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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Traditional knowledge system and sustainability: Social preservation or change?

presenters

    Adrija Bose

    Nationality: India

    Residence: WEST BENGAL

    Presence:Online

    Dr. Hari Charan Behera

    Presence:Online

    Ranju Hasini Sahoo

    Nationality: India

    Residence: India

    Indira Gandhi National Tribal University

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

Indigenous knowledge, displacement, India, livelihood, climate and ecology

Abstract:

Tribal displacement and erosion of natural resources have become an everyday phenomenon in India, adversely affecting the climate and ecology. The rapid rate of human displacement on the pretext of setting up of industries and developmental projects are not only taking a toll on the environment but is also destroying the indigenous life and livelihood system. From that perspective, it can be assumed that the only probable solution to tribal displacements and climate crisis lies in restoring the traditional knowledge system of the indigenous population. In this era where socio-political, educational or economical disparities are widening, the most vulnerable are the indigenous people and their traditional lifestyle. In India where there are millions ethnic groups, their individual traditional knowledge system is considered the social capital of the vulnerable and the poor bearing proof of their daily survival, producing food and shelter for themselves with lesser to almost no negative effect on the forests and the lands they occupy. Intrusion of foreign technology and corporate market system have negatively impacted this reserve of knowledge. This paper will look into how to include the displaced and the vulnerable groups into the restoration of the traditional knowledge system as a way of sustaining the environment and the climate.