural people residing in and around forest areas of Jharkhand, an eastern state of India, have their own traditional knowledge (TK) which they acquired by experience during sustainable use of natural resources. Hence such knowledge has the potential value for sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and provisioning of Ecosystem services. Traditional Knowledge encompasses a profound belief system associated with ecosystem, livelihoods, ethno medicinal practices, use of natural resources etc. and pass from generation to generation through legends, folk stories, folk songs etc. A study was carried out to know trajectories of SFM development and the role of the TK for SFM in Jharkhand, India. The study reflects that these TK are associated with practices like conservation through Sacred Grove, celebrating festivals based on the nature, taboos, social belief and various other practices which have been helpful in SFM. But in the contemporary globalization and commercialization, there is risk of erosion of such TK. Hence their documentation is necessary. Documentation of data related to traditional use of medicinal plants and other NTFPs like Lac, Silk, and Bamboo etc. for livelihood were done involving three major steps. These are – identification of medicinal plants and other NTFPs used for livelihood and other purposes, documentation of traditional uses and traditional knowledge associated with these NTFPs, and finally exploring how TK and scientific knowledge can be harmonized for SFM. Government policy in India and Jharkhand in this regard has brought about radical changes. With the adoption of Resolution related to Join Forest Management, enactment of Forest Right Act 2006, and implementing Forest Working plan Code 2014 by Government, there has been a perceptible change in approach towards assimilation of TK in SFM. The paper also presents how such knowledge and practices can be helpful in provisioning of ecosystem services. Keywords: Ecosystem services, Jharkhand, SFM, TK ID: 3476942
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| Format: | Article biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
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FAO ;
2022
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| Online Access: | https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/CC1331EN http://www.fao.org/3/cc1331en/cc1331en.pdf |
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