India's Traditional Ecological Knowledge
India, with its diversity of people, cultures, and landscapes, is home to vast amounts of traditional ecological knowledge or ecological traditions. This extensive traditional ecological knowledge is the result of thousands of years of man living in close contact with nature. It arises from the long-term, immemorial association of traditional people with the local flora and fauna.
Unlike western science, India's traditional ecological knowledge (like all indigenous knowledge systems) is holistic. It is impregnated with cultural values of respect for all things and of reciprocity towards nature. It is science with a heart and infused with feelings of compassion. It is connected to life.
Traditional ecological knowledge encompasses the fields of medicine, water harvesting, forest management, agriculture, animal care, textile, food, architecture… It governs the management of the land and its resources in a way that ensures the respect of all ecosystems, plants, trees and animals.
Traditional ecological knowledge is sustainable and therefore forms the basis of an ecological way of life. Scientists, environmentalists… are increasingly ready to recognize indigenous people's traditional ecological knowledge as a potential source of ideas for new models of environmental conservation and sustainable development. TEK's contribution is increasingly becoming more and more significant in fields such as ecology, conservation biology, forestry, wildlife sciences, botany (medicinal plants), organic agriculture, and natural resource management.
Unfortunately, traditional knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct because of economic and cultural changes. Revitalization of indigenous knowledge is therefore necessary and absolutely essential for survival of the planet.
Unlike western science, India's traditional ecological knowledge (like all indigenous knowledge systems) is holistic. It is impregnated with cultural values of respect for all things and of reciprocity towards nature. It is science with a heart and infused with feelings of compassion. It is connected to life.
Traditional ecological knowledge encompasses the fields of medicine, water harvesting, forest management, agriculture, animal care, textile, food, architecture… It governs the management of the land and its resources in a way that ensures the respect of all ecosystems, plants, trees and animals.
Traditional ecological knowledge is sustainable and therefore forms the basis of an ecological way of life. Scientists, environmentalists… are increasingly ready to recognize indigenous people's traditional ecological knowledge as a potential source of ideas for new models of environmental conservation and sustainable development. TEK's contribution is increasingly becoming more and more significant in fields such as ecology, conservation biology, forestry, wildlife sciences, botany (medicinal plants), organic agriculture, and natural resource management.
Unfortunately, traditional knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct because of economic and cultural changes. Revitalization of indigenous knowledge is therefore necessary and absolutely essential for survival of the planet.
